Dear GKD Members, Tom Abeles is absolutely right, and I do like his slogan about not "trying to make the past cheaper".
To this I would add that this is an area where market forces do work to our benefit, the large volumes of potential sales in phones and music players and the strong competition means that the technology gets both cheaper and better. Let us ride that wave. By contrast any purpose developed solution like these proliferating $100 computers don't have a market, unless you view wealthy but possibly gullible donor agencies as a market, and are using old technologies that will be left ever further behind. The only thing that leaves me uncomfortable in this is that we are relying on a trickle down effect - market forces in the west may be creating benefits that can be picked in emerging economies. Pat Hall On 7/21/2005, Tom Abeles wrote: > I think that it is "nice" to think about the $100 computer. But one > needs to remember that cell phones are ubiquitous and relatively low > cost. One post secondary education institution is developing curricula > using the cell phone as the device of choice for their students. Cells > that are both WiFi and work on the cellular bands are on the market, and > some are predicting the $2 cell phone which is "printed", realizing that > these can be built up with the proper inks, which are even being used to > make mechanical devices. > > Also, think about iPods and where the next generation is going to be, > rather than trying to make the past cheaper. ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
