16-05-2012, 05:28 PM
Simputer
simputer prjct.docx (Size: 445.85 KB / Downloads: 46)
. INTRODUCTION
The Simputer is a self-contained, open hardware handheld computer, designed for use in environments where computing devices such as personal computers are deemed inappropriate. PicoPeta Simputers Pvt. Ltd unveils Amida Simputer for the retail market.
It's simple, it's portable. At about Rs. 9,000 per piece, it's highly affordable. It is compatible with your everyday PC, helps you check e-mail, browse the Net, keep accounts, and get information. When the invention of the Simputer (Simple Computer) was announced in 2001, it instantly captured the imagination of the world. The venerable New York Times called it the most important invention of 2001 ahead of Apples G4 and Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system. Here was a computer that was rewriting every rule associated with computers.
The goal of the Simputer project is to harness the potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the benefit of the weakest sections of society. The software developed by the Simputer Trust will be underGNU GPL and the hardware developed will be under Simputer General Public License (SGPL).
The Simputer is a low cost portable alternative to PCs, by which the benefits of IT can reach the common man.
It has a special role in the third world because it ensures that illiteracy is no longer a barrier to handling a computer. The key to bridging the digital divide is to have shared devices that permit truly simple and natural user interfaces based on sight, touch and audio. The Simputer meets these demands through a browser for the Information Markup Language (IML). IML has been created to provide a uniform experience to users and to allow rapid development of solutions on any platform.
The definition of the Simputer as a Simple Inexpensive Multilingual Computer is important in surveying its projected uses. The Simputer was originally planned to be a stand-alone computing device with a simple user interface, and features like speech synthesis that made it work for very low-attainment users. Various usage models were considered, but the key to the ‘Inexpensive’ aspect was the shared model.
The device was to enable large groups of users to share one device, possibly purchased communally. Individual users were expected to own smart cards that enabled them to store their information offline. A potential owner for a Simputer would thus be a village council, or a cooperative, or any group of people willing to share it. Public funds could potentially be applied towards such purchases.
The simplicity aspect was to be addressed through a very friendly interface with intuitive panels and graphics. The shared usage model also relied on the Multilingual feature. Speech-enabled devices in homes were expected to play an inclusive role in the more remote regions of India, where literacy can be low. Users would also be enabled to use online communications through the devices for a variety of daily tasks that could be made easier using technology.
An alternate usage model was mediator-oriented, in which the end-users of the Simputer were to be traveling data gathering professionals, often working in remote parts of India. In this case, the Simputer would work much like a PDA, but enabled with its unique features, it offered a potentially easier learning curve for rural grassroots workers who may or may not be literate enough to use a standard PDA.
Hardware Design decisions took into account the infrastructural shortcomings of India, yet, the device could perform its goals best given some minimum electricity availability and wireless connectivity. The cost saving of the Simputer would have to be seen in its comparison to personal computers – rather than other PDAs. The device itself was originally meant to be priced low by virtue of addressing an entire community’s needs, thus having a lower per-capita cost than an immobile personal computer.
“The Simputer a cheap, pocket-sized computing device designed for use by rural populations in India has been hailed as a breakthrough in bringing the world of computing to the poor”.
What Makes Simputer Different From Regular PCs?
Simputer is not a personal computer. It could however be a pocket computer. It is much more powerful than a Palm, with screen size 320 x 240 and memory capability (32MB RAM). The Wintel (Windows + Intel) architecture of the de facto standard PC is quite unsuitable for deployment on the low cost mass market. The entry barrier due to software licensing is just too high. While the Wintel PC provides a de facto level f standardization, it is not an open architecture. The Simputer mean while is centered around Linux which is freely available, open and modular.
HISTORY
The Simputer project was conceived during the organization of the Global Village, an International Seminar on Information Technology for Developing Countries, conducted during Bangalore IT.com event in October 1998.
Simputer Layout
A discussion paper highlights the need for a low-cost mass access device that will bring local-language IT to the masses. The initial concept paper (PDF version) expanding on the initial discussions introduced the term Simputer as an obvious twist on the word Computer. For the purpose of establishing originality, a slightly more complex acronym was invented to fit the name Simputer: Simple, Inexpensive, Multi-lingual computer. And finally in order to appeal to computer geeks, ridiculously complex recursive acronym was also coined: Simputer: SIMPLE COMPUTER, which expands to Simple, In-expensive Multi-lingual PeopLE's compUTER. The concept paper outlines the technical requirements of the Simputer as well as the applications. However, this paper is quite dated, and useful only as a historic reference.
The writing of the Bangalore Declaration on Information technology for developing countries clarified and fortified the concept of the Simputer and its role in the larger picture. A few items in the Declaration, specifically highlight the role for a Simputer-like device.
When the invention of the Simputer (Simple Computer) was announced in 2001, it instantly captured the imagination of the world. So much so, that the venerable New York Times called it the most important invention of 2001 ahead of Apples G4 and Microsofts Windows XP operating system. Not only was the vision behind the Simputer stunningly ambitious (to bring computing to the gigabyte-less masses, as the London Guardian put it), but here was a computer that was rewriting every rule associated with computers. The goal of the Simputer project is to harness the potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the benefit of the weakest sections of society.
HARDWARE DESIGN.
What exactly is the Simputer? Put quite simply, it is more complex and powerful than a palm top.
For example, in terms of screen size (320x240), memory capabilities (32MB RAM) and the OS (GNU/Linux). It runs on an Intel strong-arm chip. The chip is known for its low power consumption. The Simputer runs on three AAA batteries or off the mains. It can also use rechargeable batteries, but the charger is not built in. Thus, the Simputer is basically a low-cost computer with multiple connectivity options. It will be modular and based entirely on free software from the Open Source Initiative. Its primary input will be a touch-sensitive overlay on the LCD display panel.
simputer prjct.docx (Size: 445.85 KB / Downloads: 46)
. INTRODUCTION
The Simputer is a self-contained, open hardware handheld computer, designed for use in environments where computing devices such as personal computers are deemed inappropriate. PicoPeta Simputers Pvt. Ltd unveils Amida Simputer for the retail market.
It's simple, it's portable. At about Rs. 9,000 per piece, it's highly affordable. It is compatible with your everyday PC, helps you check e-mail, browse the Net, keep accounts, and get information. When the invention of the Simputer (Simple Computer) was announced in 2001, it instantly captured the imagination of the world. The venerable New York Times called it the most important invention of 2001 ahead of Apples G4 and Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system. Here was a computer that was rewriting every rule associated with computers.
The goal of the Simputer project is to harness the potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the benefit of the weakest sections of society. The software developed by the Simputer Trust will be underGNU GPL and the hardware developed will be under Simputer General Public License (SGPL).
The Simputer is a low cost portable alternative to PCs, by which the benefits of IT can reach the common man.
It has a special role in the third world because it ensures that illiteracy is no longer a barrier to handling a computer. The key to bridging the digital divide is to have shared devices that permit truly simple and natural user interfaces based on sight, touch and audio. The Simputer meets these demands through a browser for the Information Markup Language (IML). IML has been created to provide a uniform experience to users and to allow rapid development of solutions on any platform.
The definition of the Simputer as a Simple Inexpensive Multilingual Computer is important in surveying its projected uses. The Simputer was originally planned to be a stand-alone computing device with a simple user interface, and features like speech synthesis that made it work for very low-attainment users. Various usage models were considered, but the key to the ‘Inexpensive’ aspect was the shared model.
The device was to enable large groups of users to share one device, possibly purchased communally. Individual users were expected to own smart cards that enabled them to store their information offline. A potential owner for a Simputer would thus be a village council, or a cooperative, or any group of people willing to share it. Public funds could potentially be applied towards such purchases.
The simplicity aspect was to be addressed through a very friendly interface with intuitive panels and graphics. The shared usage model also relied on the Multilingual feature. Speech-enabled devices in homes were expected to play an inclusive role in the more remote regions of India, where literacy can be low. Users would also be enabled to use online communications through the devices for a variety of daily tasks that could be made easier using technology.
An alternate usage model was mediator-oriented, in which the end-users of the Simputer were to be traveling data gathering professionals, often working in remote parts of India. In this case, the Simputer would work much like a PDA, but enabled with its unique features, it offered a potentially easier learning curve for rural grassroots workers who may or may not be literate enough to use a standard PDA.
Hardware Design decisions took into account the infrastructural shortcomings of India, yet, the device could perform its goals best given some minimum electricity availability and wireless connectivity. The cost saving of the Simputer would have to be seen in its comparison to personal computers – rather than other PDAs. The device itself was originally meant to be priced low by virtue of addressing an entire community’s needs, thus having a lower per-capita cost than an immobile personal computer.
“The Simputer a cheap, pocket-sized computing device designed for use by rural populations in India has been hailed as a breakthrough in bringing the world of computing to the poor”.
What Makes Simputer Different From Regular PCs?
Simputer is not a personal computer. It could however be a pocket computer. It is much more powerful than a Palm, with screen size 320 x 240 and memory capability (32MB RAM). The Wintel (Windows + Intel) architecture of the de facto standard PC is quite unsuitable for deployment on the low cost mass market. The entry barrier due to software licensing is just too high. While the Wintel PC provides a de facto level f standardization, it is not an open architecture. The Simputer mean while is centered around Linux which is freely available, open and modular.
HISTORY
The Simputer project was conceived during the organization of the Global Village, an International Seminar on Information Technology for Developing Countries, conducted during Bangalore IT.com event in October 1998.
Simputer Layout
A discussion paper highlights the need for a low-cost mass access device that will bring local-language IT to the masses. The initial concept paper (PDF version) expanding on the initial discussions introduced the term Simputer as an obvious twist on the word Computer. For the purpose of establishing originality, a slightly more complex acronym was invented to fit the name Simputer: Simple, Inexpensive, Multi-lingual computer. And finally in order to appeal to computer geeks, ridiculously complex recursive acronym was also coined: Simputer: SIMPLE COMPUTER, which expands to Simple, In-expensive Multi-lingual PeopLE's compUTER. The concept paper outlines the technical requirements of the Simputer as well as the applications. However, this paper is quite dated, and useful only as a historic reference.
The writing of the Bangalore Declaration on Information technology for developing countries clarified and fortified the concept of the Simputer and its role in the larger picture. A few items in the Declaration, specifically highlight the role for a Simputer-like device.
When the invention of the Simputer (Simple Computer) was announced in 2001, it instantly captured the imagination of the world. So much so, that the venerable New York Times called it the most important invention of 2001 ahead of Apples G4 and Microsofts Windows XP operating system. Not only was the vision behind the Simputer stunningly ambitious (to bring computing to the gigabyte-less masses, as the London Guardian put it), but here was a computer that was rewriting every rule associated with computers. The goal of the Simputer project is to harness the potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the benefit of the weakest sections of society.
HARDWARE DESIGN.
What exactly is the Simputer? Put quite simply, it is more complex and powerful than a palm top.
For example, in terms of screen size (320x240), memory capabilities (32MB RAM) and the OS (GNU/Linux). It runs on an Intel strong-arm chip. The chip is known for its low power consumption. The Simputer runs on three AAA batteries or off the mains. It can also use rechargeable batteries, but the charger is not built in. Thus, the Simputer is basically a low-cost computer with multiple connectivity options. It will be modular and based entirely on free software from the Open Source Initiative. Its primary input will be a touch-sensitive overlay on the LCD display panel.