Low-cost computing

1
Low-cost computing

• CSE590DW
• Mike Ringenburg
• Steve Wolfman

2
Goals of low-cost computing

• Enable everyone in DW to use computing
  resources/paradigms
• information access
• business transactions
• communication
• education
• document creation

• Simputer harness the potential of IT for
  the benefit of the weaker sections of society
• Jhai PC means of communication and simple
  business tools

3
Simputer design goals

• Priced for per household adoption
• Usable by illiterate/semi-literate pop.
• Support telephone functionality (?)
• Client/server based (little local storage)
• Endemic production/development

4
Simputer design

• between a handheld and a PC
• Software
• IML-based
• Linux OS
• Hardware
• 320x240 stylus-based touch-screen
• Mike speaker
• No keyboard (but a few keys)
• USB port
• strongARM processor
• 32MB DRAM
• smart card 24MB Flash
• 3 AAA power supply
• SGPL license (on hardware)

8cm x 13 cm x 2 cm
5
Design issues

• Base cost
• Maintenance
• hardened vs. free enterprise
• Skills literacy, computer use
• Culture sharing, private enterprise/prop.
• communist vs. free market (??)
• Infrastructure roads, rails, wires, power
• limited potable water, roads, power, etc. vs.
  universal rails/power (??)

6
Volkscomputer

• Base cost 300
• Goal computing access for Brazilian poor
• Design desktop computer
• Modem
• color monitor
• speakers
• Mouse
• simple internet-browser
• modular (e.g., for later printer, disk drive)
• Linux OS
• 300