Ken Novak: Digital DevelopmentCommunications and info tech in developing countries, especially wireless broadband and high-value applications(Untitled)- September 23, 2004 VOIP in development: Good review of VOIP progress from Brian King of Interaction. Among several cases noted was a national developing country provider: "Eguitel Communications in Guinea-Bissau, the only company in Africa with an unrestricted VOIP license, included CrystalVoice software as a key technology in their plan for rural telecenters. The company plans to buy software licenses to support 24 simultaneous phone conversations. CrystalVoice offers a broad range of approaches and..http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/09/22.html#a2461 (Untitled)- September 18, 2004 Magic Bike :: Wireless Access Bike: Fun combination of 'art' and tech: "magicbike is a mobile WiFi (wireless Internet) hotspot that gives free Internet connectivity wherever its ridden or parked. By turning a common bicycle into a wireless hotspot, Magicbike explores new delivery and use strategies for wireless networks and modern-day urbanites. Wireless bicycles disappear into the urban fabric and bring Internet to yet unserved spaces and communities. Mixing public art with...http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/09/17.html#a2436 (Untitled)- September 18, 2004 Indian state rolls out wireless broadband: "An Indian state has launched wireless broadband to provide connectivity in rural areas unreachable by traditional telephone lines or cellular phone services. The community Internet kiosks, named Akshaya, have been set up by the Kerala State IT Mission Department. More than 550 of the kiosks have been opened in the Mallapuram district, spread over 3,500 square kilometers. .. Five Wi-Fi hotspots have also been established around government offices and a.http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/09/17.html#a2434 (Untitled)- September 18, 2004 Reddy's PCTVt: "a $250 gizmo that does a whole bunch of things: a computer, a TV, a DVD player, a videophone -- a PCTVt. "I kept asking myself, What would the device have to do for someone on the other side of the digital divide, to be desirable"wondered Raj Reddy, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. The answer, he decided, was a simple device that would offer entertainment. This November, Reddy hopes to begin installing the first 100 prototypes of the PCTVt in India and possibly...http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/09/17.html#a2432 (Untitled)- September 16, 2004 Low cost email over satellite: Nice analysis of RBGAN costs by Humaninet. Result is 12-18 cents per average message.http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/09/15.html#a2428 (Untitled)- September 16, 2004 Electrovaya - Powerpad: Laptop extender batteries that fit under the unit and supply power for "up to 12 hours" when fully charged. $200-500.http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/09/15.html#a2427 (Untitled)- September 16, 2004 SunWize Portable Energy System: "The SunWize Portable Energy System converts sunlight into electricity, allowing the user freedom to recharge a handset or other portable device anywhere the sun shines. The system is lightweight, weather-resistant, highly durable, .. UL listed, CE certified and has a system output of 8.5 watts. Built into the product is the patented SunWize OPTI-Meter LCD metering system that instantly measures sunlight intensity and allows optimum placement of the...http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/09/15.html#a2426 (Untitled)- September 15, 2004 DIGITAL LITERACY FOR DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS: Announcing a new online course, "Digital Literacy for Agricultural Professionals": "A growing number of agricultural professionals now have Internet access but many are not quite sure what resources this makes available, how to best access these resources, or how to use the Internet in support of their work or to develop themselves professionally. This course is designed to help learners overcome these uncertainties"http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/09/15.html#a2425 (Untitled)- September 15, 2004 Design that Matters: "DtM acts as bridge to bring problems identified by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the communities into the classroom for university engineering and business students to tackle in their courses and research. " Affiliated with MIT and a design course there.http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/09/15.html#a2424 (Untitled)- September 15, 2004 TechSoup Skillsoft online training: Tech courses available to nonprofit staff at cut rates ($35-150) until end-2004.http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/09/15.html#a2423 |