Wood PCs For A Nepalese School 279
An Anonymous Coward writes: "The BBC runs a story about a Nepalese teacher who collects
old computer parts to set up the first computer-equipped school in
Nepal. They assemble the parts into wooden boxes! If you have old parts left, maybe you can donate something, too."
Old Computer Parts (Score:5, Informative)
(1) Gathering your stuff to send
(2) Packing carefully
(3) Finding out how much shipping will cost
(4) Send that amount of money
Students For Change (Score:3, Informative)
Not only are they working on their computer skill,s but small-business skills as well. Although I'm not sure what they'd use SB skills for, being a tiny, isolated rural communtiy, but it might be a good idea.
People are stupid (Score:4, Informative)
Re:How cold does it get in Nepal? (Score:2, Informative)
As for the legitimacy of the software, even if M$ cared about software piracy in the sub 'thousands and thousands of dollars' range (which, finacially speaking, they don't) I doubt they would be eager to be the corporate baddies who sued a small nepalese village. More likely you would see M$ step in and donate at least a couple office suites - maybe even a few computers. Of course, the publicity on this guy would have to be astronomical to blip bright enough on the M$ radar to warrant any attention.
Re: If not us, WHO? (Score:2, Informative)
Because I'm not slime, I've written to the BBC asking for more information about where and what WE (the rich US techies) could send to the Nepalese students. When I get more info I'll post it...but at least they'll be getting a shipment from *me*.
Hmph.
ST
Re:I made a wooden pc once. (Score:1, Informative)
A bit pricey, but they look nice.
Shipping costs. (Score:2, Informative)
(4) Send that amount of money
I suppose that will cover the cost of shipping for the new system? My $50 in shipping (cost per pound from US to Japan, rough memory, bad logic leap) will provide a box full of parts that can build or upgrade several computers. My $50 check won't get them a single motherboard, much less pay for it's shipping. My step 3 is to mail the box.
The bigger problem is of computer in Nepali (Score:2, Informative)
I have seen computers being placed in many villages and school - which are ultimately monopolised by people who can understand English. The majority of students are required to understand english - before they can use computers, which is a problem. With the Unicode implementations of Devnagari (the Nepali Script), this may be possible - but can someone point out to any serious work that is being done.
Also, line-of-sight wireless would probably not be so useful as it's a hilly area. If it was remotely possible for the Telco to provide better telephone system (out of the many systems they use), they would do it - as it turns out to be chepaer for them.
I wouldn't worry about wooden casing, as it looks like it's open on one side, so that he can connect keyboard, mouse and monitors.
It is factually incorrect that it is the only school with comptuers for high school students. I know of at least two examples, one from the capital and one from a district in far western nepal.
If i get chance to visit these guys - i will report back to the
cheers
gaurab
another computer development project in Nepal (Score:2, Informative)
I can't help but wonder if some technical books might be even harder to get (and correspondingly useful as donations) than x486 class hardware components.
-emile