Simon P. Ditner wrote:
Some of you might remember Mark mentioning this when he was in Toronto
back in May....
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http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-VoIP-Bicycle-5090.shtml
The VoIP Bicycle
Category: SOFTPEDIA NEWS :: Trends :: Technologies
A possible solutions for remote areas
Although we're living in the XXI'st century, and the development of
technology seems to know no boundaries, there are about 1 billion
persons out there who don't even benefit from one the most basic
utilizes: electrical power.
Practically, without power, there can be no telecommunications. Or are
we wrong? It looks like we might be, because Inveneo, a nonprofit
group of inveterate high-tech adventurers, has just found a solution
to this problem, according to Ephraim Schwartz for InfoWorld.
Thus, the group has developed a Linux-based VoIP system, which has a
very special feature. It's powered by the electric current obtained
from pedaling on a bicycle, connected to a dynamo and a power adapter.
Inveneo puts everything together with off-the-shelf hardware that is
low-cost, easily replaced, and — it is hoped — easy to troubleshoot
and fix.
The bicycle-powered system brings not just VoIP but also e-mail and
Web browsing to remote areas, using a combination of Linux and the
Asterisk open source PBX., and uses Wi-Fi networking to route traffic
to a central hub with existing phone infrastructure, with a range as
far as 100 miles.
The bicycle, mostly used as a backup to solar power, gives the rider
one hour on the phone for every 15 minutes of work. Isn't it tempting?
Physical exercise and communications, all in one package
What a wonderful idea! My girlfriend's cottage about 3 hours N/E of Toronto.
Unfortunatly, there's no Hydro so all the power has to be generated by
solar cells.
She is constantly complaining about her wieght so this could be a great
solution with
the added bonus that she will now be able to use the hair dryer!
Life just keeps getting better ....
Henry
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