Hi Cory, Obviously you'll want to do your own testing first, but in my experience netbooks aren't really that rugged. It's nice that they are often solid state, but I think they're just made so cheaply that they are intended to be disposable. A couple friends of mine had them in TZ and both broken within a month. On one the LCD screen gave out inexplicably. For the other, I think there was some power issue during an upgrade that left the machine unbootable and unrestorable (so maybe was more his fault than the first).
Low price is good, but when it means a cheap/disposable product then your costs to maintain it go way up. Brian On Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 11:56 PM, Bush, Cory <CBush at tns.org> wrote: > Thanks Yaw and Clint. ?Price point is certainly a concern, especially given > the fact that these will be used for smallholder cooperatives which will > require multiple devices per group. ?I think that Symbol is a bit expensive > for these purposes, we're certainly more focused on appropriate smartphones. > > Netbooks could be an option, but we would need some sort of protective skins > and power/charging is another concern as these villages are off the > electricity grid. ?Given your understanding of the power consumption of > netbooks, do you think it would be realistic for them to operate for 6-8 > hours per day while also powering a scale / printer? ?Are there reasonably > priced solar options which could provide a sufficient power source while the > sun is shining? > > Thanks again for the thoughts. > > Cory > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Clint Tseng [mailto:cxlt at cs.washington.edu] > Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 8:52 PM > To: Yaw Anokwa > Cc: Bush, Cory; change > Subject: Re: [change] Digital scale / transaction recording device > > I'm not sure about the scale part, but I was down at Marination Mobile > the other day and they had a really slick looking point to sale app on > an iPhone that talked wirelessly to a small battery powered receipt > printer; might be a better price point and form factor depending on > whether you can get it unlocked, etc. > > ?Clint > > On Dec 10, 2009, at 9:35 AM, Yaw Anokwa <yanokwa at gmail.com> wrote: > >> for ruggedized mobile devices of the kind you are describing, your >> best bet is http://www.trimble.com or http://www.symbol.com. >> >> you could also try a netbook with a gsm slot paired with a usb receipt >> printer and a usb scale would get you 90% of the way there. the >> netbook could likely power both of those devices. you could likely >> swap the netbook for a smart phone (say android running open data kit) >> but phones with usb master support are hard to find... >> >> On Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 01:18, Bush, Cory <CBush at tns.org> wrote: >>> Greetings all, >>> >>> I?m trying to scope a solution for coffee cooperatives here in Rwa >>> nda that >>> will enhance transparency into the sale of coffee at small >>> community-level >>> collection points, and would appreciate any thoughts / ideas / device >>> recommendations. ?Basic requirements would include: >>> >>> - ? ? ? A digital scale capable of weighing up to 30kg >>> >>> - ? ? ? Ability to capture transaction information including: ID#, >>> price per >>> kilo, KG delivered, coffee grade, collector ID#, payment type (cash/ >>> bank) >>> >>> - ? ? ? Ability to generate a paper receipt >>> >>> - ? ? ? Ability to transmit transaction information in real-time if >>> mobile >>> data network available or store-and-forward batches if data network >>> unavailable >>> >>> - ? ? ? Ability to generate daily/weekly/monthly reconciliation or >>> summary >>> reports >>> >>> - ? ? ? Ideally the scale, transaction device, and printer would be >>> integrated, but not necessary >>> >>> - ? ? ? Device(s) should have low power requirements, and be able to >>> function for a full day between charges or be powerable via standard >>> batteries. >>> >>> - ? ? ? Device(s) should be rugged enough for use in rural settings >>> >>> Thanks in advance for any insight, >>> >>> Cory >>> >>> Cory Bush >>> RW Mobile: +250-788-309287 >>> >>> RW Office: ?+250-252-580414 >>> Skype: corycbush >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> change mailing list >>> change at change.washington.edu >>> http://changemm.cs.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/change >>> >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> change mailing list >> change at change.washington.edu >> http://changemm.cs.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/change > _______________________________________________ > change mailing list > change at change.washington.edu > http://changemm.cs.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/change >
