Dave & Bryan, Thanks so much for sharing this information.
One other piece of information that I learned, but need to verify is that Cambodia will "tax" imported computers. I got this information from a vendor in country, but have yet to verify it. Beth -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dave A. Chakrabarti Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2005 1:39 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Hardware Acquisition for ctc/computer training room inThird World Dear Bryan, Beth, others, On the issue of laptops / desktops: While I agree that desktops are much easier to maintain than laptops, especially in a humid environment (laptops, because of their smaller form factor, have much more of a problem with heat dissipation / moisture accumulation) I'd also like to point out that a great deal of flexibility is offered in a mobile computing environment. In the US, perhaps, this isn't as relevant...it is easy (relatively) to find computing resources and internet connections across most major US cities, and even in more rural areas. In India or Cambodia, however, a mobile lab might mean the ability to deliver technology exposure / training to a village that would otherwise have no access to such technology. In so many situations, it is impossible to bring your target audience to your center in the third world (I use "Third World" to mean a developing nation). They cannot simply drive in from miles away as they do here in the US. The problem of geographic availability of services is much more acute, and the distances you can deliver a solution (and therefore, the populations you can target) are much smaller. This means that your option is either to develop a mobile solution, or develop lab spaces in every village you wish to serve. Bryan does not have quite the same problem, as he is located in a major city. I'd compare the costs of setting up a laptop-based mobile unit not with the costs of building a central, desktop-oriented space, but with the cost of setting up immobile centres in every locality you want to serve. If you're in a major city, and feel you can do this with a centralized location, then Bryan's recommendations are applicable...you don't need the extra hassles of dealing with laptop maintenance and hardware. If not, then laptops may be the only solution. Further laptop issues: Laptops are all *different*...much more different than desktops. Someone who can repair a Toshiba Satellite series machine may have no clue how to even open a Dell. This is very, very different from desktop computer hardware, and keep in mind that if you're going with donated machines, you'll likely have a random mixture of makes and models. Bryan: You're in Lake Gardens! I spent much of my childhood there, and have many fond memories. I'll have to remember to visit you next time I'm home. Hope this helps...my first posting to the list. Dave. -- Dave A. Chakrabarti Project Coordinator CTCNet Chicago [EMAIL PROTECTED] Uddami Computer Training Centre wrote: >Dear Beth, >Ive been helping to run an ICT in Kolkata India for several years now. Here are a few opinions based on our experience: > 1) Mobile is great but the laptops will need extra planning and support. > During the months of high heat and humidity you will have to protect them > with greater care than a desktop machine. We have problems during the months > of September/October when the humidity seems to be greatest here. > If you have a mobile air-conditioned environment, great. Otherwise you will > need to keep the laptops wrapped when not in use and have fans going > when in operation to keep them from accumulating moisture. > > 2) Laptops require greater expertise to repair than desktops so before bringing > them into the country make sure you know of someone who definitely can > repair them. Bring spare parts also if possible > > 3) In general we prefer to purchase in country. This is because most of the > donated computers are not worth shipping that far, going through customs > and other hassles versus what can be bought here. Of course India has a > much larger domestic market for computers than Cambodia. You also might have > more control over the quality of the computers than over a typical donation. > Perhaps you could purchase in India or Thailand and then bring > in????? > > >I would really think hard about how to make your center mobile. >Desktops are much cheaper, more reliable and easier to keep running than laptops in these challenging environments. > >Good Luck >bryan forst >Uddami Computer Training Centre >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >http://www.uddami.org/uctc > > > > _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
