jtd wrote:
Multiply that by 20000 to cover just four metros and see.
Any decent FM Tx setup with a recorded speech memory will also cost 1K
to 2K. The price of the WAPs can be brought down with mass procurement.
We need the populated circuit boards only, not cabinet, power pack, etc.
Besides the
cost of having 802.11 in every handheld user device.
If u need interaction a central webserver does the job far better.
Access that using gprs or cdma cell phone.
This is service provider dependent and they will want their pound of
flesh. By having a local system, local population volunteers can
*occasionaly* maintain it and update new records. Plus as Vicram has
mentioned, on a cell shut-down day, the network will be down.
The problem of orientation is solved by the rails. Each bar can
announce it's unique id e.g prabhadevi c. So interactive user enters
url http:// mydirections.org/prabhadevi/c/passportoffice
Not practical as a user in hurry cannot be expected to type out a long
url. If rail announcers are anyway used then a silght extra cost allows
WAPs to be used.
and
webserver serves up ogg in Amitabh baritone"walk ten paces, turn
left, buy asprin at Sar dard chemist stituated at twenty paces and
TOI newspaper (both will pay ofcourse to have their brands annouced
by Holy rail server), walk ten paces, you are at passport office
swallow asprin and enter."
Very True! This text can be added in the web page which will be read out
in the receiving device.
You would want COTS hardware to allow easy availability and
maintanence. While it is easy to reduce capital costs by customising,
it is a nightmare to maintain for even small periods - particularly
in this case where there is no likely hood of a sustainable revenue
stream.
Once the devices are installed, the only maintainence mainly required
would be updating new records, which will be done using the same
software that was used for setup. For breakdowns, the company that
provides the hardware would provide extra units for repair/exchange.
The use of a standard 802.11 interface will allow any wireless
device of that standard to operate as the receiver, depending on
the user's purchasing power. Any handheld device can suffice. A
special low cost version can be developed by using the Simputer
type technology.
That was one big farce without an iota of thought about what it was
actually trying to do. Grep the list archives a couple of yrs back
for some interesting info.
Accepted.
It was meant to be a hand held computer with a
wireless network interface and cost approx. 5K to 10K rupees. Our
version need not have any graphics or modem and would simply
download and play the web pages into a headphone, with a
keyboard.
Use a gprs / cdma cell phone. You can never hope in hell to get a
better price, availability and service which would be the exact
opposit of any custom 802.11 device which a person has to carry
merely to find dirctions that he may require occasionally.
That brings up a balancing solution. Nowadays new phones and devices are
coming with built-in 802.11 interfaces. So while the user uses the phone
for normal communication, it has a small application running in the
background to detect railing web pages and automatically download them.
If we have members who are familiar with the 802.11 device, then they
can help in making our own separate receiver that will...
1. Have an 802.11 interface.
2. A small platforn for running applications.
3. An audio interface.
Alternatively we can also see if mobile phone manufacturers are willing
to provide cheap handsets with a basic phone function and 802.11
interface only. I believe Motorola is one such company thats trying to
make low cost handsets. Once a prototype is available, mass production
will bring down costs. If it is meant to help in guiding people with
special needs, then more companies may provide technical assistance. If
we pioneer such a system, it can go abroad too.
IMP: I am just playing the devils advocate and not trying to put down
good ideas (although i disagree on their utility for the problem on
hand).
Your analysis is bringing out better alternatives and thats why I admire
your foresight. So please put in as many issues that you foresee so that
by the time we start, we already have an improvised model to work on.
Regards,
Rony.
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