Tina and others,

The Simputer is an interesting example of a new, inexpensive computer  
-- it is produced in India and perhaps still only available there.   
It is a small, (under $200) portable computer (about the size of a  
PDA I think) and was designed both for low-literate adults and for  
those who want a very small, portable computer in addition to a home  
or work desktop.  One can write on it -- with a stylus I think -- in  
one's Indian language or in English and the writing is saved as a  
text file which can be transmitted. One can also access the Web.  it  
has a word processing and spreadsheet feature.

I wonder if anyone on the Technology list has used a Simputer  
(combination of Simple and Computer)  and can tell us more about it?

	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simputer

and

	http://www.simputer.org/

David J. Rosen
djrosen at comcast.net


On Dec 14, 2005, at 11:26 AM, Tina_Luffman at yc.edu wrote:


> Hi NIFL,

>

> I also asked my husband last night and he said that another way for  

> students to save money is to buy computers with Linux since it  

> saves the $100+ operating system fee for Windows. He has heard of  

> groups buying up laptops and desktop computers with Linux operating  

> systems to send to third world countries. Some computers are even  

> made with hand cranks for power generation. In Cottonwood, AZ where  

> I live there is actually a non-profit business that recycles  

> computers that people donate and then gives them away to those who  

> can't afford a computer.

>

> Another idea--my daughter's friend just came home from two years in  

> Morocco with the Peace Corps, and her question is this: What is the  

> greater global concern, the technology gap or the literacy gap?  

> What good are computers if the people cannot read in their own  

> language? I do believe that computers are great tools for learning  

> how to read in their own language. Any other input?

>

> Tina

>

>

>

>

> Tina Luffman

> Coordinator, Developmental Education

> Verde Valley Campus

> 928-634-6544

> tina_luffman at yc.edu

>

> -----technology-bounces at nifl.gov wrote: -----

>

> To: The Technology and Literacy Discussion List <technology at nifl.gov>

> From: Tina_Luffman at yc.edu

> Sent by: technology-bounces at nifl.gov

> Date: 12/13/2005 01:25PM

> Subject: Re: [Technology] Helping adult learners buy inexpensive  

> home	computers

>

>

> Hi David and all,

>

> Another good possibility is to have students watch for schools to  

> hold auctions. I know that the school district where my husband  

> works and the college where I work often hold auctions and sell  

> used computers that are still quite usable for a really low price,  

> like < $100.

>

> Tina

>

>

>

> Tina Luffman

> Coordinator, Developmental Education

> Verde Valley Campus

> 928-634-6544

> tina_luffman at yc.edu

>

>

> David Rosen <djrosen at comcast.net>

> Sent by: technology-bounces at nifl.gov

> 12/13/2005 05:51 AM

> Please respond to

> The Technology and Literacy Discussion List <technology at nifl.gov>

>

>

> To

> technology at nifl.gov

> cc

>

> Subject

> [Technology] Helping adult learners buy inexpensive home computers

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Technology colleagues,

>

> What are the best choices for a really inexpensive new home computer

> which has Internet access capability?

>

> It could be a desktop or laptop.  It would be for a very low-income

> adult learner who has little or no experience using computers.  It

> would be used in many ways, but would would need to be able to access

> the Web for distance learning instruction sites, including wireless

> access.

>

> One example is a $300 computer, described in my July posting here

>

>                 http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/Cheap_Computers

>

> The M.I.T. laptop (under $100) might be another -- someday -- but I

> am looking for currently available models.  Can anyone point us to

> one for under $300?

>

> I am raising this in the context of helping adult learners in North

> America to buy a home computer, so I am also interested in hearing

> about your experiences in helping learners do this.  What do you find

> works and what doesn't?  Are there ways that students help each other

> to buy a computer?  Do you, as a teacher, help students to figure out

> how to buy a computer?  To you cover this in class? (Should you?) Do

> you have lessons on this you could share?

>

> Here's a Web resource, on E-square (an electronic square for adult

> learners in the Boston area) which is designed for adult students

> exploring buying a home computer:  "How to Buy and Use a Computer"

>

>                 http://www.sabes.org/technology/buycomputer/

>

> David J. Rosen

> djrosen at comcast.net

>

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