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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