Sometime on Jun 29, Mayuresh A Kathe assembled some asciibets to say:
India. That is the reason why it is build using reguional languages. Currently has Kannada and a few other languages, while support for most regional languages will come soon. Also has text to speech conversion for people who can't read.
Now tell me Philip, if you have used a handheld computer, is it easier/faster to type or scribble?
The simputer is not an input device, it's more of an output device. It provides information to the user. The only real form of input is by selecting icons. Everything else is output. The only text entry is done through a sort of 3x3 grid, and is meant for minimalistic entry. Typically, a user would *NEVER* need to enter more than a signature maybe.
rural people have to learn one more script to use some computing
They don't. They need to understand pictures on screen and words read out to them. I've downloaded the software and it's pretty good. Try it.
Have you figured out the BOM of the Simputer? Its basic components itself cost Rs.3,000/- (thats at volumes of 30,000)
I won't argue with you on prices, because you have first hand knowledge. This issue is actually addressed in the FAQ, if you read it. They've decided not to include an internal storage system to cut costs. They're also using really cheap components, but since that's not my line, I won't get into it.
The main thing is that IISc will not be building the simputer. Only its specification. The specification is released openly under the SGPL, and anyone can build an implementation. The software is downloadable under the GPL.
This is definitely one of the best projects in India, surpassing all the service that our IT biggies have done to the Americans.
One of the best projects in India?? IT services bought in revenues to do the things like Simputer...
But IT companies have done nothing for India itself. During the recent calamities in Gujarat and Orissa, it would have cost peanuts for any of these big IT companies to put up an information website with regular updates, but no one cared. They were too busy writing modules for Windows XP.
Anyway, I thought the project was good, and you didn't. Lets leave it at that.
Philip