Thursday, 1 October 2009

Efficient Computers in Cambodian Schools


September 30, 2009
(Post by CAAI News Media)

By James Kanter


American Assistance for Cambodia
Children working on a low-power computer at a school in Phnom Penh run by American Assistance for Cambodia, a not-for-profit group.

What is the best computer for schools in developing countries?

The answer is one that is rugged and sips electricity, according to Javier Sola, one of the founders of the Open Institute, a not-for-profit group providing computers and training in Cambodia.

Mr. Sola’s organization is building desktop computers that consume about a quarter of the electricity normally used by desktop and laptop computers, and that cost just over $200. Mr. Sola said he had so far installed 400 of the “low-power-consumption” computers in schools and teacher-training centers in Cambodia.

Another not-for-profit group, American Assistance for Cambodia, said that it was assembling and marketing additional computers under the brand name “Compodia,” and using the profits for projects to build schools, fund scholarships and support an orphanage.
The biggest energy savings for the desktop machines come from an Atom processor, made by Intel, Mr. Sola said. But in some cases the computers are directly connected to a battery that is fed with electricity from subsidized solar panels, which he said was a highly efficient way to transmit power.

The batteries cost about $85 each. But using solar power in combination with the battery means students do not have to pay the usual fee to the local grid of about 4 cents a day, or buy diesel to run a nearby generator, Mr. Sola said.

Even more energy savings would possible if costs come down for monitors using LED technology, which is far more efficient than other monitors, the experts suggest.

Mr. Sola said that a popular misconception was that reconditioned desktop and laptop computers are appropriate for developing countries because they are free. But those computers are often unsuited to rural environments, where cables get eaten or short-circuited by ants, roaches and mice, and where dust ends up clogging the fans.

Reconditioned computers also have relatively short life spans, so that “Cambodia produces computer waste at a much faster speed that any of the developing countries that donate them,” said Mr. Sola.

4 comments:

  1. Greetings! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering
    if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I'm using the same blog platform as yours and I'm having problems finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

    my weblog :: Laser stretch mark removal

    ReplyDelete
  2. Undeniably consider that that you said. Your favourite justification appeared to be on the internet the easiest thing to understand
    of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed at the same time
    as other folks consider issues that they just do not recognize about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the entire thing without having side-effects , other folks can take a signal.
    Will likely be back to get more. Thank you

    Review my web-site - stretch mark creams

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think the admin of this web site is genuinely working hard in favor of his web site, because here every material is quality based information.



    Have a look at my web site - www.lpedia.org

    ReplyDelete
  4. WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for pregnancy stretch marks pictures

    Here is my page :: rupai.net

    ReplyDelete