Category: Technology

  • One Laptop for every child

    One of the very promising projects out there aimed at growing a brighter future for children worldwide is the “One Laptop” project.

    One Laptop Per Child


    �It’s an education project, not a laptop project.�

    � Nicholas Negroponte

    Our goal: To provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves.
    The project’s origins go back more than four decades to the early days of computing, when most machines were still the size of small dinosaurs, and almost no one dreamed they would ever be suitable for children. But pioneering thinkers like Seymour Papert disagreed sharply, and over time led the long march from radical theory to reality proving the immense power of the personal computer as a learning tool for children.

    The project is open to involvement on all levels if you are someone who has skills or knowledge which can be of benefit. They have comprehensive wiki which keeps us up-to-date on developments as they take place. As someone who is very interested in e-learning and using new technologies to benefit those who are in need, this project ranks up there in the top ten for me. I hope to be working on projects of similar nature in not too distant future. I’ve signed up to volunteer my services with “The One Laptop” project.

    Pay them a visit and find out more, or, if you’re up to the task offer some assistance toward brightening the future of the next generation.

  • Village Earth Appropriate Technology – DIY sustainable villages

    I’m surprised I didn’t stumble across this valuable resource sooner. I’ve been considering setting in motion a plan to move out of the city and establish a sustainable village out in the country side somewhere. Myself and a friend have since started debating how we need to start appraching this idea and some of the associated problems.

    Appropriate Technology Library

    The Appropriate Technology Library contains the complete text and images from over 1,050 of the best books on all areas of village-level and do-it-yourself technologies…over 150,000 pages! In use in over 130 countries by Peace Corps Volunteers, development and relief organizations, engineers, and missionaries, the Appropriate Technology library is the most comprehensive, compact, and cost effective information resource in the world!

    A brief overview of the contents of this invaluable resource:

    • Background Reading – 22 Books
    • General References – 52 Books
    • Local Self-Reliance – 13 Books
    • Workshop – 63 Books
    • Agriculture – 133 Books
    • Agricultural Tools – 78 Books
    • Crop Preservation – 35 Books
    • Forestry – 34 Books
    • Aquaculture – 18 Books
    • Water Supply: References – 6 Books
    • Water Supply: Small Systems – 24 Books
    • Water Supply: Pumps – 26 Books
    • Water Supply: Tanks – 4 Books
    • Water Supply: Treatment – 20 Books
    • Water Supply: Sanitation – 4 Books
    • Water Supply: Solid Wastes – 15 Books
    • Energy: General – 26 Books
    • Energy: Cookstoves – 38 Books
    • Energy: Wind – 40 Books
    • Energy: Water – 42 Books
    • Energy: Solar – 25 Books
    • Energy: Biogas – 10 Books
    • Housing and Construction – 80 Books
    • Transportation – 40 Books
    • Health Care – 45 Books
    • Science Teaching – 6 Books
    • Nonformal Education – 5 Books
    • Local Communication – 19 Books
    • Small Enterprises – 34 Books
    • Beekeeping – 9 Books
    • Small Industries – 38 Books
    • Periodicals – 2
    • Disaster Preparedness – 23 Book

    I’m definitely gonna try to get my hands one a set of these. The website has a nice overview section which gives a summary on each book, so check it out and let me know what you think.

    Happy village building!