Simputer gets close to finish-line, on lookout for the right software
By Frederick Noronha
PANAJI (Goa), June 24: Indian computer scientists and technologists are close to the finish-line for completing an ambitious project of making a "commonman's computer". But much of their chances for success depend on being able to find sufficient buyers and create useful applications.
Called the 'Simputer', this low-priced but versatile computing device is to be priced at between Rs 10,500 to Rs 23,000 -- depending on the computing power made available in different models.
"We expect (Goa-based modem and motherboard manufacturer) D-Link to produce Simputers in quantity in a few months time," announced Encore Software chairman and CEO Vinay L Deshpande, speaking to businessmen and software enthusiasts at a Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industry, here. This was followed by an interaction with the local LUG, or Linux Users' Group.
The Simputer has caught the attention of the nation, and many overseas too, because it promises to take computing to the commonman. Not just because of its lower price but also because of its promise to be usable even by an illiterate using its text-to-speech conversion capabilities.
In the year 2001, the Simputer project raced past products like Apple's slick new IPAC computers and Windows XP to be selected as the New York Times' technology selections.
"We have so far focussed on getting the Simputer into people's hands. Now we have the Simputer software development toolkit ready," says Deshpande.
On the ncoretech.com site, a small under 200-kilobytes package enables any software developer with the skills to launch into developing their own 'apps' (or applications) to make the Simputer an even more powerful tool.
Many of the current Simputer applications -- particularly the PIMs (personal information-manager software) -- are not as feature-loaded as could have been. These are basically to demonstrate the capabilities of the Simputer, admits Deshpande.
Mass-production, though some months behind deadline, is possibly shortly and prototypes are already doing the rounds. Much now depends on whether there are sufficient numbers of buyers to reduce the cost of the product.
Simputer is finding itself a number of different application, ranging from sending e-mail to playing MP3 music files and video clippings, billing applications, rural banking, Indian language solutions, e-education, e-governance, small business accounting, insurance policy advisor, etc.
"Simputer could also be adapted to high-end uses, like FedEx-type document tracking (e-logistics), sales automation or as a tool for the visually impaired in combination with a low-cost video camera and optical character recognition software. We got a suggestion for this from Italy," says Deshpande.
Using the GNU/Linux model of software developing, the 'specs' (specifications) are thrown up, and anyone interested can create software required. This could either be put out for free for all users, or priced.
One text-to-speech software (that converts the written-word into speech, helping illiterates) is a priced product. But it is an improvement on the earlier design, and allows the 'text' to be read out in a man's voice, or a woman's or child's. One could even adapt the pitch of the voice.
"Currently we have about 100-150 Simputers in operation. By August, there should be 1000-1500. This would help further development (of software). Several hundred software developers have also downloaded the toolkit," says Deshpande.
Being a GNU/Linux based project -- modeled on a non-proprietorial form of 'free' software production -- this product too depends a lot on volunteers lending their skills to develop applications. 'Free' software does not mean that all come without a price; some could be free, others could be priced.
But the prices of the software are expected to be reasonable.
"Since this is a Rs 10,000 product, you can't expect to sell software at Rs 5,000. We expect most applications would cost between Rs 25 to 100 each (with a few more comprehensive ones costlier). Money would be made on the volumes sold," said Deshpande.
This product uses a GTK-based toolkit, and Java could also be used for programming. Deshpande says large software conglomerates like Microsoft had shown a keen interest in porting the Simputer to their products, but this had been "so far resisted" as the project is based on the 'open source' software model of volunteers collaboratively building solutions.
Interestingly, even the Simputer's hardware design is 'open source'. Anyone can download this from the Internet, and implement it for 'personal use'.
But anyone wanting to go in for 'commercial' production and sale of the Simputers has to pay a one-time licence fee of US$25,000 for the developing world and ten times that sum for the developed world.
There is an unusual twist to this too -- anyone innovating on the Simputer design gets a monopoly over that improved design for a year of commercial production, after which the innovation has to itself be put out in public domain. This rewards innovation and also keeps the door open for further design-improvements evolving.
This is perhaps the first product internationally that has gone in for an 'open' design model, which has so far been mainly used in the software world, quite successfully.
Deshpande said interest was being evinced in the Simputer from countries as far apart as Morocco, Singapore, Nigeria, Brazil and elsewhere. (ENDS)
---------------------------------------------------------------------- SIMPUTER LINKS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Simputer www.simputer.org Simputer Mailing List www.groups.yahoo.com/group/simputer/ PicoPeta www.picopeta.com Swami Manohar manohar@picopeta.com Vinay L Deshpande vinay@ncoretech.com NCoreTech www.ncoretech.com (Simputer developer kit here) ----------------------------------------------------------------------