i share similar views. but maybe considered too loud
frankly not very convinced with his perception. god know what makes you find him akal mand (i guess here is an perfect example of Akal Ki Mandi )
here we have to accept it that literacy is below 50%. of which only another fraction is english spking and still smaller fraction of it can read/write still further smaller % is computer literate. u know these stats better. we also have to accept the fact that india is an agrarian nation. farmers grow crops not by programming but by sowing ploughing and sowing etc. there is no need for them to be on this side of so called digital divide to be able to grow crops.
my mother is a doc she need not know how email is sent to prescribe any medication to my uncle in europe. your mom doesnt need to know what IM and OE is to chat / email you anywhere on the globe . its just that they know to use these apps coz they can type.
largely the article says that instead of taking technology closer to humans why not make programmers life more simpler and get ppl more acquainted with technology. whats wrong if a person is willing to access information iconalastically or in his native language ?
just becoz a person stays in village he not a nomad, justcoz he doesnt r/w english he is not illiterate. technology is to make life simpler. whats the use of a technology that takes 6months to learn and 6 days to outmode itself
just for example if some ppl can understand english why not have all newspapers only in english.
i guess by trying to deface simputer he is only trying reaffirming that Palm/iPaq are the apps to lead. use of language like NON STANARD SOFTWARE for linux clearly establishes a very pessimistic tone and critical since its on its way to replace wince and palmos.
consider points like robbing and selling off... doesnt that happen with any other highest technology device that too with the highest qualified MBA, even ur money was stolen some time, does that mean you stop using cash and swtich to gold and silver ?
when similar device will be put on bejing airport they will say its icon based so that both local and international guys can use it.
acc to me this article is utter crap written by some guy who sees some threat from simputer.
take care Harsh
----- Original Message ----- From: "Frederick Noronha" fred@bytesforall.org To: linuxers@mm.ilug-bom.org.in Sent: Monday, September 23, 2002 3:59 PM Subject: [ILUG-BOM] Anti-Simputer article...
More on the anti-Simputer article... Very relevant to the GNU/Linux debate too. FN
From: "Vinay L Deshpande" vinay@ncoretech.com On the India-GII list Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2002 4:28 PM Subject: [india-gii] Reply to Scott McCollum on his article on Simputer