The Backward Laptop Project
From a distance, some emails came across that defined the specifications for the laptops that the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago will be paying for so that children can have them. No, the People's Partnership isn't giving them to the children - you are, out of your treasury. Being able to identify that means you are intelligent. Not being able to identify that means you are...
Before I post the specifications, I'll add my commentary. The hardware requirements for the systems are well defined, exceedingly so. As a software developer with over 20 years of experience and as a software developer who has worked as a technical lead on projects with budgets in excess of $1 million dollars U.S., I have some concerns. I believe you should too.
The logical progression to hardware requirements for such a project are: (1) Identifying the problems, (2) Identifying the software to be used to solve the problems, (3) Identifying the hardware that runs the software (this treats the operating system as an extension of the hardware).
What we have here is actually the complete reverse - which leads me to question the competency of those who are undertaking the project. I could delve into more detail with what is wrong with these specifications but I don't want to spend more thought fixing their specs than they spent in creating them.
In short: This is stupid but it meets the government's apparent requirement: Meeting a political party's promises while assuring that money is spent on something that will have no measurable benefit in the context of education of the children of Trinidad and Tobago.
Here are the requirements, as posted on the main computing list of Trinidad and Tobago:
Minimum Technical Specifications Laptop Type 1 (17,300 Units)
Processor Speed (cache) Dual Core 1.66GHz (512MB L2 Cache) or equivalent
Memory 1 GB, DDR SDRAM
Video Card Integrated
Display Size 8”
Audio Type Integrated
Speaker Type
Integrated Hard Drive Size 160GB
Network Speed (Ethernet Connectivity) 10/100 Mbps
(Integrated) Wireless Network Type 802.11g
Key Board Type English
Input Device Touch Pad
Interface Provided 2 x USB 2.0,Video Output, LAN, Audio
Operating System Type Microsoft Windows 7 (English) 32-Bit (with domain-based networking capability)
Power Supply External AC Adaptor (100-240v)
Battery (Battery Life) 6 Hours
Web Camera
Integrated Mouse
Optical Mouse with Scroll and mouse pad
Laptop Tag (Asset tag) Unique Identifier
ENERGY STAR ® ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 compliance
Pre-Installed Software
Student / Classroom Productivity & Educational Software
Security software such as Anti-Virus
Optional Pre-Installed Software Encyclopedia
Optional Requirements
Optical Drive DVD +/-RW
Carry Handle
Integrated Wireless Bluetooth
Integrated Security Cable Locks
Accessories Carry Case Note: Maximum weight of the Type 1 Laptop should not exceed 1.3kg, excluding battery.
--------- Minimum Technical Specifications Laptop Type 2 (3000 Units)
Processor Speed (cache) Dual Core 1.66GHz (2MB L2Cache) or equivalent
Memory 2 GB,
DDR SDRAM
Video Card Integrated
Display Size 8”
Audio Type Integrated Speaker Type
Integrated Hard Drive Size 250GB
Network Speed (Ethernet Connectivity) 10/100 Mbps
Wireless Network Type 802.11g
Key Board Type English
Input Device Touch Pad Interface
Provided 3 x USB 2.0, Video Output, LAN, Audio Operating
System Type Microsoft Windows 7 (English) 32-Bit (with domain-based networking capability)
Power Supply External AC Adaptor (100-240v)
Battery (Battery Life) 6 Hours
Web Camera Integrated
Mouse Optical Mouse with Scroll and mouse pad
Optical Drive Built-in DVD +/-RW
Laptop Tag (Asset tag)Unique Identifier
ENERGY STAR ® ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 compliance
Pre-Installed Software Student / Classroom Productivity & Educational Software Security software such as Anti-Virus Optional Pre-Installed Software Encyclopedia Optional Requirements Carry Handle Integrated Wireless Bluetooth Integrated Security Cable Locks Accessories Carry Case
Note: Maximum weight of the Type 2 Laptop should not exceed 2.5 kg, excluding battery.
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[...] The Backward Laptop Project | KnowTnT.com (Beta) knowtnt.com/node/213 – view page – cached From a distance, some emails came across that defined the specifications for the laptops that the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago will be paying for so that children can have them. No, the People's Partnership isn't giving them to the children - you are, out of your treasury. Being able to identify that means you are intelligent. Not being able to identify that means you are... Tweets about this link [...]
HP Tablet - Business Machine
damn ting has a six hour battery, non glare screen, good microphone, Screen Pen and is lighter and thinner than a Powerbook. Best lil performer for anyone - Robust hard drive an case. Stick some memory in and you good to go from Form One to UWI Engineering. HP Factory Refurb is $300 US . No one even know you have laptop - fits in any book bag, hides in folder.
I think...
you may have missed my point.
its a bad idea to start with
(not your point) - the laptop ting. I didnt know to respond.re your point. Felt like work. However in as much as they are going to do what they will, may as well bring in something i like. This will be typical case of the perceived needs of the wider population MUST be satisfied. Granted, I missed the message but really really like the HP Tablet - maybe the best reason I liked it was I had to buy it.
Bicycles, books or computers - If you don't earn it you take it for granted.
OLPC
What about the OLPC project? Why can't they purchase those?
Minimum order for OLPC is...
100,000
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[...] has put out the specifications for laptops that 'public' tender has started on (see the specs here), there were remarks made about a laptop in the local media (Newsday, perhaps? ) that did not do [...]