Comments on: Pedal-Powered Computer

By: brother Sewing Machine

brother Sewing Machine — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:34:27 +0000

They give substandard equipment to developing nations, and the governments get fed up with being treated like children.

By: gibson8or

gibson8or — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:21:28 +0000

It’s not a problem with the tools, it’s a problem with the infrastructure. The laptops work fine, but there is no battery on earth, even in developed nations, that lasts indefinitely. The issue is that billions of people are living without regular access to electricity (and clean food, water, medicine, etc.), not that the laptop program has flaws.

By: Shae

Shae — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:11:51 +0000

WE need this for the little fatties we have here in the States.

By: Alez

Alez — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:20:58 +0000

The OLPC is a fantastic project. This is unacceptable. The idea that “substandard laptops are better than no laptops at all!” is a false argument. These laptops have a flaw and it needs to be addressed by OLPC.

Not only is this a ridiculous solution and a huge distraction; we would be loathe to accept this kind of equipment for our own kids. Why should it be acceptable for anyone else’s child? Schools deserve tools that actually work, wherever they are.

An “at least they get to exorcise!” sentiment is roll-your-eyes worthy.

By: kaolin fire

kaolin fire — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:42:45 +0000

I’ve wanted a nice pedal/exercise thing for under my desk for ages =)

Kind of looks like they took an old sewing-machine frame… which sounds like a genius idea.

By: Christophe

Christophe — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:17:49 +0000

I bet there is a US market for this contraption!

By: Lady Helena Handbasket

Lady Helena Handbasket — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:22:08 +0000

If I had one of these either my kids would be fitter or they would play computer games less. Either would be nice.

By: Fraser

Fraser — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:49:48 +0000

Great idea, but the placement of that chain is a testicular injury waiting to happen.

By: dutchboy

dutchboy — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:45:48 +0000

Maybe we should try bringing in electricity and then the laptops.

By: OddNumber

OddNumber — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:43:13 +0000

Matt – I think you might have missed the point of the One Laptop Per Child project (http://www.laptop.org/en/). It is a program to bring computers to the most remote regions of the world for the purpose of education. In an attempt to reach as many children as possible, costs have to be kept to a minimal. A laptop where you have to pedal is better than no laptop at all.

By: Jan

Jan — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:45:01 +0000

Widely available pedal powered sewing machines will be a better solution. Just attach an electric generator instead of the sewing machine.

I have used such a sewing machine by myself, and it beats a hometrainer easily.

One can actually do productive work – like sewing or in this case computing – while powering it.

And it still doubles as a sewing machine! Beat that!

Search Google for

pedal sewing machine

for more info.

Jan, Germany

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:39:09 +0000

Developed nations have tried this kind of thing before. They give substandard equipment to developing nations, and the governments get fed up with being treated like children. These countries want to become rich like us, and they know that they wont meet that goal with this kind of technology.

By: Elagie

Elagie — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:53:09 +0000

Hey, I think this should probably be standard equipment for all computers…we can multitask and get in shape while we surf!

By: Ant Dude

Ant Dude — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:50:00 +0000

Gilligan’s Island!

By: Edward

Edward — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:52:29 +0000

It is a pity that the clockwork, hand-cranked generator did not work. I believe that the limiting factor for one-laptop-per-child will be one-generator-per-village.