$13 Stellaris computer coming

[nsane.forums]

The Stellaris Launchpad has appeared in the wild, taking on the Raspberry Pi to claim the title of "cheapest single board PC". The Launchpad is retailing for $13, in a price range all its own.

The price of computer hardware really has dropped significantly in recent years, and there are few representations more obvious than the Raspberry Pi: that single-board PC which is about the size of a credit card and uses an SD card as storage. It seems a bit mad, being able to retail for $25 or so.

If that's mad then the Stellaris Launchpad must be insane, since it is the same concept for $13 a go. It relies on ARM hardware and at the price you could buy them as Christmas gifts for all your friends.

The Launchpad isn't entirely similar to the Raspberry Pi, for the two use different circuit boards and therefore will have different functionality. Tutorials and explanations for doing things with a Launchpad are appearing on the Texas Instruments wiki already, so jumping in without experience shouldn't be too bad.

The Raspberry Pi seemingly can be used as a complete computing setup with ethernet, a keyboard, and all the rest, but the Stellaris Launchpad likely could not. Then again, the Raspberry Pi doesn't have the backing of Texas Instruments, the manufacturers of the TI-83 and TI-84 calculators - which are more expensive than their single-board computer.

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[calguyhunk]

While the attempt is laudable, what we truly need is a super reliable ~$100 all-in-one real, usable PC for use in developing countries by kids who've only heard about these uber expensive, highly desirable things called 'Computers' from friends, neighbors etc. and only fleetingly seen them in shops and offices, but never had the good fortune of getting to know what they can truly do for you. :(

Being in one such country myself and having had the privilege to have used these things from a tender age (from the mid-nineties) and seeing less fortunate kids all 'round me, makes me really badly want to see an all in one x86/ARM system in the desktop/laptop form factor for not much more than $100 that will transform their lives (mostly for the better) hopefully :yes:

[Alanon]

While the attempt is laudable, what we truly need is a super reliable ~$100 all-in-one real, usable PC for use in developing countries by kids who've only heard about these uber expensive, highly desirable things called 'Computers' from friends, neighbors etc. and only fleetingly seen them in shops and offices, but never had the good fortune of getting to know what they can truly do for you. :(

Being in one such country myself and having had the privilege to have used these things from a tender age (from the mid-nineties) and seeing less fortunate kids all 'round me, makes me really badly want to see an all in one x86/ARM system in the desktop/laptop form factor for not much more than $100 that will transform their lives (mostly for the better) hopefully :yes:

While that holds firm ground on many levels, and though I must agree in principle, one of the greatest benefits of my childhood was not having a computer. Even though it was available for my parents to purchase it, I was bereft, and forced to watch cartoons and read books. What I've reaped from it - my education, intelligence, language skills and wit.

People (myself included) keep hearing about genius kids, and most of them are from India (or such was my impression). What India hasn't lost is it's desire to thrive, something that most pacified cultures (and yes, in this case pacified = wealthier) have lost a long time ago. Take the thrive factor away, and I fear you will suck a great deal of genius away from those kids.

In this instance I have only myself to measure, and I know that, had I had a PC back then, books would've been the furthest thing from my mind. Now, I'm a student of World Literature.

[calguyhunk]

While that holds firm ground on many levels, and though I must agree in principle, one of the greatest benefits of my childhood was not having a computer. Even though it was available for my parents to purchase it, I was bereft, and forced to watch cartoons and read books. What I've reaped from it - my education, intelligence, language skills and wit.

In this instance I have only myself to measure, and I know that, had I had a PC back then, books would've been the furthest thing from my mind. Now, I'm a student of World Literature.

Exactly the same with me. I did not have a PC at home back then either, it was at school that I had access to it. I grew up reading story books mostly 'cuz my Mother wouldn't even let me go anywhere near a Television set for the fear of it's 'corrupt influence' on my tender little soul. :P Only the occasional cartoon and/or nature programs licensed by the National broadcaster from Discovery or National Geographic was all I had access to :)

So in a way I suppose it was the best of both worlds for me :) But then I suppose I went to a private school, which is why I had access to computers there. Underfunded Govt. schools especially in rural areas barely have proper toilets or even enough teachers, let alone expensive gadgetry or functioning laboratories and I can almost be certain that these problems exist throughout the developing world and not just country specific :(

People (myself included) keep hearing about genius kids, and most of them are from India (or such was my impression). What India hasn't lost is it's desire to thrive, something that most pacified cultures (and yes, in this case pacified = wealthier) have lost a long time ago. Take the thrive factor away, and I fear you will suck a great deal of genius away from those kids.

While I do appreciate your sentiments, I strongly believe that some of what you say is glorification of poverty I'm afraid, albeit with honorable intentions. The way I see it - lack of access to amenities is not something anybody should be deprived of involuntarily. As you say - "...not having a computer. Even though it was available for my parents to purchase it,...". Your parents had the option and as it turns out, voluntarily made - what has turned out to be - the right option in your case. They chose to exercise their rights to bring their child up they way they deemed fit :)

That's what needs to happen. People need to have the option and then the parents as adults need to make the right choice on a case by case basis. No two kids are similar. A child, say with learning disabilities may respond to an audio-visual medium of training (like a PC) more than traditional printed books and pen and paper. Even in general cases, as I've said, that it's upto the parents to make that judgement and make sure that they keep their children from harms way - which of course is never that far on the World Wide Web :(

IMO the way to keep kids interested in the 'Real' world as opposed to getting too caught up in the virtual one, is not by monetarily depriving them/pricing them out of the scope of modern technology, but by monitoring and moderating their usage of and access to technology, by responsible adults and/or guardians. Think of so many kids coming up with fresher, newer, bolder ideas for a better and brighter tomorrow only because they've had the opportunity to access the vast repository of knowledge that is available and interact with people with similar ideas from 'round the world. Who knows, where tomorrow's Einsteins and Mandelas will come from :)

[Alanon]

Underfunded Govt. schools especially in rural areas barely have proper toilets or even enough teachers, let alone expensive gadgetry or functioning laboratories and I can almost be certain that these problems exist throughout the developing world and not just country specific :(

That's what needs to happen. People need to have the option and then the parents as adults need to make the right choice on a case by case basis. No two kids are similar. A child, say with learning disabilities may respond to an audio-visual medium of training (like a PC) more than traditional printed books and pen and paper. Even in general cases, as I've said, that it's upto the parents to make that judgement and make sure that they keep their children from harms way - which of course is never that far on the World Wide Web :(

The same truly stands for a great many a developing country. I wouldn't say it's a glorification of poverty, but rather a pondering on an already started discussion. Greater men than I have questioned the way we live today - questions like - Why read books?, Why write them?, Is a man happier not knowing?, etc... Granted, this is already the territory of contemporary philosophy, and as in all philosophy, the precursor must be economic security, which veers us too far from the subject matter.

Getting back on track, it just feels like the Internet is not a safe place. The developing world is the last frontier of national cultural heritages. The Internet feeds on them, creating marketing strategies, making a global society. I know this by heart, as this is what is happening in Serbia. And while PC's are getting widely available, those toilets in poor schools aren't getting fixed. I can't remember the last time I saw some ad, or store sign in Cyrillic (our national script), only the Latin variant. So when it comes to solutions like those, I just feel the need to stop and ponder, because not every kid will have that it takes to get out of the Web of lies (pun intended). And I feel that, even without internet access a child would (or, hell, let's be careless - should) be happier living its life in the ways of your culture.

What is the case in Serbia now is that our countryside is beautiful, fertile and green, but everyone wants electricity, internet, and a non farming job. The children that come to the city are between worlds - they know nothing of how the city works, and very little on how the country works. They are, in effect incomplete. It's my opinion that its technology to blame... However closely related, again, I fear, I'm going down philosophy lane. I'll stop here. Hopefully, my ranting makes some sense. :D It's a fascinating topic, and with a good conversational partner, things can get too wide a perspective...

[calguyhunk]

The developing world is the last frontier of national cultural heritages. The Internet feeds on them, creating marketing strategies, making a global society. I know this by heart, as this is what is happening in Serbia. And while PC's are getting widely available, those toilets in poor schools aren't getting fixed. I can't remember the last time I saw some ad, or store sign in Cyrillic (our national script), only the Latin variant. So when it comes to solutions like those, I just feel the need to stop and ponder, because not every kid will have that it takes to get out of the Web of lies (pun intended). And I feel that, even without internet access a child would (or, hell, let's be careless - should) be happier living its life in the ways of your culture.

What is the case in Serbia now is that our countryside is beautiful, fertile and green, but everyone wants electricity, internet, and a non farming job. The children that come to the city are between worlds - they know nothing of how the city works, and very little on how the country works. They are, in effect incomplete. It's my opinion that its technology to blame... However closely related, again, I fear, I'm going down philosophy lane. I'll stop here. Hopefully, my ranting makes some sense. :D It's a fascinating topic, and with a good conversational partner, things can get too wide a perspective...

Firstly, let's take your points one at a time. As for kids being 'happier' without electricity, internet and Playstations, playing around in the wide open feilds in the lush countryside - Hell yeah. They will be. But that will well and truly take us into the world of that age-old "What is happiness" territory, that's best left unattended for now, 'cuz it's well and truly beyond not just the scope of this article, but also dangerous divisive territory. :nono:

Let's just stick to asking ourselves for now, as to whether hypothetically - given the option - you and I will trade our lives for that? Hell no! Not me at any rate. I'd definitely like to trade in our little suburban house for the vast idyllic countryside, but with 24x7 electricity, running water, Premium Sports Channels on Cable/DTH and high speed broadband :yes:

Does that make me sound materialistic? Maybe, but you know pretty well that I'm only being realistic. The debate as to what constitutes preservation of the last vestiges of culture and what constitutes glorification of poverty is an old one. It predates us and has over the years confused and befuddled thinkers and conservationists alike and will continue to be hotly debated and contested with arguments and counter arguments on both sides long after we're gone ;)

And it's not just about culture either. Think about the 'conservation' of dilapidated buildings and structures designated as 'heritage' by either the local Archeological Societies and/or UNESCO, and you ask yourself 'How much is too much'? Which ones should we really try to conserve and which ones are we better off pulling down and building the quintessential big bad shopping malls and office buildings? ;)

Remember, our tax money is gonna go into that - money that can be spend (some might say 'better' spend ;) ) on those aforementioned toilets and teaching staff :yes:

As for your argument about local scripts and languages being usurped/destroyed by the Latin script in general and the English language in particular - I agree, but with a caveat. In the 21^st century, for our kids to be competitive in the global marketplace, you need to have a grip over the English language. (Most of the languages in Western Europe and North America are written in the Latin script including the all encompassing English language). The Chinese and the Russians have just started realizing that. We in India have known that for decades ;)

Now I know you have a problem with the very notion of assimilation and globalization, (at least that what it sounds like to some extent), but we don't make the rules I'm afraid. The rules are already made and it's only up to us whether to play by them or not :(

As for your (over) romanticized notion of life in idyllic surrounds, I'm afraid we can't go back to living in the middle ages, can we? Without motorized transportation, visually polluting skyscrapers, cancer inducing cellular phone towers, electricity, running water etc.? Let's be pragmatic for a second and let's recognize that they're are not going anywhere and are here to stay. For real. And has been so for quite some time. So the least we can do is to at least extend the option of exploiting the many uses of these 20^th century marvels to as many Earthlings as possible. :P

As for your portrayal of naive innocent village folks not knowing their way 'round the big bad cities - I think it's a tad far fetched and a tad simplistic IMO. What they lack is not IQ, but knowledge. And that can be imparted by the right people. You've just gotta know who to seek it from :yes:

As for them not wanting to do hard menial labor, can you blame 'em? Would you and I leave the comforts of our home on a chilly, frosty December evening to give the buffaloes a bath? Or try and sow cotton/rice/paddy, on a rainy, muddy July afternoon? :dunno: IMO it's everybody's birth right morally, to have access to option. You can't have the best of both worlds unfortunately. You either get the best of jobs for yourself, best schools for your kids, best healthcare for your family and in the process sacrifice a bit of piece of mind. Or go into the wilderness, into the back of beyond and live like the hermits used to back in the day. These days, even monks drive Ferraris :P

TL;DR - I think you're confusing the advancement of technology with American cultural hegemony (Hollywood, Broadway, Nashville). While they are not mutually unrelated (air transportation, Trans-Atlantic undersea cables and satellite communications have helped spread McDonald's and Levis after all), they are not entirely one and the same :)

P.S. - I apologize for my inordinately long posts. They've been getting longer and more time consuming by the day. Gotta work on keeping them short and simple :think: