Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.90.980827174012.5541E-100000@ns1> Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 17:42:16 -0800 From: Chris Kwan <mailto:h1kwan@NS1.UMCSD.UM.EDU.MY> Subject: Re: [Fwd: INFORMATION AGE HAVES AND HAVE-NOTS (fwd)] To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
On Thu, 27 Aug 1998, Natapon & Sophia Buranakul wrote:> Thanks for this posting!
>
> I should just like to add that while the internet does have the potential to
> provide a relatively unrestricted means by which information that can be
> used for more participatory development can be disseminated, there are lots
> of current barriers which perhaps those of us connected to the net have a
> tendency to forget or put aside.
>
> - telecommunications systems in developing countries are not sufficiently
> well-developed to provide complete access or to support the latest upgrades
> in internet technology;
> - the education system in most countries does not provide training in the
> use of computers, but then many schools don't have electricity so this is
> not likely to be the major priority for the near future! Also, literacy in
> English is very limited.
> - the race to "upgrade" hardware and software which we see happening in
> Western Europe, Japan and North America seems distant from most countries of
> the world. Here basic computers are prohibitively expensive. I long for the
> day that Microsoft brings out a new Windows version that works efficiently
> on less memory than a Pentium - now that would really be something to write
> about, and a step towards opening up access to computers worldwide.
>
l can only answer on the last point which is to use LINUX instead of MS98. It is better and more stable and FREE. It is not as easy as MS98 but it is a good way to learn the nitty gritty of computing. LINUX can even run on 386s. They are so cheap now.Chris Kwan
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