Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91-FP.960106070427.2988A@cap1.capaccess.org> Date: Sat, 6 Jan 1996 07:17:32 -0500 From: "Robert D. Haslach" <mailto:rhaslach@CAPACCESS.ORG> Subject: Re: TRS-80 Computers for Africa To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
Dr. Lisse, I can confirm, *does* live there, and knows whereof he speaks. I have worked there and with the communications channels available. Namibia is clearly lightyears ahead of Mali in its technological development. I wonder whether we ought not leave off the issue of "developmental justice" and focus on the nature of the market. Taking a market like West Africa (just to make this difficult), where we find a fragmented market not well served by regional communications networks (other than the highways) for the majority of network users, I wonder whether this debate ought not shift its focus from the M100 (which I use parallel to my LX95, Toshiba 386 laptop, and DX60 and Pentium desktops (different functions different tools)) and shift it to the networks themselves, the gatekeepers (tarrif, regulatory, literacy). Successfully building the network - or allowing journalists - publishers - advertisers - readers to get on with designing a network that serves their needs - will pull in the right technology for the terminals. It may be that a handwritten note in an envelope entrusted to a bush taxi driver is the most efficient means to transmit material in some markets. It may be that fixed nodes (remember the telegraph?) will work best in some markets. And I certainly know that in relatively free markets, demand for technological and cost structure improvements pulls in what is needed - and what can be funded by the level of transaction on the network. Dr. Lisse (whose signature map I admire!), I wonder whether we ought not try to develop a simple (and crass) cash-flow model of a single communications network and see what it can, today, sustain, and what it needs in the way of paying customers to support other technologiesWith highest regards for those following and contributing to this thread, I remain, Sincerely, Robert D. Haslach Bye