Project WikiBeagle: Special Wikipedia with Nepali translations
Power and internet connectivity remain an issue where SVCC is located. We propose to build twenty custom mini-computers, using the ARM BeagleBoard with TV/S-Video output, bootable USB flash drives, and small LCD TV's screens. This very efficient setup can be powered by two 12volt car batteries in time of power outage. The Beagle's will run a specially designed offline Wikipedia that is optimized for NTSC (720x486) resolution, and does automatic partial translation into the native language Nepali. Other applications that run well in low resolution and under Ubuntu ARM-port will also be available, we plan to include Wine so that MS-Windows apps can be installed and used. This highly versitile and durable mini-computer will provide basic IT training, and endless research for all ages. It will also dramatically reduce the operating costs by reduced power usage. The image to the right shows off the custom browser for offline-nepal-wikipedia running in NTSC (486x720) portrait view.
Budget:
Hardware:
BeagleBoard = $125
16GB USB Flash = $40
LCD TV 8inch (or netbook replacement LCD) = $60
Mouse,Keyboard,Power = $40
Case = $15
Shipping/Import Tax = $20
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subtotal per-unit: $300
Subtotal 20 units: $6,000
Estimated Overhead: $1,600
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Total: $7,600
