[wsfii-discuss] the cooperative way for India?

Fri Jul 7 05:28:21 UTC 2006

A couple of clarifications - it's always amusing how people can talk about the
same thing but end up sounding like it's a debate. I often find it is my own
mistaken assumption that I was clear enough in the first place. More comments
inline.
Quoting Ken DiPietro <ken at new-isp.net>:
> vvcrishna at radiophony.com wrote:
> > I think the ability of our educational system to formally, in the short
> term,
> > provide training and certification for unlettered village people in this
> skill
> > is sorely lacking. 
> I would suggest 
> that the skills that need to be imparted to create this network (from a 
> construction/deployment perspective) are minimal and probably well 
> suited to someone of limited training. The work consists mainly of 
> climbing, attaching and pointing radios - something, ironically, that I 
> am totally unsuited for.

I was talking about the skills needed to deploy and run the network effectively,
reliably and efficiently, not install antennae/access points. Wherever I have
seen 'community' networks deployed, it is local people who have been trained to
handle the physical installation very quickly, relatively easily, and with great
impact.

> > The training part may be formally supported by a manufacturing major that
> > happens to have a global reputation for networking. 
> >   
> 
> Personally, I would rather see India form it's own industry but that may 
> not be possible. 

This is not cast in stone, but our manufacturing sector was badly crippled in
the first wave of economic liberalisation. The data industry was part of this,
for it had not even achieved global competitiveness by that time. 

> Seeing as this entire industry is moving to an 
> "off-the-shelf" commodity supply, having a manufacturer come in is 
> probably not where you would want to go. 

We are talking about the same thing: taking off-the-shelf components and putting
them together effectively. One of the things such manufacturers do is make good
components. We need to improve our capabilities to write good software for the
network deployment - and learn to share in the work done globally in this area.

> I know it's a lie, you 
> know it's a lie and everybody in attendance will also know but it is a 
> necessary courtesy that must be done - even though sometimes I wish I 
> could stand up and tell the truth as to how much additional work the 
> government caused me and how little help they actually were. <grin>
> 

Didn't I mention how grateful I was to our government for all the assistance and
support they have given to village-level empowerment? Drat.

> >   
> 
> While I cannot tell you what your local prices are like I can provide 
> you with the necessary contacts to find out what they look like in 
> China. You will need to drill down into their database specifically 
> looking for "WiFi antenna" or "Access Points" to name two.
> http://www.globalsources.com/

Thanks - I have always found locating Chinese stuff on the net a hassle, while
we know they either already make an amazing range of electronic stuff, or can
if not already done.

> > (how many people does an SMD assembly need, anyway?)
> >   
> 
> That question varies, naturally. If you were to purchase (1) two radio 
> SBC (linked below) (2) Mini-PCI radios, a pigtail, an antenna and a NEMA 
> enclosure from my experience this list of parts can be built by one 
> person and tested by another at a rate of six per hour. YMMV.

Again, slight confusion here - I was talking about the assembly of the
electronic devices, while you are clarifying about the total assembly. I leave
the links in for people who come in and read only from this point onward. 

> http://www.pcengines.ch/pic/wrap1c1.jpg
> http://tinyurl.com/mcg9e
> http://tinyurl.com/qj2vr
> http://tinyurl.com/lt2lw
> http://tinyurl.com/o6rsk
> 

> 
> The benefits multiply exponentially as more people can train more 
> people. The total value is priceless.

Our 'modern' educational system in India began with Macaulay - we need to grow a
little more mature and accord due place to Metcalfe instead. 
> 
> I wish I could attend this summit, honestly I do. Maybe we can get a 
> bunch of us together here in the US at the same time to brainstorm 
> (virtually) with you all.
> 

I am saddened to learn you are not going to be able to make it this autumn -
your insights and advice on this and our other lists have always been so
positive. But it would be great if you could coordinate with others in the US
who can't make it to India and schedule online conference session(s) for us all
to share. Let me see if I can round up some names to help get this started.

Vickram