Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Show HN: 2.5B people can’t afford internet – need your opinion on our solution

giveinternet.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 124 posts

Re: Show HN: 2.5B people can’t afford internet – need your opinion on our solution

#21

Post by PopeDotNinja »

t0astbread wrote: post #17
jibla wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

First, we started with the used ones, but the maintenance of used devices was a disaster. Chromebooks were cheap, fast, virus-free and with bigger screens (More convenient for education) We buy them from 150-180 USD per unit. But this doesn't mean we' always go with Chromebooks. We always consider any other solutions based on the need of the project

Are Chromebooks really that much cheaper than "regular" Windows or OS-less Laptops? If so, why?

I bought a regular Windows laptop for a homeless person almost 10 years ago, and have done some tutoring for low income folks. Most of them were not computer savvy. The also had a tendency to lose their laptops, lots of theft. My personal experience tells me that whatever solution gets picked, the easier it is to use and replace the computer, the more sustainable it will be.

Re: Show HN: 2.5B people can’t afford internet – need your opinion on our solution

#22

Post by jteppinette »

> We believe that Internet access is a human right.

I disagree with this. This doesn't event make sense [EDIT: to me]. The internet is simply a very large network of private systems. You don't have a right to access this network, nor do you have a right to force someone to join this network.

If your "human rights" can be negated by the power going out, they are quite weak.

I am being nit-picky, but I just don't like this marketing tactic.

Re: Show HN: 2.5B people can’t afford internet – need your opinion on our solution

#23

Post by jibla »

t0astbread wrote: post #17
jibla wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

First, we started with the used ones, but the maintenance of used devices was a disaster. Chromebooks were cheap, fast, virus-free and with bigger screens (More convenient for education) We buy them from 150-180 USD per unit. But this doesn't mean we' always go with Chromebooks. We always consider any other solutions based on the need of the project

Are Chromebooks really that much cheaper than "regular" Windows or OS-less Laptops? If so, why?

They are cheaper mainly because the Chrome OS is Free (and maybe because they have almost no hard inside;) As far as we know OS and antivirus licenses make Windows more expensive.

Re: Show HN: 2.5B people can’t afford internet – need your opinion on our solution

#24

Post by UncleSam »

jibla wrote: post #16
johnklos wrote: post #9

Interesting, but buying in to the Google world requires a substantial amount of locking-in. Perhaps you should examine open source, open OSes and not OSes designed to funnel data to large for-profit companies. "Studets" should have an "n" ;) ( https://giveinternet.org/en/our-work/projects ) What kind of work is going on to provide alternative methods of Internet delivery, be they sharing from other parts of communiti…

Thanks for your feedback. Agree, we are considering open-source OS's as well. We are at an early stage and Chromebooks were fast and cheap solutions to start with. But will take your comment into consideration. We work with the incumbent operators and smaller Wifi providers. They offer free installations for our families and in some areas discounts on a monthly fee. Btw we thought we were solving the affordability pr…

"Stundents" -> "Students"

Re: Show HN: 2.5B people can’t afford internet – need your opinion on our solution

#25

Post by jibla »

jteppinette wrote: post #22

> We believe that Internet access is a human right. I disagree with this. This doesn't event make sense [EDIT: to me]. The internet is simply a very large network of private systems. You don't have a right to access this network, nor do you have a right to force someone to join this network. If your "human rights" can be negated by the power going out, they are quite weak. I am being nit-picky, but I just don't like…

Does it make more sense if we formulate it as "access to information" and not "Internet access"?

Re: Show HN: 2.5B people can’t afford internet – need your opinion on our solution

#26

Post by tryitnow »

Improve the global economy especially through more free trade and more migration. That will help more people afford everything, not just the internet.

There's other solutions too, like reducing corruption and cost of doing business in developing countries. But there's little westerners can do to implement those solutions. Trade and immigration are things western nations have control over.

Re: Show HN: 2.5B people can’t afford internet – need your opinion on our solution

#27

Post by reallydude »

lacker wrote: post #15

It says that you spend $7 a month to give people internet, and that you are giving internet access to 350 students. So, you are giving about $2,000 a month of value to students? It doesn't seem like this is a cost-effective charity if you have even a single employee. I think you would be better off giving the underprivileged people money directly, and letting them purchase their own internet access.

> So, you are giving about $2,000 a month of value to students?

I would think access to the internet is worth more than that. There's some implicit assumptions making with the conversion to dollars that make me think it isn't that simple.

eg > 49 students are now equipped with laptops, Internet access and online courses. Our partner Georgian Airlink, a local Wifi operator, covered the end-user device installation costs while our online donors sponsor the monthly Internet fees.

To have access, you need a stable living location, with say...wiring or a working wifi access point. You know, a place with a mailbox for a bill or equivalent. Schools are a decent proxy, where there are schools. You need to have a device to access it and of course, a nontrivial amount of knowledge to safekeep/operate these fundamental requirements within poverty conditions.

Ever seen someone brick an ethernet card trying to jam in a phone line? It happens, even with a 20-something that has had a smartphone almost their entire life. So maybe some stewardship is needed.

Re: Show HN: 2.5B people can’t afford internet – need your opinion on our solution

#28

Post by jteppinette »

jibla wrote: post #25
jteppinette wrote: post #22

> We believe that Internet access is a human right. I disagree with this. This doesn't event make sense [EDIT: to me]. The internet is simply a very large network of private systems. You don't have a right to access this network, nor do you have a right to force someone to join this network. If your "human rights" can be negated by the power going out, they are quite weak. I am being nit-picky, but I just don't like…

Does it make more sense if we formulate it as "access to information" and not "Internet access"?

"We believe that everyone should have access to the internet."

Re: Show HN: 2.5B people can’t afford internet – need your opinion on our solution

#29

Post by monocasa »

Waterluvian wrote: post #8
dannykwells wrote: post #3

Why is this something that requires a non-profit to do? Facebook, Google and Amazon are desperate to get more eyeballs and clicks on their apps. Giving some one a Chromebook feels like just donating money to those companies...who definitely don't need it. Why should we, ordinary citizens contribute to this company? And have you brought it to Google and Facebook for sponsorship? Would you accept $$$ from them if they…

Yeah I think this is where regulation might be the right tool. Facebook: "well I want to give out FaceBooks that an only access our websites, but I'll settle for more eyeballs on the ads even if they use the devices to surf the web too."

Facebook was provided exactly that trade-off in India, and pulled out.

Re: Show HN: 2.5B people can’t afford internet – need your opinion on our solution

#30

Post by monocasa »

jteppinette wrote: post #22

> We believe that Internet access is a human right. I disagree with this. This doesn't event make sense [EDIT: to me]. The internet is simply a very large network of private systems. You don't have a right to access this network, nor do you have a right to force someone to join this network. If your "human rights" can be negated by the power going out, they are quite weak. I am being nit-picky, but I just don't like…

Everyone here has access to the court system as a human right, but you better believe the courthouse will be closed if the power goes out too.
Post reply on HN