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Why Linux and why Ubuntu?
The biggest reason is that Linux just works. If I
want to add a printer, or a Wi-Fi dongle to Windows (or even Apple's OS X), I
have to use an install CD, follow a Setup Wizard, and install all the
necessary drivers. With Ubuntu, I just have to physically plug in the
device. The interface is intuitive to first-time users, as well as Windows
users, and our version includes plenty of applications to get you started.
We migrated from Puppy Linux to Ubuntu because of the enormous support and
range of applications the Ubuntu community enjoys. And Ubuntu is very
resource-efficient. That means we get really fast performance, without
having to rely on an expensive, noisy,
power-hungry CPU — we achieve great results with a 500MHz 1W CPU.
Can it run Windows?
Yes. The E2 can run Win CE 6.0, XP Embedded, or Win2K
on its 4GB CF card. The E2 can also run XP Pro, though we recommend a hard
drive for this. We can provide systems with internal 80GB hard drives.
Please contact us for further details.
Can the E2 used as a thin client and how is it different from most thin
clients?
The E2 makes for a fantastic thin client. Each unit ships with RDP
Remote Desktop, a Windows Terminal Services 2003 client that connects much
faster to your TS 2003 server than an equivalent Windows machine. For
greater simplicity, we can provide a stripped down OS with just RDP and
Firefox that boots quicker and limits user access, and you can connect to
Edubuntu, Citrix, and Tarantella. With 512MB of onboard RAM, it's a lot less
poky than other thin clients in its price range, such as the HP Compaq t5725,
and it can handle streaming videos. The E2 is also a lot smaller than any
other thin client on the market and, of course, can be mounted on the back
of any VESA Monitor.
What are some example customers?
In the Gambia, we're supplying 15 E2
Profiles for an IT training lab that will let students use Linux for web
browsing, and OpenOffice work, but can connect to a Microsoft TS server to
access certain Microsoft apps. In Tanzania, we're providing 2 E2s with a
solar panel and car battery for a classroom that's completely off the grid.
And in the UK, we're working with schools who value the E2 for its
flexibility — put 30 in any classroom since you don't need to rewire the
electrics or install air conditioners, as you would with larger PCs.
What about using it as a web server?
The E2, because of its low power
consumption and the reliability of solid-state storage versus hard drive, is
an ideal box to leave on forever. And now that we've upgraded the specs to
512MB RAM and a 500MHz CPU, it can handle big spikes in traffic too. We
think it makes a great LAMP box.
How is the E2 different from the OLPC?
We include a warranty of 3 Years,
not 30 days. Our customers are not Ministries of Education but individuals
and businesses who buy our computer because it provides immediate economic
gain and because it can be used in areas without power. We treat our PCs as
others treat hot-swappable components — if an E2 fails, we (or are local
resellers who keep extra stock) just supply a new box. You re-insert your CF
card and all your settings and programs are still there — you can back up
and running right away.
Why not go the laptop route (like the Asus Eee)?
We considered a laptop design but feedback from customers drove us
to concentrate on a desktop. If the display fails, a second-hand LCD
or even a TV can be used in its place.
Don't people in Africa need food and medicine relief and not
computers?
Obviously providing food relief and medicine is important but that
view portrays Africa as a refugee camp of 900 million. Many face
hardship, but tens of millions of entrepreneurs are just trying to
get on with their businesses. We look to provide a tool that lets
them do that, and this explains why spreadsheets are its most popular
application.
Isn't a mobile phone more useful?
Mobile phones are great communication devices. But the input sucks.
Who wants to write a lengthy email using T9 predictive on a two inch
screen? Let alone draft an important spreadsheet.
What about Smartphones?
Smartphones are a start but they are designed to frequently connect
to the more reliable Mothership that is your desktop or laptop.
Their operating systems are slow, unstable, and far too closed.
Do you distribute products besides the E2?
We resell mesh networking equipment. High-speed Internet in Africa
is hard to obtain and painfully expensive. We provide and install
equipment from Meraki and LocustWorld.com that can wirelessly
distribute one connection over large geographic areas. We're doing a
project in Gambia that would enable residents of Banjul to simply
buy daily scratch cards to access the web and will provide free
access to Government sites and to Wikipedia.
Why the name Aleutia?
Aleutia refers to the chain of islands off the coast of Alaska. It's
an extraordinarily beautiful and yet enormously challenging area
that we're proud to take as a name for the rugged technology that we
offer for such remote areas.
What does the "E" in E2 stand for?
Empowerment.
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