In the last couple of years, other initiatives for providing information to users with no internet access have been popping up around the world. An interesting one is Lantern, a crowd-sourced project. Lantern is a tiny web server with a built-in wireless hotspot. Any WiFi-enabled device (laptops, smartphones) can connect to Lantern and access its content. What's unique to Lantern is where the content is coming from. Lantern has a satellite receiver; and it constantly downloads content (at the slow rate of 2MB/day) using a broadcast signal from an Outernet satellite in space. It then saves the files on its internal storage, and users can then access the offline content using their devices.
The focus of MDIF, the organisation behind the project with a mission to help "build free, thriving societies", is a human-rights one:
"All data consumed on Lantern is anonymous... eradicates information poverty and censorship everywhere on Earth. Since Lantern is so small, it can be used discreetly. Can't buy Lantern in your part of the world? We show you how to build one."
Still, Lantern can be used for educational purposes as well, provided schools have WiFi devices. But what about the content? According to the website, Wikipedia and Khan Academy will be available for download. At the rate of 2MB/day, however, a few years will be needed to download these resources.
What do you think, can Lantern be useful in remote schools in Bhutan? Add your comment below.
What do you think, can Lantern be useful in remote schools in Bhutan? Add your comment below.
 |
| The Lantern (the small stick on the ground) can be used discreetly |
No comments:
Post a Comment
We love to hear from our readers!
Comments are reviewed before being published, so it might take a few hours before you see your comments posted.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.