[seul-edu] ebook readers and other such devices...

[Adam Cody <acody@lucent.com>]

 Last night while I'll reading the great replies back to my posting
about home-schoolers I started to think about what else would be a
variable I'm missing in a "complete schooling" enviroment. The device
itself ! The pc isn't the best device to use for schooling. Period. A
desktop computer isn't mobile, isn't optimized for comfort, and other
such problems arise when you think that a child might need to be in
front of some device for 4 to 8 hours per day to recieve the educational
content.
  I remember looking at the ebook related stuff a while back and think
close but no cigar. They had no or very little "input" ability and used
non open source formatting for text. Those where the two biggies I had
with them if my memory is right.**Note, I'll provide links at the bottom
of message on the devices** But, man, to have a cheap, simple, and
portable way to view "text" without having to buy the paper version of
the book or magizine. I started some drawings and some brain storming on
the idea. I believe I found some creativity answers but that's a
different message. Anyways, what appies to this mailing list is the idea
that "what if the hard resource changes"?
  What if we build up all this nice apps and creative documentation
formats that only work on the "desktop" pc model and in one year these
ebook readers and  tablet sized devices become the best and most wide
spread solution for students? And if you think about it, why wouldn't
they! What I wouldn't of give to be able to carry a 2 pound electronic
devices to my college in Alaska during winter rather than lugging the
15+ pounds of text books like I did! I will keep stressing that
"content" has to be the focus before apps. If the majority of
"schooling" is simply the delivery of content that simply is meant to be
read these new devices will win. I can carry the thing home and upload /
download from my pc or laptop but the primary device will be the ebook
thingie.
If, and they should, these device increase the ability to interact with
the content it's a done deal for their success in the educational
market. Give them basic sound, a writing pen device/ track ball, with
some network connectivity (infra, radio, and so forth) and sign me up
for 20 of them. **The links will show the market is moving if not there
already and the prices are under $400, some on running Linux**
  If these devices get better input and stress quality displaying of
text then students could take tests on them, write papers, have access
to their need text books and so forth. Come home upload / save the
personal data on their home pc via some wireless network device.
Wireless network device on them is a must. A teacher could have a
wireless hub for their class. Students then would upload the test, get
the test/homework and so forth. Shoot, if they did html of tcp on the
wireless have the teach do the test via web server technology.
  I'll end it here to see if anyone else is interested in this topic and
if it's a concern to the group.

Adam Cody

I'm sure there is a lot more out there. This will get those interested
started.

http://www.allnetdevices.com/news/9911/991122linux/991122linux.html
http://www.mobibook.com/download/dwnlmac.htm  (Mobibook read software,
Linux version!!)
http://www.screenmedia.com/
http://www.qubit.net/
http://www.qubit.net/
http://www.softbook.com/