First, an appology. I said SATA, but the internal HDD is PATA / IDE. (oops)
The thing even does SMART diagnostics on the HDD:
http://www.hyperdrive.com/kb_results.asp?ID=95
Quote:
Originally Posted by athlonkmf
The question is... why?
By the time I've finished my 200MB+2GB+8GB worth of ebooks, I think I might be able to get back to my computer to switch books...
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You might be able to, but what about a soldier stuck in IRAQ?
What about a school kid in a country governed by sharia law?
What about someone interested in libertarian ideas who lives in China?
What about a couple of college kids on a cross-country bike trip?
What about a bright kid stuck in a 3rd world country, where running water is a rareity?
I've got 2 audiences in mind: (1) someone who is told they should not be reading "inapropriate" material, and (2) someone who is out of touch with modern infrastructure
This is a toy for the rich at $1k per setup, but we've seen computer prices drop over time. I recall a 5MB, $5k hard disk that was difficult to lift. Today, 256MB keychain drives are $3.99.
One day, we'll have a $10 device that contains every book ever published. That should scare the heck out of every non-libertarian. he he he
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taylor514ce
And then imagine it had a built-in tutorial, an AI that could teach you to read... or how to use the device.
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One of my research projects (that I have a few students working on) is to build a database (PHP / MySQL) to make searching quick. I hope an eBook reader will be able to use the database. Right now, it runs on a cheap NAS unit's built-in web server.
The system includes language learning tools that should work for an illiterate person.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taylor514ce
Then imagine a primitive alien civilization gets hold of it (Vernor Vinge's "A Fire Upon The Deep" - best-realized aliens EVER)... or that it gets sent back in time to Stone Age England.
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I'll look up the book. It sounds like me idea of a great story.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taylor514ce
Just when Tagart learns to read and discover... the battery dies.
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Just my luck.
Andy Out!