>Taran Rampersad wrote: But by the time they are distributed, everyonewill>be using palmtop computing. So the real thing to do if we want tobridge the>divide is to jump the laptop gap in the first place. Bypass thedesktop and>laptops wherever we can. Honestly, that's the only way, I think.>>Taran ->>Why? What are the real-world advantages to palmtop as opposed tolaptop?>For myself, I can't stand the microscopic screens on palm-typemachines and>many, many others have the same issue.>>It's smaller. It's really that simple. Distributed computing is coming.Let's not become the IBM President who once said that there was amarketfor only 5 computers in the world... kids growing up now are likely tobe using wearable and palmtop devices in the next 20 years while we(then) old people lug around laptops.We're not talking just about a digital divide. Resistance to change onthis will result in a generational divide as well. For the longesttime,I avoided having a laptop. Period. Now I have one, and a desktop systemis something I consider to be a pain because I have to sit where *it*is. A laptop with wireless access is better, but it's still limited byit's power cord and battery consumption. A palmtop or wearable computerextends battery life, and reduces the need for a cord. In fact... MIThas experimented (and probably still is) with computing that is poweredbythe electricity we generate when we walk.I turned 34 two days ago. In 6 years, I'll be 40. In 16 years, I'll be50. You get the idea. Let's go with 6 years. In 6 years, if 'Moore'sLaw' holds constant, I'll have lived through 4 evolutions of technologywhere the amount of processing power doubles per unit size. A laptopwill be a server, unless you need to do something like crackencryptions(hello, CARNIVORE!). Interfaces will change too.So, yes, palmtops suck for a lot of people. But check the demographicofthe people that they suck for. Hand a kid a Palm sized computer like aSimputer and see what happens. And if you want a real lesson inhumility, walk into an arcade and get schooled by a 6 year old at a 6button game. :-)>I don't understand the advantages beyond the fact that one slings overone's>shoulder and other can fit into a large pocket. That's nice, but byno>means crucial. So why move to more expensive, less adaptabletechnology?>>It's not more expensive or less adaptable. Palmtop computing is alreadygiving laptops a run for their money... if the laptop isn't runningLinux, that is. So operating system is a factor, which leads me to...>My laptop is a P-II 450. Runs XP fine. It's heavier than the newest>laptops but it does the job, and if it gets clobbered or gorked, nobig>deal.>Gorked. You'll have to explain Gorked. :-)And if you ran another operating system, your laptop will continue togive you better performance. But, then, what do you use the laptop for?Is it just using Microsoft Office and email, or do you have morespecialized applications you could use? If you only need applicationslike that, then you can do all of that with a palmtop. And if youwantedto, you could hook up a keyboard to it. They have some nice roll-upkeyboards I want to get, but the focus is on other things right now. Iexpect that if people wanted it, they could get manufacturers to allowSVideo output as well so you could hook to your comfy monitor.It works for you now, I agree. And you apparently don't walk with it onyour back too much. After the last few months and this 7.5 lb Gatewaystrapped on my back, I can tell you that I prefer something I can wearon a harness.>So I agree with Mike; let's get all the surplus laptops we can outto>those who need them NOW and worry about micro/nano tech later.>>Yeah, well... they just become obsolete and end up in landfills in thedeveloping world. I suppose it's a good place to throw the trash.--Taran RampersadPresently in: San Fernando, Trinidadcnd@knowprose.comhttp://www.knowprose.comhttp://www.easylum.nethttp://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran