Computer makers are turning their attention – reluctantly – to low powered 'netbooks' that are cheaper and more energy efficient. Experts have claimed that there will be a very large market for such devices worldwide. Even though manufacturer's already thin profit margins will be stretched even more by these low cost devices, the high volume of sales is expected keep prices low in a very competitive market.
There is a growing demand all over the world for low-cost portals for Internet access for people and tasks that do not require the processing power found in an average laptop. A great deal of computing power resides inside our computers unused and as any computer geek will testify, "a clock cycle not used now is a clock cycle never used.” A processor idling around is a wasted resource because processing power is expensive, especially for corporate accountants who do not like to see their capitol being tied down to resources that are not used optimally.
A cheap, low powered computer that is merely powerful enough to render a webpage would not have seemed like a great idea even a few years ago. However, with faster networks that can deliver processing power on demand from cloud computing technology that is coming of age, it seems like the ground has finally been prepared for such an idea to take root.
The high cost of relatively powerful computers has for many years made computing terminals inaccessible to most of the world population. Affordable terminals that can be specked down without a serious decline in performance due to the ready availability of processing power from the network, has the potential to make ICT services available to a much larger audience - especially in the developing world who will for the first time be able to cross the threshold of being able to own a terminal.
Backed by the necessary infrastructure, market leadership and foster by innovation and correct government policy, the 'netbook' has the potential to be used as a powerful tool for development.
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Baud Rate
Baud Rate is the number of signalling elements that occur each second. The term is named after J.M.E. Baudot, the inventor of the Baudot telegraph code.
At slow speeds, only one bit of information (signalling element) is encoded in each electrical change. The baud, therefore, indicates the number of bits per second that are transmitted.
For example, 300 baud means that 300 bits are transmitted each second (abbreviated 300 bps). Assuming asynchronous communication, which requires 10 bits per character; this translates to 30 characters per second (cps). For slow rates (below 1,200 baud), you can divide the baud by 10 to see how many characters per second are sent. At higher speeds, it is possible to encode more than one bit in each electrical change. 4,800 baud may allow 9,600 bits to be sent each second.
At high data transfer speeds, therefore, data transmission rates are usually expressed in bits per second (bps) rather than baud. For example, a 9,600 bps modem may operate at only 2,400 baud.
– webopedia.com
A new report called Smart 2020, published by The Climate Group and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative, says transformation in the way people and businesses use technology could reduce annual man-made global emissions by 15pc by 2020 and deliver significant energy efficiency savings to global businesses.
The report says the information and communication technology (ICT) sector's unique ability to monitor and maximise energy efficiency could result in a saving of 7.8 giga-tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent by 2020 – greater than the current annual emissions of either the US or China. Although tele-working, videoconferencing, e-paper and e-commerce are increasingly commonplace; the report notes that replacing physical products and services with their virtual equivalents is only one part of the estimated low-carbon benefits the ICT sector can deliver.
Far greater opportunities for emissions savings exist, it says, in applying ICT to global infrastructure and industry and the report examines four major opportunities: Smart building design and use; smart logistics; smart electricity grids and smart industrial motor systems. |
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