PCs for the Poor
News.com discusses the various designs and mentions the thin client:
What it is: Thin clients are inexpensive, lightweight terminals that rely on servers to store data and crunch numbers. They're used by banks, airlines and insurance companies in the west, and entrepreneurs such as India's Rajesh Jain and academics like Deepak Phatak and Ashok Jhunjhunwala are promoting them for rural use.
Pros: Because they don't need fast processors or a hard drive, thin clients can be produced for about $100, including a used monitor. Some designs use an existing TV to cut costs further. The fact that the software is centralized on a server also makes it easier to handle upgrades and control viruses. Interestingly, local leaders, rather than multinationals, are behind this one.
Cons: Thin clients rely on servers, so if the server goes out, the terminals go down. Users have also said that thin clients can run slowly if too many people log on to the server, but proponents say the technology has steadily improved.
On Presentations
Business Week offers advice: "Give your audience a reason to listen right from the start. Research shows that listeners tend to remember the first part of a presentation and the end. If those parts are what stick, use them to your advantage."
Cons can be taken care in two ways...
1.Using XEn and running the multiple instances of operating system to support thin client's connections something like a load balancing mode.
2.Running a thin impression of OS on a flash/cd/floppy/DOM etc on the thin client and using something like meta directory database to support applications in offline mode if server is down.
Rajeev
Posted by Rajeev Sharma