Playpower.org

The machine we are investigating at IDDS is based upon the Nintendo Famicom (The Japanese version of the Nintendo Entertainment System–NES).  The reason why we have chosen this platform is

1. All relevant patents have expired (patents last for 20 years, and the Famicom was released in 1983)
2. Many different brands of Famicom Clones are currently being manufactured in China, with a keyboard, mouse, and game controllers, all for a wholesale cost of less than $10
3. There is a wealth of content on this platform, educational and otherwise
4. There is a large and active online NES community that has developed resources to help create new games and content

The first point is most important.  For because the patents on this hardware have expired, this machine is defacto public-domain (however, the software or games are still very much protected by copyright laws).  Therefore, a primary purpose of PlayPower is to cultivate an online open-hardware and open-software community that has a focus on hacking these Famicom Clones and producing computer-aided learning materials.

Amy Smith, in the D-Lab

I’ve just arrived in Cambridge to attend this amazing summit, hosted by Amy Smith’s D-Lab at MIT.  Over 60 people from all over the world have gathered here at MIT to work for a month, in teams of 6, on appropriate technologies for developing countries.  My roommate is Shaibu, from Tanzania — he works for Global Alliance Africa, and helps runs a bike shop in Arusha that works with Bikes Not Bombs.

Catch more information about the Summit here!

http://www.iddsummit.blogspot.com/