Now, there were plenty, and Wendell himself replied to them (see link).
I dunno if he's still up for one, but I've got one. Take his list:
1. The new tool should be cheaper than the one it replaces.
2. It should be at least as small in scale as the one it replaces.
3. It should do work that is clearly and demonstrably better than the one it replaces.
4. It should use less energy than the one it replaces.
5. If possible, it should use some form of solar energy, such as that of the body.
6. It should be repairable by a person of ordinary intelligence, provided that he or she has the necessary tools.
7. It should be purchasable and repairable as near to home as possible.
8. It should come from a small, privately owned shop or store that will take it back for maintenance and repair.
9. It should not replace or disrupt anything good that already exists, and this includes family and community relationships.
2. It should be at least as small in scale as the one it replaces.
3. It should do work that is clearly and demonstrably better than the one it replaces.
4. It should use less energy than the one it replaces.
5. If possible, it should use some form of solar energy, such as that of the body.
6. It should be repairable by a person of ordinary intelligence, provided that he or she has the necessary tools.
7. It should be purchasable and repairable as near to home as possible.
8. It should come from a small, privately owned shop or store that will take it back for maintenance and repair.
9. It should not replace or disrupt anything good that already exists, and this includes family and community relationships.
So generally, the computers have been cheaper than the previous models, and have gotten smaller, as well as faster and more feature-rich. The vast majority of machines come with a plethora of energy saving features, and of course, the solar power feature is just one of the latest innovations.
Unfortunately, most people can't put a 'clean-room' environment together so that repair of the devices could really be accomplished, but aside from those elements, the items themselves (most chips) can be popped in and out at will, and evidence has shown clearly that all sorts of normal people can be trained to use a digital probe to diagnose and repair the boards.
Now, many computers can be purchased from a small, privately owned shop, but *really*, there's not a whole lot of difference between most small shops products and most large vendors products, except that the small guys go out of business and leave you hanging more often.
And as I see it, the computer is the most positive force for improvement of earthling's existences (which include the human families and communities) that's ever been created.
It's allowed for a world-wide communication phenomenon, bypassing governments and borders (for the most part).
It's too bad that the intellectually slow (by preference or nature) want this to 'all stop' (so they can 'get off').
But the ride is *only* going to get faster and bumpier from here.
And thank *GOD* we've got the ability to finally start discussing the issues as a world culture.
So, if Wendell wants to hang on his farm with his ground up dead trees and his Royal typewriter (and his wife), that's fine by me. I wish him no ill will for desiring to be some kind of neo-Mennonite.
But if he wants to get all sanctimonious and preachy, his horse isn't high enough.
If you want to be a member of a church, you need to specify that you are offering a religion, IMHO.
I personally think it's far more appropriate to build from stone what was previously made from death wherever possible.
I don't think I'm closer to god for it, but I think it makes more sense to have news-readers rather than newspapers.
BTW, Steve Jobs is working on what I hope will be the DynaBook (bigger than the iPhone, smaller than the laptop).
As I understand it, the goal Apple's working with is to have a completely recyclable item.
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