Friday, May 28, 2004
WiFi and the Art of Yak Husbandry
Posted by Pat Logsdon in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 11:00 AM
"Yak farmers in the mountains of Nepal are using wireless internet technology to keep in touch with their families. They are taking advantage of a wi-fi network set up in a remote region of the mountain kingdom where there are no phones or other means of communication.
"It is the result of a campaign led by local teacher Mahabir Pun, and backed by volunteers and donations, to bring the internet to an isolated part of the world. 'Yak farmers are using the network to buy and sell livestock, and exchange vetinerary tips,' said Mr Pun. 'After we had the network, we could talk to the people taking care of the yak and ask them if they had problems, for example if they needed medicine or food or if they had any messages for their families. They can send messages via e-mail and also they can do it through NetMeeting video conferencing software, so they can also talk.' Mr Pun [also] said they were now looking at ways of using the WiFi network for distance learning as there is a shortage of qualified teachers in the area." In addition to exchanging tips on proper yak care, the villagers are using their internet access to sell authentic Nepali handicrafts, raise funds for their school, and yes, even participate in forums.
So how does all of this work? "Pokhara is the nearest city to the villages, this is where we set up a server that connects to the internet. The server also provides the internal mail system for all the villages. On top of the building that houses the server, we have a radio pointing to Relay Station 1 which is 22 miles away. Relay Station 1 sits atop a mountain at 11,000 ft. One antenna points to Pokhara to pick up the signal from the server, while two other antennas point to Village 1 and Relay Station 2, respectively. There is no electricity on the mountain, so the radios are powered by two solar panels and a wind generator.
Relay Station 2 is located high in the Annapurna Mountain Range at the Khopra Yak farm (12,000 ft). The relay station has three radios: one connects to Relay Station 1 and the other two transmit to Villages 2, 4 and 5. There is no power at the yak farm, the radios are powered by wind and solar power. Tikot was the last village to be connected. Teachers and students can access the network from a computer in the main office. From there, the signal travels roughly 36 miles to the server in Pokhara!"
I'd originally picked up this story because I thought it could be funny, but I ended up being flat-out impressed. The whole enterprise is an extraordinary achievement, and a true testament to how much can be done with so little. My brightly colored knitted cap is off to the farmers, villagers, and volunteers around the world who made it possible for me to share this story with you. :D
"It is the result of a campaign led by local teacher Mahabir Pun, and backed by volunteers and donations, to bring the internet to an isolated part of the world. 'Yak farmers are using the network to buy and sell livestock, and exchange vetinerary tips,' said Mr Pun. 'After we had the network, we could talk to the people taking care of the yak and ask them if they had problems, for example if they needed medicine or food or if they had any messages for their families. They can send messages via e-mail and also they can do it through NetMeeting video conferencing software, so they can also talk.' Mr Pun [also] said they were now looking at ways of using the WiFi network for distance learning as there is a shortage of qualified teachers in the area." In addition to exchanging tips on proper yak care, the villagers are using their internet access to sell authentic Nepali handicrafts, raise funds for their school, and yes, even participate in forums.
So how does all of this work? "Pokhara is the nearest city to the villages, this is where we set up a server that connects to the internet. The server also provides the internal mail system for all the villages. On top of the building that houses the server, we have a radio pointing to Relay Station 1 which is 22 miles away. Relay Station 1 sits atop a mountain at 11,000 ft. One antenna points to Pokhara to pick up the signal from the server, while two other antennas point to Village 1 and Relay Station 2, respectively. There is no electricity on the mountain, so the radios are powered by two solar panels and a wind generator.
Relay Station 2 is located high in the Annapurna Mountain Range at the Khopra Yak farm (12,000 ft). The relay station has three radios: one connects to Relay Station 1 and the other two transmit to Villages 2, 4 and 5. There is no power at the yak farm, the radios are powered by wind and solar power. Tikot was the last village to be connected. Teachers and students can access the network from a computer in the main office. From there, the signal travels roughly 36 miles to the server in Pokhara!"
I'd originally picked up this story because I thought it could be funny, but I ended up being flat-out impressed. The whole enterprise is an extraordinary achievement, and a true testament to how much can be done with so little. My brightly colored knitted cap is off to the farmers, villagers, and volunteers around the world who made it possible for me to share this story with you. :D
