On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 11:57:05 +0900 (JST), Curt Sampson <cjs@cynic.net>
wrote:
> On Sun, 10 Aug 2003, James K. Lowden wrote:
> 
> > Although now that you mention it, the Simputer might not be strictly
> > necessary.  OTOH, I'd certainly by a beer for the first fellow to boot
> > it up in netbsd.
> 
> If someone is seriously thinking about working on this, I'd far rather
> see a NetBSD port to the Sharp Zarus. It's got a faster processor, more
> memory, colour screen, more peripherals, a keyboard, and it happens to
> be cheaper as well. The new ones run Linux, and of course source is
> available.

The Simputer has different goals from the Zaurus, and is aimed at a
different market.  Also, as you know, the hardware design is free.  In
quantity, such a limited machine should be priced well below the current
prototypes.  The folks at simputer.org hope it will be the volkswagen of
Indian computers.  I think we could do worse things than promote NetBSD in
India.  

I arranged to buy two on Friday in Bangalore, at a significant discount. 
I'm attaching their mail.  If anyone here would like me to bring one back
for him, I'd be glad to.  I'm sure they'd offer you the same price.  I'd
tell you what it is, but was asked to "treat it as confidential", so I can
hardly include it in a publicly archived message. Email him directly and
I'll bring the goods.  

Regards, 

--jkl

Hello Mr. Lowden:

Thanks for your mail and your confirmation to pick up 2 V3 BEL-PicoPeta 
Simputers from us. We appreciate your noble objectives of wanting to
purchase 
Simputers, and gladly welcome you to PicoPeta on Friday, August 15th.

I will have the Simputers packaged and and ready by then, and will meet
you 
on Friday. Please call me in the morning to confirm when we can meet (my
hand 
phone number in Bangalore is 9845234238). 

I confirm the pricing mentioned and the total invoice amount. Payment can
be 
made either by cash or a local checque / DD addressed to PicoPeta
Simputers 
Private Limited. 

In terms of showcasing the product, we will have an advanced commercial 
version of the Simputer (branded as the Amida Simputer) launched in India
in 
the next 3 months. This version will have colour and backlight besides a 
sleek new package and a new end user software layer, and is expected to be

priced below Rs. 20,000. We will be happy to let you know as soon as we
have 
saleable samples.

In terms of Simputers for your colleagues, assuming that they can reach a 
decision, I can make the necessary arrangements with a note from them as
late 
as tomorrow afternoon. 

Looking forward to meeting you,

Best regards,

Vikram Srivats

Manager - Customer Delivery    
PicoPeta Simputers Pvt. Ltd.             Phone:+91-80-3618184/5/6 
146, 5th Cross, RMV Extension            Fax:+91-80-3617568
Bangalore - 560080 India.                Email:vikram@picopeta.com
http://www.picopeta.com