“Ndiyo” means “yes” in Swahili. Ndiyo is also the name of a project working towards:

an approach to networked computing that is simple, affordable, open, less environmentally damaging and less dependent on intensive technical support

Basically it’s a modern take old school 1970s timesharing. An x86 PC running linux is the central, internet connected server. Then 10 – 20 thin clients can be hooked up for web surfing. Here’s a picture of a prototype thingy that hooks up to a monitor and keyboard:

Early versions of the Nivo took the form of a small box (roughly 12x8x2cm) which simply has an ethernet (network) socket, a low voltage power socket, sockets for keyboard and mouse, and a VGA (monitor) socket. This little box replaces the entire PC in a conventional computer workstation.

So on your next backpacking trip through Africa you will likely be checking your GMail using one of this little boxes.

Link to Ndiyo! FAQ page

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