Big Idea 2015: Make Your Own Tab

In this series of posts, Influencers and members predict the ideas and trends that will shape 2015. Read all the stories here and write your own (please include the hashtag #BigIdeas2015 in the body of your post).

I am not a freak of ideas, but I do care for new things. Those items inspire me most where you have something to do with your own mind and hands. Coming are the days when you will assemble your own devices. As the assembler you have the freedom to design your own gadgets.

Branded product is an old idea

Everybody buys a branded product. That is an old idea. My friend's 14 year old daughter Jane is making her own device, i.e., assembling her own computer. By deciding to assemble her own computer, she has the freedom to choose which sets of computer hardware she likes to use. She can choose the size of the computer memory or RAM, the size of the hard disk, the DVD writer, keyboard, mice etc. Moreover, assembling a computer she gets a first hand knowledge about the device. She can invite her friends to learn computer assembling. She and her friends may even go to organize an outreach in a local club to enlighten other young and older people in the community. Above all, it is an fun filling learning experience. And, for doing all these Jane and her friends can get help from college student volunteers or from the Internet.

One can now make one's own Tab

Lets talk about a Tablet computer or Tab which is very popular nowadays. One can now design one's own Tab using a single-board computer, such as a Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi is a credit card-sized single-board computer developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation with the intention of promoting the teaching of basic computer science in schools. One can choose a proper touch screen, a battery and a charger and put all of these inside a 3D printed box. One can customize your Tab according to the need and choice. Of course, if one doesn't have a knack of working out one's own devices, this plot will not work.

Today's youngsters are not shy of playing with a device. I am very optimistic about them. And, some of the elders are also equally enthusiastic to inspire and give the learning devices to them. The Raspberry Pi board is specially prepared to inspire and incite the youngsters. More than five million Raspberry Pi were sold in the last two year. So, the kids and their guardians liked it very much.

This is a current trend. I hope you like this idea. I would love to get your critical inputs. Please feel free to comment or ask any question. Here, at LinkedIn, I often write on science, technology and management issues in everyday life. If you would like to read my posts regularly, then please click 'Follow' and send me a LinkedIn invite. You may follow me at Twitter.

Here are some other posts I have written:

• Big Data Care
• Look at Your Own Self
• GNU/Linux, Free Software and the Society
• Let's Fix it: Get Rid of Computer Virus for Good

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Debesh Choudhury is an academician and researcher. He is interested in the science and engineering of optics and electronics. He uses GNU/Linux, Free and Open Source Software for all his works related to computers, be it educational or entertainment, professional or personal.