Wooden USB flash disk

[D_o_S]

We've seen USB flash disks in various designs, be it plastic, cloth or leather. Now, wooden flash disks are on their way.

Sao Tome e Principe is a West African country with a population of about 150.000, located on the Guinea Gulf along the Equator. SEED 2006, a Design and Social Economy project financially supported by the Portuguese Cooperation and developed by designer Pedro Alegria, introduced USB flash card design to local craftsmen, all of whom had never seen or heard of such things before. The end result merges traditional "forgotten" craft with hot technology on the rise, sustaining the working families' needs and offering unique craft-designs to the masses.

The project is currently seeking large orders to maintain and increase production.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Jimmy 2004]

That's... interesting... perhaps we'll be seeing more wooden computers soon?

 

[demonbrawn]

Yeah, that would would look great right next to my black and silver.... but hey, at least they're supplying jobs for those folks.

 

[pt]

Looks like a good ideia, just keep it away from fire and it's fine

 

[W1zzard]

i have a feeling that those poor african doods get like 10 cents for each wooden shell

 

[newtekie1]

The end result merges traditional "forgotten" craft with hot technology on the rise

I hope they aren't using those lexar drives that were just recalled, then they would be really hot.

 

[Jimmy 2004]

Well that could be a way to prevent someone stealing your data... enter the password wrong, the whole thing heats up and catches alight.

 

[pt]

They probabily win almost nothing for their work, but better work for money than not working at all

 

[DaJMasta]

i have a feeling that those poor african doods get like 10 cents for each wooden shell

Though when your entire family's income is less than $1000 a year, 10 cents is something.


The only reason it's viable is the labor cost, if we tried to do something like that here, it would at least double the price of the drive.

Neat idea though.

 

[Polaris573]

The only reason it's viable is the labor cost, if we tried to do something like that here, it would at least double the price of the drive.

Neat idea though.

A good example of why that's not necessarily true is the manufacture of T-Shirts. Think about it. Disney produces T-Shirts in say Bangledesh. They Pay each worker 15 cent's a shirt to make and the materials/shipping costs $11 per shirt (probably slightly exaggerated). Disney then sells the shirt for $20. Now pay the worker a measly $2 per shirt and pass the cost on to the consumer. Wow now you have to pay $22 for your Disney shirt what a miserable world. If your paying workers by the amount they produce then prices won't double if you give them a raise. In fact, it would probably help in the long run because the people wouldn't be as dependent on charity.

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

We've seen USB flash disks in various designs, be it plastic, cloth or leather. Now, wooden flash disks are on their way.





Source: Core 77 design blog

All in favor of arranging a mass order say I!

I need one of these to match my wood PC!

 

[NamesDontMatter]

I actually think this is cool, it is giving these people work, which is something they greatly need. I wish they got payed more for their work, but don't we all. I'm sure at least everyone of us has like Polaris mentioned earlier T-Shirts made in Bangledesh or some other country where people get payed almost nothing for their labor.

The designs of them look pretty cool, it is much different then what is usually seen. I probably won't be getting one, but its still cool.

All in favor of arranging a mass order say I!

I need one of these to match my wood PC!

http://www.voidedwarranty.com/PC_Case_Reviews/p2_articleid/46

 

[Jimmy 2004]

But that case doesn't appear to have a motherboard in it...

 

[NamesDontMatter]

But that case doesn't appear to have a motherboard in it...

?? Are you telling me it's difficult to put a motherboard in a PC? I don't understand what your saying. If you really want to you can buy me one, and I'll put a motherboard in it.

 

[Jimmy 2004]

?? Are you telling me it's difficult to put a motherboard in a PC? I don't understand what your saying. If you really want to you can buy me one, and I'll put a motherboard in it.

If it's actually made of wood, just thought it might not have a mobo in because it wasn't safe?

 

[error_f0rce]

I think it's awesome that by buying these flash drives we can provide work for those people. When 40% of the population is below the poverty line, like in Guinea for example (2003), every bit of work helps. Reference: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gv.html

 

[evil bill]

If it's actually made of wood, just thought it might not have a mobo in because it wasn't safe?

clearly its NOT made of wood, its the same case as mine but painted

I did have a wooden PC but..................wait for it....................it WOODEN't work

 

[newtekie1]

Its not painted. That is a really thing layer of wood glued to the outside of the case.

 

[Jimmy 2004]

clearly its NOT made of wood, its the same case as mine but painted

I did have a wooden PC but..................wait for it....................it WOODEN't work

Actually I just read the website it came from and it is actually coated with real wood, not painted as you suggest. It also is slightly different to the one in you pic from the front and also has doesn't have the small rectangular window on the side.

 

[evil bill]

Actually I just read the website it came from and it is actually coated with real wood, not painted as you suggest. It also is slightly different to the one in you pic from the front and also has doesn't have the small rectangular window on the side.

fair enough, but it is the same case as mine. I was too lazy to take a picture of mine so I used a photo from the website I bought it from

you have now shamed me into doing so. Please note it doesnt sit there when the heating is on

 

[Jimmy 2004]

fair enough, but it is the same case as mine. I was too lazy to take a picture of mine so I used a photo from the website I bought it from

you have now shamed me into doing so. Please note it doesnt sit there when the heating is on

The power switch is slighly different...

Anyway, I'm obviously not being serious anymore, they're nearly the same.

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

I actually think this is cool, it is giving these people work, which is something they greatly need. I wish they got payed more for their work, but don't we all. I'm sure at least everyone of us has like Polaris mentioned earlier T-Shirts made in Bangledesh or some other country where people get payed almost nothing for their labor.

The designs of them look pretty cool, it is much different then what is usually seen. I probably won't be getting one, but its still cool.


http://www.voidedwarranty.com/PC_Case_Reviews/p2_articleid/46

Thats just a vynal on the aluminum isnt it? maybe not.. either way, it still uses an aluminum mounting... and insides... really takes all the fun out of the "cool case" imo.. Mine is... pure.. solid red oak....

Geez people.. use the real stuff!

http://www.techpowerup.com/gallery/43

 

[newtekie1]

Lucite>Wood

For making cases out of.

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

Lucite>Wood

For making cases out of.

wood matches more than lucite and looks a hellova lot better