MIT researchers tracked cast-off Netbooks to find out what the "afterlives" of our electronic gadgets are like.
They sent refurbished Netbooks to people in developing countries. The researchers set up the computers to record location and take pictures, and send the data home to MIT. The Netbooks carried stickers explaining the project in the local language.
The ghostly images are random windows into the everyday lives of people in Africa, South Asia, and Indonesia. Here, we're traveling to Kathmandu, Nepal.
Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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A new home in Kathmandu
One Netbook found a home in a shop in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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Hello, world
Not every shot captured the computer's new owners unawares.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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Unaware, self-conscious, or unconcerned?
Was she unaware, self-conscious, or unconcerned?
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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The shop in Nepal
The sign on the wall gives you a good picture of the shop.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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Accra, Ghana
Another Netbook found a second life in a classroom in Accra, Ghana.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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A classroom in Ghana
MIT collected the pictures and location data with the new owners' permission.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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The Ghanaian flag on a classroom wall
A Netbook in Ghana snapped a photo of the Ghanaian flag on a classroom wall.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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A moment in a Ghanaian student's day
A refurbished Netbook's camera captures a moment in a Ghanaian student's day.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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Wandering attention?
Is this Ghanaian student's attention wandering?
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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Calcutta, India
A third cast-off Netbook's new life is in a home in Kolkata (Calcutta), India.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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A home in India
The images provide a glimpse into the lives of computer users in developing countries.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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An empty room
The Netbooks snapped pictures every 20 minutes, sometimes capturing empty rooms.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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Random framing, beautiful image
Random framing sometimes results in beautiful images.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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Intent on work in Calcutta
A computer user in Kolkata (Calcutta) seems intent on his work.
Updated:Caption:Eric SmalleyPhoto:MIT Senseable City Lab video; screenshot by Eric Smalley/CNET
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Cast-off Netbooks send home snapshots of 'afterlife' (photos)
