The Hindu Business Line : Just a peek

A sudden flash - and a great idea on using technology hits you. You can even visualise your business plan. But you don't have a launch platform, and don't know whom to approach? Worst case, you are plain lazy and would be happy to see someone else use this idea?

You've reached the right end - eWorld. Send in ideas you think will work, with your full name and postal address, to eworld@thehindu.co.in. Wholly new ideas, untested by any company, are preferable. At the least, your idea should be unique.

Who knows, that elusive VC you were chasing might want to chase you instead.

Here's the first piece for this `Got any ideas' column.

IF you have a school-going child, wouldn't you like a chance to keep a friendly eye on your kid at school?

Sure. That's why we thought a web cam in every class in every school would be a great idea. Each class would be assigned a URL that parents could check every now and then. It can even be a continuously open browser in their machines at work. If the parent is so keen to continuously track her ward, she can switch URLs depending on the time-table of her child's class.The deterrent to this is that a teacher might not want parents looking over his/her shoulder during the class in session. Fair enough. But then parents wouldn't need audio, just the video. Which weary parent would want to listen to a math lecture intended for Class IX?The academic institution itself could provide the service. It could also outsource it to third-party providers if it so wants.Now, what would it cost? We were trying to work out the one-time as well as running costs of this venture, when we chanced upon a company that had tried its luck with this offering.

T. Chandramohan, Director, BharatPlanet Consulting, told eWorld, "A closed circuit television system would work out cheaper than web cameras. Our calculation told us that, assuming a per-class strength of 35, the one-time cost per student would Rs 350 while running costs would come to Rs 3 per month per student."

Chandramohan did try selling the concept to colleges but found some resistance from institutions. Althoughparents would welcome it, for in the event of a roof collapse or fire in the school premises, being able to track one's child would be a huge relief.

eWorld team

Picture by V. Sreenivasa Murthy

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