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Real snail mail

Last post 08/07/2008 22:39 by frog67. 1 replies.
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  • Snail [sn] Real snail mail
    26/06/2008 12:29

    This is such a daft idea, it's brilliant! Smile

    Snail The World's first webmail service that uses real snails.

    RealSnailMail has been set up by a couple of researchers from the National Centre for Computer Animation at Bournemouth University. 

    The RealSnailMail project is essentially a relay for emails, but instead of providing instantaneous communication at the speed of light, sent messages will literally travel at 0.03mph (0.05km/h) and could take days, weeks or even months to arrive! 

    Three snails (Cecil, Austin, and Muriel) have been equipped with RFID chips (miniaturised electronic circuit and antenna, increasingly used in shops and factories) that enables them to be assigned messages from hardware located within their enclosure.

    The moment you click ‘send’ your email will travel at the speed of light to the "snail server" where it will await collection by a "snail agent".

    When one of the intrepid snails passes close enough to the electronic gizmo, the tiny electronic chip on the snail's shell receives your message which will then be carried around by the snail as it ambles around its tank until it chances by the drop off point.

    Hardware located at this point collects the message from the snail and forwards it on the net, once more at light speed to its final destination.

    At the time of writing, 16 emails have successfully been delivered, with Agent 002 (aka Austin) romping into the lead with 11 deliveries at an average of 4.8 days per delivery. Agent 001 (Cecil) has delivered 5 emails to date and languishing in third place, Agent 003 (Muriel) is yet to make any deliveries.

    If you can stand the frenetic pace and excitement, the RealSnailMail website has up to date delivery stats, including availability of the snails as well as profiles of the snails and a webcam so you can see them in action.

    Snail 

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  • Re: Real snail mail
    08/07/2008 22:39
    In reply to ...

     Genius idea. Completely useless but fun Big Smile

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