See inline

On Fri, Dec 25, 2015 at 2:18 PM, Nick Hilliard <nick@netability.ie> wrote:
Geert Jan de Groot wrote:
> Perhaps we can ask RIPE whether or not to include the supplies
> when a set of ambassador-probes is prepared

What plug fitting, though?

> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_plugs_and_sockets

If you look at this list: http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/ which is a more practical resource, you will see that many sockets are compatible with plug type C. in fact, only the following plugs needs to be provided: A, C, D, G, I, M.

perhaps in your country it's not a problem, but you really need to take a world view if you want to have world-view coverage of probes. more on that below.


USB type A is probably the most portable micro-power supply format in
existence and locally compatible adapters are easily available in almost
all countries in the world.  Requesting that the RIPE NCC provide PSUs
is turning a minor quibble on the part of Atlas users into a major
stocking and expense headache for the RIPE NCC.


I disagree - considering the already large expense and stocking of probes, adding PSUs when bought in bulk should not be a major increase and will help get more coverage in some remote places that need it. this in return may well be worth some increase of system abuse. at the very least this should be strongly considered in countries which suffer from a sub-par probe-to-eyeball ratio.
 
Also, most switches, routers and home CPEs have USB type A sockets in
them, which are ideal for powering probes.  Personally I've never
connected up a probe on its own dedicated power supply.


This is exactly where the problem starts - you inferring from your own personal experiences and casting it unto others. so let me entertain you about this: I live in a modern OECD country but there is a duopoly on internet infrastructure (split from ISPs), and 3 major consumer ISPs. The selection of routers or STB-router combos you will find at homes tends be relatively uniform. as it happens the cable company routers either lack the USB ports or have them unpowered. I would wager this situation can be even worse in other countries where there is an even tighter hold on the market - so if ambassadors ask for it, I would at the very least listen to their concerns and not dismiss them.

here's a good (and related) read: http://sietch-tabr.tumblr.com/post/126738515322/installing-atlas-probe-in-mongolia
can you guess the number of active probes in mongolia right now? 4 disconnected and 1 abandoned probe.
 
Nick

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