The best tool to challenge children is a Raspberry Pi. They can build an entire computer from scratch for less then $100 and an old TV. Price is not what makes a tool great.
Before you put a dime into a business look for the paper. If they can't supply it run like hell. If they have no plan for profit for at least 3 years don't invest. There are some many IPO's filing were the CEO walks away with golden parachute of $50 million whether it succeeds or fails. Its not just Silicon Valley. I've seen it recently in exercise equipment and office space rental.
For tourist location it work. Government gets the money back in sales and other taxes. But in other cities it will be money pit with no possible way to recoup the cost. It can never work in rural areas because there isn't a dense enough population.
The local economist has been ascribing this move to the $15 minimum wage. His take is that the only way fast food can stay profitable, with the higher minimum wages, is automation. Computers cost less than people.
It usually comes from a recession or a depression were rewrites are finally deemed necessary. Unfortunately unless people with common sense participate in government and we vote in selfless people a generation will suffer the consequences of our inactivity.
My dream is simple OS that works kinda like DOS:
* Micro OS - Boot base from floppy drive if need be
* Let me edit a text file to left put in the pieces I wants instead of a hundred pieces I don't
* Includes BASIC language that build build a binary
* Includes text based GUI for a text editor
* Allow me to pick the drivers I want
I like concept of some Linux OS'es but the ecosystem has got some huge it takes an expert to truly understand it. For a server I really only need a network drivers, SSH client, and the server software. I maybe nostalgic but I miss the good old days.
I've been able to get the same or very similar performance with modern languages that are a lot easier to debug. It just a matter of developers and management letting go of the old ways.
Yes, because it still makes those SEO links. But more so that if you do a good press release you can cross link it on sites with higher SEO ratings. Like here if it makes it to the front page. Even if it doesn't go anywhere beyond the 'new' section a search engine will eventually pick it up.
I wouldn't pay $300 is worth it. Just do it yourself or hire a reputable PR firm. the best path to go to forums like Reddit. Talk about your product, get feedback, and build a community. Thats worth more than any press release.
I believe because of Cyrillic URL spoofing from a about 10-15 years ago most people stay away from UNICODE urls. China's numeric URL's maybe so that tracking URL's are easier, but that's just a guess.
https://shop.pi-top.com/products/pi-top