Appropriate technology is an approach to design for development which emphasizes, in a nutshell, better design for essential low-cost technologies which local communities can build and repair themselves. The Appropriate Technology Wiki Porject is a new effort to both update the classic Appropriate Technology Sourcebook and to facilitate open source design.

It's a really cool site, with already including ideas for Agricultural Tools; Aquaculture; Beekeeping; BioGas; Crop Drying, Preservation, and Storage; Improved Cookstoves and Charcoal Production; Nonformal Education and Training; Small Enterprises and Cooperatives; Solar Energy; and Water Supply and Sanitation as well as a bunch of other interesting information.

(via Emeka)