Why

A computer in every hive?

Danny Hillis, co-founder of Thinking Machines Corporation, allegedly said:

I went to my first computer conference at the New York Hilton about 20 years ago. When somebody there predicted the market for microprocessors would eventually be in the millions, someone else said, "Where are they all going to go? It's not like you need a computer in every doorknob!"

Years later, I went back to the same hotel. I noticed the room keys had been replaced by electronic cards you slide into slots in the doors. There was a computer in every doorknob.

When I started this project in 2011, I would have told you that, no, you don't need a computer in every hive. You don't even need one in every apiary. All you need is one 100 miles to the south and one 100 mile to the north, so in the spring and fall you can see what is coming.

Bees are often referred to as a canary in the coal mine. Animal sentinels, or sentinel species, are animals used to detect risks to humans by providing advance warning of a danger. They must be more susceptible or have greater exposure and must have a measurable response to the hazard.

Now we are starting our 5th season of monitoring hives. Good research raises more questions than it answers. We need your data!

With Raspberry Pi's selling for $35 and all the parts needed to put together a hive monitor costing less than $100, is there any reason why not?