One Laptop Per Child
Last Saturday, I got to play with a XO, the signature machine for the OLPC initiative. It was very cool. The design is very kid-friendly and durable, the machine seemed to run well, I had no trouble connecting with the wireless network at Shodor, and when the XOs were on (we had two of them), they instantly connected to each other, so we could easily chat or share small files. The screen flips around into a tablet configuration and includes a very good looking internal camera (much like an ibook).
I've heard the complaints about the XO--that they lack performance power and features, that they are more expensive than promised, and that they are being out-competed by the Intel Classmate--but I can't help feeling like these gripes are rooted in how spoiled we are as wealthy Americans. There's no doubt that the Classmate is more powerful, and thus able to handle more complex tasks more quickly. But I was impressed with the XO, and I think it serves a specific purpose at which the Classmate's proponents have turned up their noses. The XO screen can be viewed inside or outside, its battery lasts twice as long, and it can take power from almost any source including car batteries, solar, a foot pedal, or a hand crank (which has been omitted from the final product, but still works and is available if desired), and despite disappointing lack of bulk oders that would have brought the price down, it is still almost $100 less expensive than the Classmate.
To all of the naysayers I ask these questions: why is it crucial for these machines to run Windows? Why does it matter that the system runs a little slower? Wasn't the Apple IIe with LOGO, Number Crunchers, and Oregon Trail good enough for us? Why are large corporations aggressively competing against a well-meaning nonprofit? Are they threatened? Are they angry because OLPC chose to use a slower, but more energy-efficient processor made by another manufacturer? Is the Classmate evidence that the XO is forcing a pro-consumer market swing, or is the will the Classmate boost Intel's bottom line at the expense of a more innovative technology solution in the developing world?
So much to ponder....
Meanwhile, here are some links-
http://www.laptopmag.com/Features/Intel-vs-OLPC-Battle-of-Good-Wills.htm
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/60591.html?welcome=1198081400
http://www.laptopmag.com/News/Notebooks/Can-the-100-Laptop-Change-the-World.htm
Also, you can see comparisons on Youtube by searching for "OLPC" and if you want to donate a XO, OLPC is running a program until the end of the year where you can pay $400 for one to be shipped to a child overseas, and one shipped to a child in your life.
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I have a proposal. Naomi told me about these, and thought it would be really cool to send one to the Lucien family in Haiti (I mention them by name because BethAnn knows them). I was wondering if maybe a few of us (your readers) might want to go in together on the $400.00 deal where one would be sent to a random family and we'd get the other one to send to the Lucien Family. Their ministry is HIM in the links on our blog. Miles, if you'd like me to administer this proposal on my blog, just tell me. My proposal specifically is:
1.) Buehrles donate $200.00
2.) Others collectively send us the other $200.00
3.) Buehrle's order them and have the computer sent to us.
4.) Buehrles send it to Haiti via the U.S. contact for H.I.M.
5.) In summary one computer goes to whoever the company chooses (the one randomly donated computer), the other goes to Haiti.
I'll first let Miles comment on whether he'd like this done through his blog or mine, and then we'll go from there ...