OLPC = One License Per Child

Reported by the Inquirer, the OLPC project is throwing away its linux pedigree, opting for the impossibly corporate Microsoft Windows.

What, I wonder, is the rationale behind it. An open-source OLPC would have been magic, even more so in poor countries, or in countries with large barriers [...]]]> This comment summarizes it all:

OLPC = One License Per Child

Reported by the Inquirer, the OLPC project is throwing away its linux pedigree, opting for the impossibly corporate Microsoft Windows.

What, I wonder, is the rationale behind it. An open-source OLPC would have been magic, even more so in poor countries, or in countries with large barriers to technology.

By making it Windows the OLPC is effectively dead; it needs a bigger platform, licenses, updates and distributors, and introduces security risks in all these countries: having an open-source laptop? Cool. Having a closed-source PC? Backdoors come to mind.

Next: get your own Asus eee

Is this a broad generalization, or is this post by Atanu Dey actually on point?

The famous OLPC irks me because of the [...]]]>

I am confident that the One Laptop Per Child will have the effect which is the educational equivalent of the nutritional disaster that imported formula has had on the poor parts of the world.

Is this a broad generalization, or is this post by Atanu Dey actually on point?

The famous OLPC irks me because of the arbitrary definition of “poor parts of the world”, and it has a big shadow reminiscent of “white man’s burden” all over it.

At the same time, I see how communication and free access to networks can create more open, egalitarian discussion, and that in turn might be good.

But I am reading a lot on the OLPC because I am interested in getting those little shiny laptops here in NC:

• Huge income diaprity between classes? Check.
• Limited access to education? Check.
• Low life expectancy? Check.
• Human rights abuses? Check.
• economy in turmoil? Check

I think that the USA qualifies as well as any other country.

It doesn’t go to a “kid”, it goes to a school system, which will then have to pay to maintain it. They’re actually having trouble unloading the devices, from what I’ve heard. My dad immigrated from Africa, and I find that device obnoxious [...]]]> While interesting to suggest giving an OLPC, what is it that makes it insulting?

It doesn’t go to a “kid”, it goes to a school system, which will then have to pay to maintain it. They’re actually having trouble unloading the devices, from what I’ve heard.
My dad immigrated from Africa, and I find that device obnoxious and insulting. I’ll certainly never own one.

Although I am interested in OLPCs for some places in USA, since the whole thing “3rd world” doesn’t apply anymore.

What about getting these to children living in restrictive conditions in poor areas of the world, with little or no access to effective education? What about children living in areas with huge mortality index and decreased life expectancy?

That would bring a new intriguing and fascinating redefinition of 3rd world. As Friedman says, the world is flatter than we think.