One Laptop Per Child - Big News

[skins]

Not sure if anyone has ever heard of this organization, but they made a major announcement today. Here's the article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6908946.stm

Hardware suppliers have been given the green light to ramp-up production of all of the components needed to build millions of the low-cost machines...The first machines should be ready to put into the hands of children in developing countries in October 2007.
[...]
Since the idea was first put forward in 2002, the low-cost laptop has been both lauded and ridiculed. Intel chairman Craig Barret famously described it as a "$100 gadget" whilst Microsoft founder Bill Gates questioned its design, particularly the lack of hard drive and its "tiny screen".
[...]
And as time passed, even some of the critics have changed their stance. Earlier this month, Intel, which manufactures what was considered a rival machine, the Classmate PC, joined forces with OLPC.
[...]
The XO currently costs $176 (£90) although the eventual aim is to sell the machines to governments for $100 (£50).

a very interesting project. I'm giving a presentation this week (Technology and Society class at U of C) on the digital divide, so I had been researching this group for a little while. here's their website: http://laptop.org/

[Tron_fdc]

So what's the crank for? To wind the batteries????

[skins]

Originally Posted by fotze

Its a Christian Organization so it is there in hopes of keeping their right hand busy when they start surfing porn which will of course be three mouse clicks into recieving the laptop.

funny, but true.

I believe it was also mentioned on the Colbert Report this week. no link (blocked at work)

[skins]

ha! human nature I guess?

[skins]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

So what's the crank for? To wind the batteries????

sorry, that's actually a picture of the old design. but the idea is that you don't have to plug it in.

Governments that sign up for the scheme can purchase solar, foot-pump or pull-string powered chargers for the laptop.

[Bobblehead]

I thought this thread was going to be about the OLPC porn, since that has been all over the tech news lately.

OLPC Project has been watched for a long time by tech media.

[arsenal]

Originally Posted by fotze

Weird. I completely made that up, didn't even read the article.

Well, alot of people in developing countries do not have readily available electricity. The crank provides them with the provided electricity to run the laptop. My guess.. there are going to have alot of kids in undeveloped countries, with overdeveloped right arms.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by arsenal

My guess.. there are going to have alot of kids in undeveloped countries, with overdeveloped right arms.

As opposed to kids in developed countries with overdeveloped right arms....

Ah progress....