[Robotgroup] OLPC manufacturer to sell $200 laptop in developed countries

[Def Egge]

For what little it might be worth, Shane, what I do at work is to 
attempt to teach the next generation of leaders (and drones) to lead, 
to follow, or get out of the way.

Most of my class load deals with leading non-science majors[1] toward 
some knowledge of the fundamentals of science, scientific literacy, 
and helping to impart the learning skills necessary to keep up with 
the changes in our knowledge base[2].

Much of the rest of my teaching load deals with ecological and 
environmental problems, their sources, and some solutions[3] (with an 
eye toward sustainability over the longer term).

Don't take this personally but, if I thought for a moment that 
another line of endeavor was far more important than my own and I had 
the requisite skills to contribute, I would change fields.  If there 
was no source of income in that other career path, I might have to 
content myself with supporting that effort with cash or programming / 
development / design services on a pro bono basis.

There is nothing wrong with a business model based on turning a 
buck.  "Buy one of these cool and inexpensive laptops and for every 
one that is purchased at $200, we will be able to provide one through 
the OLPC initiative."

I agree that, if the interface is intuitive enough, the youngsters 
can learn and teach each other on their own to use the 
computer.  Learning, in light of all published research, is enhanced 
by proper nutrition.

Where is the knowledge content?  Will CDs / DVDs in appropriate 
language be distributed with each lot of laptops destined for a 
particular nation?  Photos portray fold-up antennae as part of the 
case.  To what will they connect (besides, possibly, each other)?

Nifty green toys?  Certainly computer technology for any purpose is 
nifty but green?  No electronic technology is green as long as heavy 
metals are involved.  Greener, perhaps, as a recyling standards are 
established and implemented.  To whom does the responsibility for 
recycling these units belong?  At the least, what is to become of the 
NiMH battery packs (until the LiFePO4 units come along)?

The importance of the OLPC initiative does not escape me.  I may even 
choose to support it at some point.  I wonder ... have the Bill and 
Melinda Gates Foundation, Apple, Inc., or Michael Dell pledged to support this?


[1] most with very poor science backgrounds or, worse yet, severely 
bad experiences in elementary and high school science courses

[2] I have seen well-documented estimates that it is far from 
uncommon to see advances in scientific knowledge with half-lives of 
less than 5 years.

[3] "There are no easy answers, only intelligent questions." 
[Caterpillar, Inc.]


All the best....

Mike

At 20:54  2007/04/01, you wrote:
>I actually had my hands on some of these laptops at PyCon 2007 in 
>Dallas.  The first keynote speaker, Ivan Kristic (sp), was EXTREMELY 
>impressive.  The fact that almost all of the software on the system 
>will be written in Python was very impressive.  (Filesystem and 
>windowing interface re written in Python.)  There is also a "View 
>Source" key on the keyboard for viewing the Python source.  Everyone 
>was very impressed.
>Yes, Mr. Krisitc said they will be selling these.  He also made it 
>clear that they will be giving away a lot of these to developers who 
>look as if they could help out with writing software.
>
>Join the #olpc channel on irc.freenode.net if you have questions.
>
>Yes, this is a grand-slam swing that may not connect.  It's effects 
>won't be seen immediately but perhaps in our lifetimes.  It is a 
>long-shot, but I am glad some people are doing this rather than 
>doing something to turn a buck.
>You should probably read this to get an idea of the importance of 
>the project:  http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/node/2088  Mr. 
>Kristic's talk was amazing.  Really.  It's too bad it isn't online.
>Note:  This project is about enabling youngsters to learn from each 
>other and learn by doing.  It has been shown that children don't 
>need to be taught to use a computer--that they can figure it out on 
>their own.
>It is a sad fact that in many places these laptops will land, very 
>few adults will be around to teach the children, as they have been 
>wiped out by AIDS.
>About the comment on hunger:  It is my understanding that world 
>hunger is not a technology or food problem--it is a political 
>one.  Repressive, brutal governments the problem.  As much as I 
>would like to "solve the world hunger problem" before giving nifty 
>green toys to children, I'm not sure things can work out that 
>way.  While the OLPC project may not present these laptops as tools 
>to democratize power, that's what they can do.  The laptops are 
>presented as an educational tool for children--something that on the 
>surface is non-threatening to the status quo.  This project, 
>however, may contribute to the changing of history.
>I don't know what you do at your job each day, but I have been 
>thinking what they do at OLPC is probably a heck of a lot more 
>important than what I do.
>
>
>
>Def Egge wrote:
>>Interesting, if true.  Previous inquiries regarding sale of these 
>>cheap laptops in developed countries were rejected outright ... at any price.
>>
>>Perhaps, reality caught up with idealism and the sale of a more 
>>expensive version to those that can afford it will (inadvertently?) 
>>fund distribution in the developing world.
>>
>>By damn!  You may not have enough to eat but you will be able to 
>>blog / email / spam about it.  By the way, who is funding the 
>>ISP(s) through which the underprivileged children of the world will 
>>connect to all of the information on the WWW?
>>
>>Another jaundiced view through the squinting eyes of a 
>>cynic.  Discount it as necessary.  Post your views to this list, 
>>i.e., do not respond privately to this address.
>>
>>
>>All the best....
>>
>>Mike
>>

[trimmed for brevity]