The one laptop per child debacle

[Bioture]

Is this the right thing to do? I want to support it but it looks like the laptops won't even have a basic windows interface or be able to do simple stuff like compile code. It does have internet though.

http://www.physorg.com/news113987183.html

[ConcreteSchlyrd]

Basic Windows interface? Ability to compile code?

I think you're missing the point.

These machines aren't meant to train the next generation of code-crunchers. They're meant as a means to access the internet and learn basic computer skills. Windows isn't an option, because the hardware necessary to make a decent Windows machine is far out of the cost and power-consumption constraints that they were trying to deal with.

More or less, it's a stripped down machine. Nearly a thin client, but that's all it's designed for. It's meant for grade schoolers, not as a college-prep machine.

[stark]

Damnit, conc, don't you understand? It would be more logical to have 3rd world children to learn how to code so we can outsource for cheaper coding labor like we do most everything else... Grade school? Child labor is just an added bonus.


No, but really, I think it's great to bring technology to those who don't really have the chance to experience it and learn from it. If it has the internet, and they had no prior chance of using the internet, it would open a window of opportunities that their school and classroom couldn't come close to comparing with what they currently had in-room, with text books or anything like that.

[Ewan]

I doubt the 3rd world kids care that they can't use Windows or compile code.

[Galleleo]

We need to invest in this, possible new continuum users!

[Bioture]

those things do have internet through those bunny ears... not sure what they're using to get to the internet, but it has internet! Which means porn.

[Kolar]

It uses a mobile ad-hoc network (mesh network) which means the machines connect to each other to form their own network and assuming one or more of them have a connection to the internet it provides that link to the whole network. I think this was the idea Sony was going with on the PSP but it never happened.

I think schools here could really use something like this. My Mom works with intellectually disabled children and many of them could definitely benefit from having their own laptop to write things out. Many of them lack the proper motor skills to write a simple sentence (we're talking about kids who are nearly 10). The problem is the school board keeps buying and taking refurbished P2 and P3s then buys some horrendously overpriced software pack which isn't supported by the hardware. They also barely do any regular maintenance beyond re-imaging (if ever) or security so they're full of mail-ware, viruses, games and other crap which makes the boot time alone 4-5 minutes.

Many of these problems are the teacher's fault because they're given the discretion on what software to buy. What they need is a technology support and advisory group or something to make sure school officials and teachers are using technology effectively.

[Edify]

Not long before someone screws with their network.

[Vykromond]

Wait, why the hell is it a debacle?

[Zerzera]

Wait, why the hell is it a debacle?

I think he works for Microsoft? I know they want to monopolize tech aid to the 3d world.

[geekbot]

Is this the right thing to do? I want to support it but it looks like the laptops won't even have a basic windows interface or be able to do simple stuff like compile code. It does have internet though.

This info is plain wrong. It does have a graphical interface and it has a keyboard button specifically for viewing and modifying the source code of any program. Unless by "basic windows interface" you mean basic Microsoft Windows(TM) interface. It's a graphical interface designed for OPLC (running on Linux).

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/te...&ex=1191643200

Programs are written in Python. If you want to learn a language, this is not a bad one to learn.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLPC_XO-1#Software