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« Mobile Telemedicine Unit | Main | Some movement on OLPC »

Comments

Julia

I was going to get one $ 100 computer for my child and a next one - for me - I think I'll do that there in cheap laptops shop at http://www.portableuniverse.co.uk
problems are as small as a price )

Andrés Núñez Leites

Hello all. I'm a sociologist and school teacher from Uruguay, and I have to agree with your diagnostics. Here, the OLPC plan was implemented, and from the pedagogical point of view, it is a failure. Children without maths and language text books have now got laptops most of the times without internet. When they have, connection is too slow to work properly in class-time. Wireless signal it is not strong enough, so they can't connect from home. Mesh networks only allow 6 ó 7 simultaneous connections; internet access only 60. Besides, this false-constructivist aproach has deepened the confusion between proliferation of superficial information and real knowledge (which means theorethical-logical connections and hierarchies). This is a bad bussiness for children and poor families, but a very good one for OLPC and local government propaganda. Not to talk about the possible violation of GNU copylefts as the final user can't administrate the sistem. A shame. Greetings

jptheo

With all the advancements in mobile technology.. What if each child had a smartphone or a netbook? Current subscribers could be asked for donations monthly to accomplish this idea.

jptheo

danial

good blog

Hossrex

This is all shortsighted nonsense, saying we should put the cart ahead of the horse.

You repeatedly complain about the laptops "finding their way" into unintended hands, yet licenses that required the computer to connect to its home network (i.e. the school from which it was given) have been part of the equation from the beginning.

(LF comments - Unfortunately, every technical security measure has a countermeasure, so I do not agree that the issue has been definitively answered. Also, I disagree that I have "repeatedly complain[ed]" about this as if it were my fundamental argument.)

You repeatedly make reference to there being no infrastructure for wireless internet. Why would there be? There aren't any computers. Do you understand basic macro-economics? It'd be foolish to build wireless internet transmitters before anyone has a computer. If you deny them computers because there is no internet, no one will ever build the transmitters. You need to get the computers out there, PUT THE DEMAND OUT THERE, and the supply will follow.

(LF comments - The demand would have to have an economic basis - there would have to be money on the table - and the time required to build out the infrastructure would mean that several years [at least] would elapse before the demand were met if it happened at all. How well do you understand economics?)

You're making the mistake of assuming the ENTIRE ENDEAVOR is socialistic. The principles of it are socialist, but Negroponte understands we don't live in a perfect world, so he's put together an idea that philanthropically helps people, while still considering the hedonistic world.

(LF comments - I have no problem with the supposedly socialistic aspect of this or other programs. I do have a problem with the authoritarian aspect - every kid required to have a laptop [or else what?] - and the opportunities and incentives for evasion and corruption that ensue.)

In closing... consider this...

Would there be a city in America with blanket internet access, if people didn't ALREADY have computers? Why not? Because without the computers, there's no reason to do it.

(LF comments - Please name a city in America with blanket internet access. If you mean wireless, the answer is none. Some have made starting moves, but none have been completed because the economics aren't there. Google is funding the effort in Mountain View, CA. Your argument that infrastructure will arise simply because of the presence of laptops cannot be supported.)

Your entire point is predicated on a very basic fallacy, and by fixing nothing more than the basic logical failing you've made, this project looks much more encouraging.

Your entire point is EXACTLY the same as saying "since the kids can't read, why should we give them books?" Well... if we don't give them books, how can they learn to read?

(LF comments - The question you pose would make sense only if the intended end result of OLPC were kids learning the use of computers. However, this was never the case - Negroponte claimed that having the laptops would cause the kids to "learn learning" and rush ahead of the educational system on their own. No support has been demonstrated for this proposition, though certainly kids are happy to have a shiny new toy that takes pictures and plays music. My point has been that the hard work of courseware and curriculum development was ignored by OLPC's approach and the lack of it would prevent success, along with lack of support from families.)

Stop looking at the world through your upper middle class goggles.

(LF comments - And through what goggles do you view the world?)

Tracy Roy

This idea seemed to be of advantage for many individuals and if this will be implemented, the advent of technology will sure to skyrocket more and more. They just need to make sure they're going to provide not just cheap laptops.

http://computer-trend.com

Gareth Parfitt

Great site, very helpful

Mike

One Laptop Per Child project is really a very nobel idea. Nice post covering all aspects related to the project.

Wishing Goodluck to this project!

As a computer dealer, can I be of any help to the project? Readers can mail me there suggestions @ acinc.michigan@gmail.com.

Regards,
Mike
http://www.acinc.com/

William Webb

It's a good idea however, we should all try to recycle more. I'm sure equipment already in circulation could be put to better use.

If you are in the UK you can find sources to buy laptops for under £100 which you can use for most basic word processsing and web browsing needs.

ww verzekering

It is quit interesting debate concerning usefulness of One Laptop Per Child project. Thanks

Nico Sap

Thanks for this interesting read...
I thought a knew a lot about olpc, but appearently, not everything!

Denver PC Guy

Very interesting. I had seen all the billboards and such. I felt that there must have been issues that I didn't see, this article pointed them out. I spend time in third world countries, and can see that there are issues.

Thanks for the article

Michael

Netbook vs OLPC. I think we have to say "bye-bye" to OLPC.

Increase Penis Size

This comment only for the blog owner i just want to thanks this guy. becoz of i get lots of information form it.


docsharp01

I was thinking about the small computer, the EEEPC, as the frontier of the computing industry. It might surpass the $100 laptop computer, but only time will tell.
http://www.pc-satellite-tv-reviews.com
http://www.ipod-repair-guide.com
http://www.high-speed-internet-access.net

Cheap Computer Memory

Very interesting read. Thank you.

OLPC cannot survive due to the tough competition from intel. Also with the release of the ASUS EEPC and the HP Mininote, no one would want to buy the uglier and bulkier OLPC machines when the other two are much prettier and almost of the same size.

Online Gambling

I enjoy readin your posts. I don't see a problem with the $100 laptop, even if the recipients sell it to put food on the table. Their are some very poor people in this world that need whatever help that they can get. Some would much rather have $100 worth of rice or food than a laptop.

Online Shopping Deals

Interesting article... let's see how long the project lasts.

Kurt W. G. Matthies

Thank you Lee. Though well intentioned, OLPC seems a little foolish in many settings.

Just how are we, as professionals in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and the other intellectual disciplines relative to our field, qualified to select appropriate tools for developing cultures?

Poor Richard comes to mind with this solution to the worlds' problems. "When all you have is a Silicon Valley perspective, every solution looks like a computer."

I suspect that a good portion of these computers will be traded for daily necessities.

If we truly want to help the people of under developed countries, there are actions that would be more immediately beneficial. For instance, let's get the World Bank and IMF to work and relief debt in developing countries. Instead of computers, let's get fresh, clean drinking to each village--why, even to each household! It's been done before, you know. To help the hungry, let's create international coalitions against the greedy practice of "seed patents" which attempt to claim patents on the work of millions of years of evolution, and prohibit the small farmer from saving seeds for next years' planting. Without these seeds, many will starve.

Progress in these three areas will bring tangible progress in the effort to improve the daily quality of life of these people.

Think small -- relief from economic slavery, clean drinking water, and food in the barn.

That Stefan Kid

"In developing societies children are perceived to have a place in helping the family advance..."

yes they are perceived to be like this. yet how can we know, unless we have actually witnessed this/lived among them. Do you have any experience with their society and culture? (Not an accusation there, just an honest question)
And would a parent not be proud/happy for their child to exceed? their living conditions not necessarily being the best, I'm sure they would love to see their child be able to excel and be given a better opportunity. This laptop may provide that. (I stress 'may')

Still, a very well thought out argument. :)

PBX Phone System

Excellent comments and article about the problems with the $100 laptop. As far as infrastructure from phone companies, a PBX Phone System should be used because it offers cost savings on internal phone calls.
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com/Phone-Systems.ht

tony

YOUR STUFF Sucks

(OK, that's a start, now could you tell us why it sucks? I've never had any response from OLPC, and this might be it, so I'm very interested to see your arguments - LF)

Cheap laptops

I have been thinking about upgrading my computer the last few weeks but there is so much choice that it is hard to tell if youre making the right descission. Its nice to be able to search around the internet myself for the informaiton I need rather than being force fed by a salesman!

(Good luck, gedgec! But I doubt that this site can be of much help to you - Lee)

Steve

Well, looks like you were right. We now have two OLPC XO models at our school and they are a mess.

Children everywhere need to learn to read and write the language of their culture. There is nothing on the XO that helps with that.

The browser doesn't work well and the word processor doesn't either. And these are the only two programs out of over a dozen that ship with the XO that might help with literacy education.

Why in the world would you include a terminal app Python programming language interpreter and ADSR envelope tone module apps with a child's laptop, for example?

There won't be studies of the XO's effectiveness in learning sponsored by the OLPC, unless they are willing to admit... This thing is DOA!

Bill Clawson

Does anybody have an opinion on the Solo computer concept from explan in the UK? Its market driven to build low cost, low power consumption, solar PC's in the target countries.

http://www.explan.co.uk/solo/index.shtml

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About Lee Felsenstein

  • Based in Silicon Valley, Lee currently does electronic product development, due diligence, expert witness assistance as well as speaking engagements and participation in conferences such as the O'Reilly Emerging Technology conferences. The most unusual places he has spoken were at the Waag in Amsterdam and a squat in Milan, Italy. He was named the 2007 "Editor's Choice" in the Awards for Creative Excellance made by EE Times magazine. He holds 12 patents to date.

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