What is Digg?77 Comments
- zeebo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+28Probably because it is designed for kids, and does have all kinds of educational software preloaded on to it.
Still I'll be sad if they took the handcrank off for the final version, that was by far one of the coolest features for making it a computer usable anywhere. - cr3ative, on 10/12/2007, -2/+28Proper link to larger image:
http://static.flickr.com/38/107402101_0d40392865_o.jpg - zeebo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19Why not? If its intended for children, how else are they going to learn about computers? We had apple 2s set up essentially as educational toys when I was in school. How is this really any different?
The cost of $100 isn't just so its more accessable to the third world, its also to make it more acceptabe to give something like this to a child. I can imagine school districts here in the US will jump at the chance to have a more static, less expensive platform to use to expose children to technology. - mrgreen4242, on 10/12/2007, -2/+17Despite the kiddy colors, I want one. Well, I want something LIKE this. The hand crank included. I want a 3 pound laptop with one of those 'dual mode' screens they talk about (full color, lower res mode, and a black and white, high res, low power consumption e-paper type mode). Touch screen, too, with a fold over tablet mode.
An XScale/ARM 500mhz CPU would be fine. 128mb RAM. 1gb of built in flash memory, with a CF card slot for expansion. Built in WiFi, runs on say half a dozen C NiMH batteries, can be charged from A/C or the above mentioned hand crank.
PDA functions, web browsing, email, chat, eBook reader, audio player... this would be worth more than $100. I'd pay $200 for one in a heartbeat... way I figure it I get one and then the other $100 would buy a kid in Africa one too. - smartalecks, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13its being designed specifically for children and schools in 3rd world countries. (NOT FOR MARKETS SUCH AS OURS). Instead of 1 iBook, they can get 7 of these, probably even less. Quit being insensitive *****.
its an amazing start you guys. its a start. - felchdonkey, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14What is the intended age of the kids that will use these? If it's over five, I'm worried.
The design seems very patronizing, to me. "Here you go, third world child. Here's a silly looking toy to remind you that you can't have a first-world computer."
The green design they were shopping was whimsical. This version is just insulting. - JayRod, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11If the hand crank gets removed from the final version then what's the use of this laptop in third world countries? I assume some of the poorer countries have electricity problems. Without the crank are they going to just plug it in some where and let it charge? Maybe the laptop will cost more than $100 with the hand crank installed.
Without the crank it makes sense for schools such as here in the U.S.A. But I would suggest the crank version in third world countries. It seems like the people behind this project are just trying to rush it now and couldn't do everything they wanted to do. Maybe they should just include the crank in a later version and release the non-crank version first and actually see how it adapts. That would also allow for the bugs of first generation devices to be worked out and actually give a better product to third world countries that actually need the use of the crank as a supplement in areas with spotty electricity. - futzy99, on 10/12/2007, -6/+15Yeah, it does look better, but it still looks like a kids' toy, like the kind that has all that icky educational software preloaded onto it.
- sphykik, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9i recently watched a video on the $100 laptop. In the video (filmed at the MIT technology conference) Nicholas Negroponte explains the laptop a bit more. The computers are intentionally painted with bright colors to discourage black/grey market trade. There is no way a guy can take a bright blue/green/orange laptop without anyone noticing him. Negroponte also explains in great detail the success that they have had providing laptops in poor countries. I suggest any sceptics watch the video, it is very informative.
http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/313/ - phlll, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10It'd be great to get one of these things. Just think, you don't have to worry about dropping it, because a) it must be sturdy as hell if it's designed for kids, and b) it cost $100 (or $200). Big deal if you break it.
- pavelich, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8i remember reading redhat was supposed to do a stripped down version of linux, if not that i am pretty sure some distro of linux
- frem001, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8it would be great to see people with computer programing skills (from ? thirdworld country) being hired to help write software for that specific region... and to teach other people the same. This could work out quite well considering that mobile phones have really taken off in africa even in dirt poor areas and computers are just another form of communication (as long as they have the internet... which might be a problem since copper wire is stolen all the time)
- Boondoggle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8I guess that instead of handing these out to children they're going to hand them out to governments who will then had them out to children. If that goes as well as the Oil for Food Program went, we'll be able to buy these on Ebay soon for $75.
- felchdonkey, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Thanks for that video link. I completely take back what I said about the design. Listening to Negroponte, I get it now.
I recommend everyone to watch the video and understand the history and purpose of this project better.
One thing I really noticed about Negroponte, he's such a convincing and engaging speaker. He reminds me of Steve Jobs onstage. You really understand that you're listening to someone who believes in his mission.
My favorite quote from the video -
"Invariably, everyone who makes software, the next release is worse than the previous one. Why is that true? Because people sit around the room and say 'lets add this feature, let's add that feature.'
"My god, you just try to load a PDF and you're sitting there with a 3ghz machine waiting and waiting. It's gotten so fat, so obese, so slow, and so unreliable.
"So we start over. We skinny it down, have a skinny open Linux, a skinny open source. It wipes out 75% of the cost of the machine and gives you a faster user experience." - Shrill, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7If it looks like a child's toy... well, that's kinda what it is... a laptop for every child. That is the purpose and name of the project. I'm not a child, but I think they would find them colourful and fun to look at and interact with. They look pretty sturdy too.
- n3tfury, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7i've been following this project since it first broke on the net and i am very excited about the thought of underprivileged children given such an opportunity. i think the best thing about this is that people GIVE a ***** about other country's children, especially those that aren't as well off as most of America's and other countries' are. education cannot be stressed enough, especially when you think of the potential they could have on this earth to better not only themselves, but this planet.
- fsjonsey, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6That thing dosen't look like it could live up to some of the conditions that it would be facing in underdeveloped countries. Who cares if it looks sleek. If it was up to me, the enclosure would be made from stamped sheetmetal with rubberized buttons and drive doors. Build the thing mil-spec, Cheap but able to take a beating.
- compuguy1088, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5It looks ok, but it seems like they are trying to point it to much younger children, around 5/6 and up. This is good for younger children, but what about the spectrum above that, there are plenty of youth above the elementary school level in 3rd world countries that could benefit to a version that looks more appropriate to that age level, as well as a version for younger children. Just a thought....
- phil.busch, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I think that it is a good idea to make the birght colors, to prevent black market trade. However, the older children are going to want something that doesn't look crazy and kiddy. Get rid of the designs, or put some sort of identifying mark to prevent black market trade of these laptops.
- thecoleorton, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6come on guys.....what is the INHERENT good of this laptop for 3rd world countries?! i would say...nothing. don't tell me that the government can't think of a better way to spend $100. here are some ideas: clean water, vaccines, shelter, food, etc... i'm not trying to disapprove of these ideas but come on...there has to be better uses of however millions of dollars that may be spent on these laptops.
- parrotscience, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Just the perfect accessory to go with all my "Hello Kitty" crap.
- LegendarySock, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4linux
- gdrewpowers, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Is there some list to get on to help test these? I live out in the middle of nowhere and I would make sure how well the hand crank is on them. It would go everywhere with me, and I would take it through extreme conditions. OK, maybe I should calm down... Anyway... Even with the color choices, I think these could still be a major target for small penis governments and UN jackasses to sell these to whomever. "These kids wont miss a crate of computers" mentality with so many of them, and I don't even want to start talking about the Oil-for-Bribes thing. So, to sum it up... Can we be sure they will arrive in the hands of the right people (or kids, in this case)?
- sardion2000, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Alot of you people are missing the point. Textbooks can be loaded on these computers, educational games, things of that nature. Giving someone an Educational computer doesn't necessarily mean that it's primarily to learn about using computers, programming, surfing, etc. How much do textbooks cost again? If memory serves me correctly, Grade School texts cost about 50-70 bucks each. High School Texts cost around 70 to 100 bucks each. Load em up with a bunch of localized textbooks appropriate for the target age group, then watch and see the results. You could put in schematics to for things that they could use too, like step-by-step instructions on how to build a teeter totter water pump, a whirly-go-round electricity generator, the anarchists cookbook to overthrow dictatorships. Good stuff like that :)
- FiZi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Now all they need to do is get free wireless going planet wide for free. Online Education is going to take off with this.
- n3r0, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1it's all about education. education is one (of course there are more) reasons for poverty.
- ZSX1, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Having had a read of the latest OLPC Community News, it looks like the hand crank is not a certainty.
http://laptop.media.mit.edu/laptopnews.nsf/2e76a5a80bc36cbf85256cd700545fa5/8f3d6b50c85ddb4885257121003bb50d?OpenDocument
The good news though, is that they are looking at alternative sources of self-generated power, including "a thin, "pancake"-style internal generator and some very imaginative non-crank solutions."
And yes, I would strongly suggest watching the video from MIT Media labs linked above. - omnivector, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3What OS IS this going to be running?
- mike_c, on 10/12/2007, -6/+6Not to be off topic, but the new comment system seems to be working nicely, especially on this story. I've never seen comments so clean and useful. After reading comments that were buried i relize why they were.
- Shrill, on 10/12/2007, -5/+5in a word... education.
- pavelich, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3That is definitely a step up from the early 90's rap video colors that had on that thing before. Its good that the green is gone, but it would be nice to just have a color that will be durable, not these pastel ones. They should have maybe a grey or something that will not look poor once scratched or dirty, because that will most likely be inevitable in those areas. I think functionality and durability is more important for these kids rather than appeal, its not like we have to sell these by making them attractive.
- miaow, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1just read everyones posts. i understand now
- JohntB, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2I think that that the handcrank might be the first thing to break on one of these, so they might have something external to power them. Solar cells, or a community generator would work. Also, a handcrank would be somewhat superfluous if the owners of these could get electricity. While many of these will be going to the poorest of people, I'm sure that many of the people that these will go to will be well-enough off that they will have electricity.
- Cerberus047, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2I think you misunderstand that this helps closen the technological gap between america and third world countrys. thats like saying oh we dont need to give this homeless man clothes we need to give him food and let him run around naked... shure it sounds good but its flawed logic, this will be good because now they have computer knoledge and can get a better job working and making money to feed their familys, plus this will hit BIG with poor college sudents, who knows maybe it might be bundled with a box of ramen noodles!
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2I think that a better product that would help children in poor third world countries, if the goal is to provide cheap digital reading material to children, would be SONY's NEW ELECTRONIC BOOK READER that only uses electricity when you turn the page.
Put a crank power handle on that thing, load it with a million books and send those off to them. Those children don't need peer to peer networking, they live in freaking communal villages where everyone knows everyone else by first name. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2i have to say ts good what they are trying to achieve but if they plan to give that to a 10 year old or a 12 year old they have no chance of been taking seriously. i think they need a universal color or just sliver or something not bubbles and kittens on it just a unisex laptop. and a hand crank to they expect the kids to plug it into a tree
- aximum, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0So ugly XD
Anybody knows about LongMeng's Laptop design, the 100€ laptop?
http://www.longmeng.org/ - Cmain, on 10/12/2007, -13/+12They need to make a black and silver plain one, it would look decent. I don't think any computer should be treated like a childrens toy though.
- miaow, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0must be blue for boys and yellow for girls. looks better, but still pretty ugly. even in the 3rd world I think the look will be important to the kids (after a while). In our world, the look of the hardware can be what makes one thing a winner over other models. I wonder how Apple would be doing without their hardware designer Jobbs promoted in the late 90s ?
- trogdoor, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4An education in computers? If they don't have reliable power I am guessing they don't have internet so would this be career preperation for computer skills or could it also be applied to math, science, history, and other such subjects? If so then how?
- n3tfury, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2i completely agree. the entire new layout is a HUGE step in the right direction.
- trogdoor, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2The left one looks somehow Ubuntu-ish.
- mrops, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3time to get 20 of these and make a beowolf cluster :D
- n3r0, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1i read somewhere that they can create their own p2p network and share an Internet connection.
- trogdoor, on 10/12/2007, -7/+6What uses would people in third world countries have for computers? Not trying to be cynical, I am honestly asking.
- nars, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1can people that dont live in 3rd world countries buy them? id buy one for double, even triple...
- Boondoggle, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3Cool, you must be the "style" guy who speaks for all 3rd world children. Thanks for all your help.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1starting to look queer...... used to look much better
- Markrosoft, on 10/12/2007, -10/+8My little sister has one of these, and it was only $50
http://www.mailorderexpress.com/shop/prdpics_large/114313_L.jpg - gnalakalaciath5, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3sure, it looks a bit better, but it still needs work.
they should just make it black or silver, sure, add some bubbles, anything that's not so bright and colorful. -
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