What is Digg?104 Comments
- roxgod666, on 11/13/2008, -6/+29Those laptops will break before Microsoft stops supporting XP all together.
- fasda, on 11/13/2008, -13/+2810000 more poor children getting a cheap computer that doesn't run an open source OS is a step backwards? Wasn't the point of OLPC to get children in poor countries to use computers so they can have a chance to compete in the new world economey or is it just a massive campaign to advocate one view on software development? The only way this is a step backwards is if you care more about open source development then children.
- InfernoX, on 11/13/2008, -2/+16Microsoft probably gave them a huge discount on the OS anyway.
- bipolarruledout, on 11/13/2008, -6/+20Windows has CLEARLY destroyed computing.... I mean just think, if it wasn't for Windows there might be a computer in every home and business by now.
- sliksta, on 11/12/2008, -17/+30Talk about a step backwards.
- oMeSSiaHo, on 11/13/2008, -5/+17Microsoft bundles a browser with their OS= ZOMFG!! EVIL MONOPOLY!1
Linux distro comes with browser= OMFGASN EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS ALREADY INSTALLED!
You can complain about Microsoft's dominance but you cant deny that having a single platform that can run damn near everything has made our lives much easier. I know its not cool to not like the big evil company but Microsoft has done a lot in getting us to where we are now. - guildford, on 11/13/2008, -2/+14I think it's a good thing to educate the world on how to use computers...
- smotpoker, on 11/13/2008, -1/+12Because XOs cost 1/3, have better battery life, charge up on crank-power, waterproof and are way more durable. These are for third world kids in a ***** situation who need reliable education [tools] to help improve that situation.
- smotpoker, on 11/13/2008, -6/+16The problem is that they are getting locked in to an OS that will soon be unsupported, costs extra (less kids will get access with the same amount of money) and performs worse
- inactive, on 11/13/2008, -3/+12Now that you can get a fairly powerful netbook like an MSI Wind or EEEPC with Linux installed for roughly $300, why would one bother with OLPC?
- MacBookForMe, on 11/12/2008, -4/+13Feed me with positive info, mate...that was so kind to those children!
- fasda, on 11/13/2008, -2/+10yes children in developing countries are going to burn the only computers they ever had because it crashes a bit and security isn't very good
- TommyTikal, on 11/13/2008, -1/+9I don't know why you're getting dugg down.
That was gold. - tetsuo29, on 11/13/2008, -7/+15Lame. One of the most brilliant things about netbooks was that they were going to run Linux and not Windows. Microsoft was supposed to stop shipping XP and these machines can't handle Vista. Linux is better for everyone. XP is so damn prone to infection. Are these kids gonna get a good, free antivirus program? Anti spyware? Anti adware? It's bad enough that American consumers made the wrong choice by picking Microsoft but, to foist in on kids in poor countries- what a shame.
- bipolarruledout, on 11/13/2008, -2/+10Microsoft probably didn't charge them for the OS. Have you looked at their non-profit licensing fees?
- fasda, on 11/13/2008, -3/+10the plastic its made out of will decompose before Microsoft stops supporting XP
- tnoy, on 11/13/2008, -3/+10Support for XP ends 4/8/2014.
- djgreedo, on 11/13/2008, -3/+10XP? Nowhere near as good as Vista unless you're just talking about running on a low-spec machine. Where is the in-Windows metadata editing in XP? Where is the stability? Etc., etc.
- ulmedas, on 11/13/2008, -0/+7Have you messed with one of those things? They are sturdy bastards. They are build to last a while. That's sort of the whole point.
- JMellissa, on 11/13/2008, -3/+9I think Microsoft just succeeded in killing the project.
- carterx, on 11/12/2008, -11/+17So what happens when M$ stops supporting XP all together ?
- chillypacman, on 11/13/2008, -5/+11Yes, Microsoft has destroyed computing, what with all the money they've invested in developers from the early days of Visual Basic to modern times and their visual programming approach.
- LocalDocal, on 11/13/2008, -0/+6Not necessarily cold-hearted; just extremely ideological.
Really, I don't even see why this surprises you. FOSS has a very dedicated base who will go through all sorts of lengths in order to use FOSS software over proprietary and get others to do the same. I've seen many FOSS advocates whose only concerns is that it is FOSS. Everything else (usability, viability, etc) comes second. - LocalDocal, on 11/13/2008, -2/+8Because the OLPC is still cheaper. To wealthy westerners, the difference in price probably isn't all that large, but to impoverish nations, it can make a huge difference.
The difference is then made all that much larger by the fact that they're buying thousands at once. - ulmedas, on 11/13/2008, -3/+9Except Craig Mundie claimed at a talk several weeks ago, that they were including the windows licenses for something nominal (I think it was either $5 or $1)
- chillypacman, on 11/13/2008, -2/+7@SpeedSteamBoat
I forgot the part where children should not be given computers because they have Windows XP installed on them. The major problems we face with Windows are concaucted in the minds of deluded fanboys such as yourself, it's that simple really. Denying kids in third world countries the ability to use computers based on the sheer stupidity of people like Stallman is, as far as I'm concerned, utter evil.
Stallmans best argument for open source was, and I quote him directly:
"To exercise freedoms 1 and 3 requires programming, but you can take advantage of them indirectly without knowing anything about coding. If you want the program changed, you can give a copy to the programmer of your choice (exercising Freedom 2), the programmer can implement the changes you asked for (exercising Freedom 1), and give you the result (exercising Freedom 3); you will then pay the programmer as you agreed at the outset. This possibility is especially useful for companies, but individuals can take advantage of it too."
http://www.bostonreview.net/BR33.6/stallman.php
OK, so children in third world countries will pay programmers to make software as according to their custom specifications.
Hahaha, surprisingly only deluded Linux fanboys have actually opened up to this argument.
Like I said, youopen source fanboys are just cruel, extremely so, up until I read that article by Stallman my opinion of you fanboys was like that of any other fanboy, that you're a bunch of retards. then it turns out no, you're a bunch of heartless retards and that pushes you over the edge.
So I won't tolerate you sorry lot with your *****. - smotpoker, on 11/13/2008, -1/+6XP can barely run on these systems, let alone most Windows software on top of it. And how exactly do you expect them to pay for any of this software? And get support? They barely have inet (if at all) thanks to meshing IF MS ever manages to get it working properly (I haven't checked into whether they are even trying to implement it)
These things are designed for impoverished kids in countries that barely have inet or computers. Designed for them to LEARN, both general education and programming. Do you think MS will include a copy of MS visual studio too? Do you think these systems could even run it on top of XP? Will the same number of kids get access to one after they have to pay for the OS and extra software? - inactive, on 11/13/2008, -3/+7You can't "play games on Linux"? Tough ***** - buy a PS3
You can't "run MS Office on Linux"? If you must, you can (but it's still crap). Use OOo at no cost.
You can't "play Blu-ray on Linux"? You can if you want to, but who wants that DRM-ridden crap?
You can't "run Windows Media Centre on Linux"? Get a clue: WMC is just another way of controlling what you watch and listen to. It's more DRM-ridden crap and crashes every five minutes anyway.
You "can't buy whatever hardware or software you want"? If you buy non-Linux compatible hardware, you're stupid - it's unlikely to work with Windows either. You BUY software? What a fool!
Windows "closer to perfect than Linux"? If that's your idea of perfection, then there's no hope for you whatsoever! - CoreyTamas, on 11/13/2008, -0/+4Oh, I think I know why. :)
It's ok. I've been getting a lot of up-diggs lately. I decided to treat myself. :) - Seidoger, on 11/13/2008, -1/+5The OLPC original user interface was focused on the usage the machine had (learning) and was especially designed for it.
And what about all those technologies, Like 802.11s (wireless mesh networks) for the OLPC? Never seen that into XP.
That's just sad, I think. At least those student will be able to run 'known' software. - altjeringa, on 11/13/2008, -4/+8Bill Gates and Pablo Escabar sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first come cocaine then come terrorists, then comes windows in Negroponte's Carriage.
- inactive, on 11/13/2008, -4/+8Windows will corrupt their hard disks beyond repair.
- inactive, on 11/13/2008, -1/+5The WHOLE of the world uses Linux - the 'net is almost entirely Linux. Outside the backward USA, Linux usage is massive and growing. Windows usage declines with every new virus and worm...
- zeebo, on 11/13/2008, -0/+4Dumping their OS on developing markets in order to stop competition.
- SpeedSteamBoat, on 11/13/2008, -4/+8Cold hearted? These kids are going to be stepping into the same problem we have in the first world. We are stuck with a poorly designed, poorly secured operating simply because that's what people know. Now the problem is being spread to the third world. It's a damn shame.
- SpeedSteamBoat, on 11/13/2008, -2/+6"Windows on the OLPC gives the kids a range of software that would not run on Linux."
Like what? And how are they going to get this software onto that thing? I'll tell you right now it doesn't play games, and it won't run Photoshop. What "range of software" are you referring to that won't run on Linux, exactly?
I would argue that they could likely get more software that will run on that system easier with a Linux platform since Redhat could (and likely does) run tailored depositories that contain only compatible software that system can run. - ulmedas, on 11/13/2008, -1/+5Pablo Escabar? Did it suddenly become 1992 again?
- Aquashark, on 11/13/2008, -1/+4i use mostly Open Source software (Firefox, Open Office etc.), but WinXP is pretty darn solid and no amout of retarded outdated myths is gonna pinch its market share.
improve Linux first then start the propaganda machine. not the other way around.
the real world doesn't take kindly on the huge pile of dirt under the rug. - oMeSSiaHo, on 11/13/2008, -7/+10I cant believe you are being dugg down. If the children get an affordable laptop that works, whats the problem?
- bipolarruledout, on 11/13/2008, -2/+5Perhaps Linux will still be available?
- inactive, on 11/13/2008, -4/+7Why do kids need to be on the internet anyways? They have the rest of their life to sit in their basements and watch porn and pirate movies.
- zeebo, on 11/13/2008, -0/+3The XO was meant to teach children about computers, like when we learned about them on the Apple 2 by playing with simple programs, it would transfer well because the ideas it would be fostering are universal. Most importantly using linux on them would un-bind them from the upgrade cycle, they'd be able to continue using the same software for years with it still usefully serving its purpose. While after the major changes to Windows 7 a Windows XP based learning tool will be largely useless.
- Clark3934, on 11/13/2008, -3/+6At least MIT knows how to test them properly... with Linux.
- zeebo, on 11/13/2008, -0/+3The point of the machine was to teach children the fundamentals of computing. The linux version came pre-installed with all sorts of things that you might have gradeschool aged children play with. Too often computer education that involves windows concentrates on teaching people how to do a specific task inside of Microsoft Office.
- smotpoker, on 11/13/2008, -2/+4The one that functions best, is most educational, costs less, has tons of free software, has better networking support to spread wifi/provide internet, doesn't try force user's to upgrade OS/software/hardware and prevents vendors from doing the same.
- 8270369, on 11/13/2008, -0/+2OLPC completely ***** up. OLPC is a mess. OLPC could not have failed more if they tried. And a lot of people are blaming... Microsoft? Get real.
- Medicamusic, on 11/13/2008, -2/+4Well I know my way around XP a lot better than I know my way around Vista. I just think XP is easier to use.
- ulmedas, on 11/13/2008, -3/+5My guess is they will be in college at that point.
- newwatch51, on 11/13/2008, -0/+2Well seeing that Windows was still selling Windows 3.1 licenses until about a month ago, it will be a while
- Pnevma, on 11/13/2008, -3/+5It's nice that they're getting free computers... but it's a shame that they're learning on/about a heavily proprietary OS. I'm fine with Microsoft and all; but this was a scenario that Linux was perfect for. Anyways, take a look at this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Laptop_per_Child# ...
OLPC is already a failure in my mind. -
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