OLPC David Pogue NY Times

Video from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/tec...

• Category

  News & Politics

[Depro Nine]

badass.

[Christine Horn]

Yes, Tech snobs have to realize this is suppose to be an inexpensive learning tool. Don't be so quick to criticize. We have to start somewhere.

[mbenyumen]

This is already having an impact way beyond its original mission. And if kids don't like the software, they can write more. Not that they're all going to be prodigal programmers just by looking at source code, but with the mesh network, it will only take on kid. The genius behind it is when the designers realized that the kids will be the ones to decide how they want to use it, not the programmers.

[mbenyumen]

People commenting have no idea what the olpc is about. Think about giving kids the BMW equivalent of a laptop in a poor, war-torn country; it will get stolen. Give them a school bus, no one would both with it. It's only ugly to adults--kids will see it for what it can do, not the color or materials. And the project has generated so much new technology, like the screen in your kindle, that you all don't appreciate.

[Joshua Blackwells]

can you get on the internet like youtube

[studiojulio]

+ it's for kids. I would buy to read pdf's while on the road, since you can recharge it yourself with a winder.

[HyBrIdEnS]

at the end of the day it boils down to this. they can't afford enough real laptops to go around. But we do have a cheap laptop which every pupil can have and is not that bad given it is sub 200$ and is given out free.

[cartoonjerk]

The design in terms of function is definitely impressive, that I think I have already addressed in my previous posts. The actual surface surface design is what makes it not so desirable. You are ignorant to the prime in terms of political and social sense. By giving these "not so up to technology and 'look' standards" laptops, people can view it as a the western world thinking they don't deserve something real and better.  At least make it look professional and not like some kind of toy.

[Chris Chronopoulos]

i have used it in real life, many times. it's actually really awesome. i just think you're holding it to some really twisted standards; you're looking a gift horse in the mouth. the design is perfect for where it's needed. and i don't understand what you're hinting at about the psychological impact of the inequity between the OLPC and a "real laptop". that comparison isn't even appropriate.

[cartoonjerk]

I would like you to use that laptop in real life. I can buy a, well, normal laptop in real life with $400. You can't completely ignore the psychology impact of the African children when they see a real laptop either. Although the laptop's function is very impressive, design wise, it suck. It doesn't take a snarky biter to make that comment. I would at least make it decent.

[cartoonjerk]

Oops, I meant to say unrealistic.

[cartoonjerk]

I'm not being delusional, just realistic. I said that the intention should be good and he is definitely making an effort to help the 3rd world. It is indeed very impressive in terms of it's design. I don't think it's being really realistic though. The computer, although interesting, is inferior to the other computers in the USA. To sale that in mass for $400 dolar is, well kind of realistic.