One laptop per child

[snafu]

I'm watching this on 60 minutes right now and was impressed. What a neat concept. To supply and send home a computer for every child in the world. That's astounding!

OLPC News: OLPNC Galadima School Headmaster Interview

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

[hugo]

It don't take much to impress you.

[phreakwars]

It's possible, but not probable. Corporate greed would interfere with the efforts and create lobbyist disguised as disgruntled families or something.

 

You can get a PC for a mere $200 on newegg: Newegg.com - EVEREX gPC TC2502 VIA C7-D 1.5GHz 512MB DDR2 80GB VIA UniChrome Pro Linux gOS - Retail

 

So why not a PC for every child?

.

.

[ImWithStupid]

One thing that's good about the OLEC laptops is that they are designed to withstand 3rd world conditions. The keyboard is covered with a membrane to keep liquids out and all the openings are covered to keep out dirt and dust. They also designed the screen to be viewable out in the sun. It is designed to be energy efficient and comes with a dynomo type charging system for kids in villages without electricity.

 

If my kids were a little younger I would probably have done the Give One Get One thing. That's the only way to get one in the US and only until the end of the year. You have to pay for two to get one.

 

As for the OLEC and corporate greed, the founder and the organization are getting nothing out of this, it's all charity, but they are already being sued for patent infringement because it uses a keyboard with four shift keys.

 

washingtonpost.com

[hugo]

It's possible, but not probable. Corporate greed would interfere with the efforts and create lobbyist disguised as disgruntled families or something.

 

You can get a PC for a mere $200 on newegg: Newegg.com - EVEREX gPC TC2502 VIA C7-D 1.5GHz 512MB DDR2 80GB VIA UniChrome Pro Linux gOS - Retail

 

So why not a PC for every child?

.

.

 

 

Do you know how many people make under $2 a day? I know---tax the rich. Greed has done more to help the human condition then a charitable spirit.

[snafu]

I think its a cool idea. Kids that can't get to school can study using one of these. It brings the family together and helps teach the parents as well. This fall under the old addage "Teach me to fish and feed me for life."

[hugo]

Adam Smith::

 

Every individual...generally, indeed, neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it. By preferring the support of domestic to that of foreign industry he intends only his own security; and by directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention.

The Wealth of Nations, Book IV Chapter II

 

 

The rich ... divide with the poor the produce of all their improvements. They are led by an invisible hand to make nearly the same distribution of the necessaries of life which would have been made, had the earth been divided into equal proportions among all its inhabitants.

The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Part IV Chapter 1

 

 

Man has almost constant occasion for the help of his brethren, and it is in vain for him to expect it from their benevolence only.

The Wealth of Nations, Book I Chapter 1

 

 

It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our necessities but of their advantages.

The Wealth of Nations, Book I Chapter II

[snafu]

Adam Smith::

 

Every individual...generally, indeed, neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it. By preferring the support of domestic to that of foreign industry he intends only his own security; and by directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention.

The Wealth of Nations, Book IV Chapter II

 

 

The rich ... divide with the poor the produce of all their improvements. They are led by an invisible hand to make nearly the same distribution of the necessaries of life which would have been made, had the earth been divided into equal proportions among all its inhabitants.

The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Part IV Chapter 1

 

 

Man has almost constant occasion for the help of his brethren, and it is in vain for him to expect it from their benevolence only.

The Wealth of Nations, Book I Chapter 1

 

 

It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our necessities but of their advantages.

The Wealth of Nations, Book I Chapter II

 

Your cup is always half empty isn't it?

[hugo]

Your cup is always half empty isn't it?

 

Actually, the government only takes about 40% of my cup.

[snafu]

Actually, the government only takes about 40% of my cup.

 

LMAO......

[Old Salt]

This has been in the works for quite a while. They were originally supposed to be $100 per unit. I was listening to an interview on CNN and some of the destination countries insisted that the company upgrade them in exchange for not having to do any upgrades for at least two years (or something like that). By the way, according to that same interview, they're internet ready and you get a year's free internet from T-Mobile (I think that's the provider).

[timesjoke]

Actually, the government only takes about 40% of my cup.

 

Lucky S.O.B.