One Laptop Per Child

[Firecat]

I was reading an article about how Michigan wants to give every student an MP3 player, and incorporate that in the classroom (There was an editorial about this in a detroit paper, haven't confirmed it yet). Anyway, that story led me to this One Laptop Per Child progam...also known as the $100 laptop.

http://www.laptop.org/

I found it pretty interesting, it seems to be aimed at developing nations. I actually think developed nations could really benefit from this. Thoughts? I don't know much about the technology behind it, but it looks pretty darned cute.

[cvrefugee]

Crank power! I read about this a long time ago, time for you to visit www.digg.com more often!

[Blind_Io]

It may be me, but I think that most areas in the world could use clean drinking water and food more than a laptop.

[cvrefugee]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

It may be me, but I think that most areas in the world could use clean drinking water and food more than a laptop.

But how will they ever download torrents of Top Gear without a laptop?

[Jacobfox]

hahaha. is there a linux bt client? There must be one.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by Jacobfox

hahaha. is there a linux bt client? There must be one.

You're kidding, right?

[nomix]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

It may be me, but I think that most areas in the world could use clean drinking water and food more than a laptop.

Education, education, education.

Poverty is also a very big challenge, and to get out of poverty, education is crucial.

Just go to any Indian school. They're all learning English, especially "Welcome to Apple tech support."

But joke appart, education is very, very important.

[jetsetter]

But joke appart, education is very, very important.

I would say that not dying is also very important.

[Blind_Io]

Originally Posted by cvg

But how will they ever download torrents of Top Gear without a laptop?

I would not want to crank a laptop for a couple hours while it downloads a torrent.

I understand that education is important and I'm not necessarily saying this is a bad idea, but when people are starving and need food, clean water and medicine how long do you think it will be before they trade that laptop for some livestock or sacks of grain? When you are worried about your next meal a laptop will just become a means to get it.

[bartboy9891]

Originally Posted by Firecat

I was reading an article about how Michigan wants to give every student an MP3 player, and incorporate that in the classroom (There was an editorial about this in a detroit paper, haven't confirmed it yet). Anyway, that story led me to this One Laptop Per Child progam...also known as the $100 laptop.

http://www.laptop.org/

I found it pretty interesting, it seems to be aimed at developing nations. I actually think developed nations could really benefit from this. Thoughts? I don't know much about the technology behind it, but it looks pretty darned cute.

I heard about this a little while ago, but I'm not sure how an MP3 player will help. One of my friends was telling me that he might get a free iPod if he went to Duke University; apparently it's so you can save and listen to lectures. Why you would need that ability in an elementary school is beyond me.

[Firecat]

There are developing countries where people have food and water, but just a very poor education system. I believe that is what they are aiming for rather than underdeveloped nations where people are starving to death.

[bone]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

I would not want to crank a laptop for a couple hours while it downloads a torrent.

I understand that education is important and I'm not necessarily saying this is a bad idea, but when people are starving and need food, clean water and medicine how long do you think it will be before they trade that laptop for some livestock or sacks of grain? When you are worried about your next meal a laptop will just become a means to get it.

yep, they should do like belgium did a few years ago

send milkPOWDER to ethiopia, to help them survive drought

[nomix]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

I understand that education is important and I'm not necessarily saying this is a bad idea, but when people are starving and need food, clean water and medicine how long do you think it will be before they trade that laptop for some livestock or sacks of grain? When you are worried about your next meal a laptop will just become a means to get it.

I absolutely agree, you need to cover the essential needs before anything else, but if you can provide education at the same time, that's good.

[AnGuRuSO]

I like the way the $100 laptop guy is thinking. These laptops probably will be used productively since the hardware is specifically designed for the software. Seems like a good idea.