Slashdot Log In
$100 Laptop Takes Flight in Thailand
Posted by
CmdrTaco
on Thu Aug 17, 2006 02:22 PM
from the all-about-the-benjamin dept.
from the all-about-the-benjamin dept.
EmperorKagato writes "Nicholas Negroponte's project for every child to have a laptop will come true for over 500 students in Thailand. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra expects each child to receive a laptop instead of books as the books will be provided electronically.
The laptop, mentioned previously on Slashdot, will now be brought to children in Thailand in October and November, with hopes for future shipments to Nigeria, Brazil and Argentina in 2007."
This story selected and edited by LinuxWorld editor for the day Saied Pinto.
Related Stories
[+]
Hardware: Working Model of MIT $100 Laptop a Hit 440 comments
capt turnpike writes "The One Laptop per Child association and its chairman, MIT Media Labs's Nicholas Negroponte, unvelied a working model of their $100 laptop at the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange (MITX) show, and the little laptop that might was a hit. It's got a version of Fedora Linux, is rugged, and each unit will work as part of a wireless mesh automatically. From the article: "However, as Negroponte put it in his address, One Laptop per Child isn't all about the laptops. The main goal is to tap into the ability of every child to toss away a manual and figure out how to make gadgets work on their own, thus helping children help themselves to learn." eWEEK.com also has photos."
[+]
Linux: Proprietary Parts in OLPC Project Draw Criticism 247 comments
An anonymous reader writes "The Jem Report is running a story about the recent controversy surrounding the hardware used in OLPC laptops. Some devices require NDA's to write drivers, and some parts require firmware that cannot be freely redistributed. Richard Stallmann and Theo de Raadt oppose the use of such devices. Jim Getty defends OLPC's choice (de Raadts response). Jem Matzan has interviewed all sides and published the answers."
[+]
First of the OLPCs Built 145 comments
eldavojohn writes "An announcement came Sunday that the first ten prototypes of the Linux-powered OLPC XO-1 had been completed in China. From the article, 'Quanta, the Chinese computer maker that won the international bidding for the project earlier this year, will assemble 900 OLPC machines that will be used for destructive testing and distribution to our development partners.' Let's hope that these first prototypes do not warrant any design changes and that the testing goes well so that countries that expressed interest (Brazil, Libya, Nigeria, Argentina, and Thailand) can start distributing them soon."
[+]
Hardware: Thailand Government Cancels OLPC Participation 196 comments
patiwat writes "Thailand's new junta-appointed Education Minister has cancelled Thailand's participation in the One Laptop Per Child project and scrapped a plan to give a 2B1 laptop to every primary school student. He has also cancelled plans to roll out computers and a broadband connection to every single school in Thailand. The cancellation of half a million scholarships for needy students is being studied. He cited the lack of readiness of teachers and the need to focus on basic education standards. 'We will not focus too much on technology and materials. We will focus on substance,' he said. This comes on the heels of the cancellation of the Thai government's open source policy."
This discussion has been archived.
No new comments can be posted.
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
Full
Abbreviated
Hidden
Loading... please wait.
Only 500 (Score:5, Funny)
If not "a laptop for every child" is a bit short
It's a trial run. (Score:5, Informative)
It's a trial run - from tfa:
Parent
Re:It's a trial run. (Score:4, Funny)
It's a trial run - from tfa:
Thanks for clearing that up. We all seriously thought that there might be only 500 children in Thailand. The GPP did not pretend to misunderstand this point purely for comic effect.
Parent
where can I order mine? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:where can I order mine? (Score:5, Informative)
Parent
Re:where can I order mine? (Score:4, Insightful)
When this project is brought up (and it had its share of
By keeping to mention the 300-dollar deal, I think it's easy for the editors to keep people aware of this possibility, and do their little contribution to which is, imo, a very good start in helping the third world countries partially keep up with the rest of the world.
Parent
Re:where can I order mine? (Score:5, Informative)
Parent
Re:where can I order mine? (Score:5, Interesting)
Subsidizing the hell out of something and send it to the Third World is a good way to guarantee that it'll end up being sold right back to the First World, if there's any kind of demand.
Parent
Anxious to see them in action (Score:5, Insightful)
I am anxious to see these laptops in action. I have heard a lot of criticism that rather than laptops, the poor children of the world need clean water and nutritious food first. This is, of course, true. But such criticism supposes that all the poor are living in mud and filth. Not true - some have their basic needs somewhat met, and perhaps education is next on the list of needs.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Anxious to see them in action (Score:5, Insightful)
Furthermore, the facilities and workers for producing such laptops are in place, and they themselves cannot benefit 3rd world children in terms of food and water and health care. But can they contribute? Yes, they can, and that $100 going in exchange for the production of those laptops is not equivalent to $100 dollars worth of food! If things are balanced right, the value of the machines will be right and will not outweigh money spent on other items such as food.
Food and water are essential, but it's unfair to say that the laptops would not be beneficial just as well. More pressing needs may exist, but every little thing helpful counts.
Parent
Re:Anxious to see them in action (Score:4, Insightful)
The problem lies basically at bringing the information to them, and a laptop like this would create a path for the information to flow (it could even be preloaded with classes' material) and teaching means as well (it could have educational and interactive software).
I think that basic needs MUST be addressed first, but if you want these people to progress in the society, the only way to achieve this is through education.
Parent
Laptops instead of books (Score:4, Insightful)
While good to get some tech in these kids hands, I can't help wondering about permanence. Without the printed page, past facts are easily changed to suit current attitudes. I know this isn't quite the case yet. But as we go farther down the road with ebooks, it will be a concern.
Who are we at war with today?
Re:Laptops instead of books (Score:5, Insightful)
I think this is a non-issue here.
Parent
Taking flight? (Score:5, Funny)
And yet, here in the US... (Score:4, Insightful)
Sounds like a good idea, but questions remain (Score:5, Interesting)
I see some problems, however.
The minimum wage in Thailand is just below $100 per month. That's right, $100.
What if the notebook computer gets damaged through fault of the kid?
What if the notebook computer gets damaged through no fault of the kid?
What if the notebook computer gets stolen?
What if the notebook computer gets sold by the kid / his [drug-addicted] [financially distressed] parent?
A family with one minimum wage earner could be pushed into financial ruin by any of these events.
the only problem is... (Score:4, Interesting)
Books are *great*. Reading off of a computer screen is *terrible*.
After work conversation... (Score:4, Funny)
"Um, no, but we do have this ghetto laptop."
"Can you eat it?"
"No."
"That's great. Maybe we can look at pictures of food then."
Printing?? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Ebooks for the poor (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Re:Ebooks for the poor (Score:4, Funny)
At least they could put a crank on each side so the kids can look like Popeye!
Parent
Re:Ebooks for the poor (Score:5, Informative)
The books are NOT DRM'd. The entire system is strictly freely-licensed.
It doesn't have a hand crank anymore.
So, in other words, STFU because you're either ignorant or trolling.
Parent
Re:Warranty coverage? (Score:4, Funny)
It's all the rage. Jon-Benet's killer was apparently doing it there, too.
Parent
Re:Untested tech = snakeoil (Score:5, Insightful)
Parent