Comments on: The $100 laptop moves closer to reality

MIT's Nicholas Negroponte lays out a design for a low-cost PC with a twist: Windup power and an innovative display.

[Captain_Spock]

Even So!

What guarantees are there that corrupt governments and individuals in some of these under-developed and developing countries would not exploit the poorer classes in their countries. Then again, why not place these responsibilities in the hands of the "United Nations" (even the oil producing and exporting countries such as Nigeria and others) since I believe they have the resources to adequately implement such programs; as if we have forgotten the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on our own doorsteps already. Why not put your own house in order first! As the saying goes... self preservation is the first rule of nature.

[Captain_Spock]

Even So!

What guarantees are there that corrupt governments and individuals in some of these under-developed and developing countries would not exploit the poorer classes in their countries. Then again, why not place these responsibilities in the hands of the "United Nations" (even the oil producing and exporting countries such as Nigeria and others) since I believe they have the resources to adequately implement such programs; as if we have forgotten the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on our own doorsteps already. Why not put your own house in order first! As the saying goes... self preservation is the first rule of nature.

[gibsonelliot]

Poor nations children need a school and a teacher first!

The concept of making a $100.00 Laptop is a nice idea, but there is a flaw in the logic. What good are laptops for children who have no school or teacher? What good is school if these children don't have food, clean water, clothing and shelter! This is another prime example of the priveleged (MIT student) with unrealistic perspectives. Hey, if ther're hungry, how about we "let them eat cake" while we're at it! Moron!

Seriously...

How about $100 water filtration systems MIT? Poor nations do not need laptops and WiMax, they need the necessities: food, water, shelter. I can see them now..."Im hungry and these flies won't leave me alone but look I have new e-mail." I do not think these people have the correct perspective on the state of the impoverished. I think they just said they were going to use it for third world nations in an effort to sound humanitarian and facilitate the acquisition of funding.

On another note...I wouldnt mind purchasing one of these. :)

Here is the point

The point of producing this lap top is that it eliminates the ABSOLUTE necessity of a teacher. By providing access to the internet we are in turn providing the oppurtunity for education where there wasn't one allready. Instead of not having the oppurtunity to learn we are putting the choice of education in each families' home. While every one may not use this to the full capabilities it presents, think of all those that may. Than try to argue your view point.

[Lynn_S]

Speaking of flawed logic...

>>What good are laptops for children who have no school or teacher? What good is school if these children don't have food, clean water, clothing and shelter! This is another prime example of the priveleged (MIT student) with unrealistic perspectives.<<

The flaw in your logic is that these machines aren't targeted at the people that they won't help. They aren't destined for those who don't have food and water. They are targeted at developing countries. Other projects target poverty and hunger, this one targets education. This is what you offer people once they have food and water and are healthy enough to sit up and take mental nourishment.

What does it mean that you don't understand this? Been eating too much cake? Claim the twinkie defense. It worked for Dan White...

[gibsonelliot]

Poor nations children need a school and a teacher first!

The concept of making a $100.00 Laptop is a nice idea, but there is a flaw in the logic. What good are laptops for children who have no school or teacher? What good is school if these children don't have food, clean water, clothing and shelter! This is another prime example of the priveleged (MIT student) with unrealistic perspectives. Hey, if ther're hungry, how about we "let them eat cake" while we're at it! Moron!

Seriously...

How about $100 water filtration systems MIT? Poor nations do not need laptops and WiMax, they need the necessities: food, water, shelter. I can see them now..."Im hungry and these flies won't leave me alone but look I have new e-mail." I do not think these people have the correct perspective on the state of the impoverished. I think they just said they were going to use it for third world nations in an effort to sound humanitarian and facilitate the acquisition of funding.

On another note...I wouldnt mind purchasing one of these. :)

Here is the point

The point of producing this lap top is that it eliminates the ABSOLUTE necessity of a teacher. By providing access to the internet we are in turn providing the oppurtunity for education where there wasn't one allready. Instead of not having the oppurtunity to learn we are putting the choice of education in each families' home. While every one may not use this to the full capabilities it presents, think of all those that may. Than try to argue your view point.

[Lynn_S]

Speaking of flawed logic...

>>What good are laptops for children who have no school or teacher? What good is school if these children don't have food, clean water, clothing and shelter! This is another prime example of the priveleged (MIT student) with unrealistic perspectives.<<

The flaw in your logic is that these machines aren't targeted at the people that they won't help. They aren't destined for those who don't have food and water. They are targeted at developing countries. Other projects target poverty and hunger, this one targets education. This is what you offer people once they have food and water and are healthy enough to sit up and take mental nourishment.

What does it mean that you don't understand this? Been eating too much cake? Claim the twinkie defense. It worked for Dan White...

[J_Satch]

Hilarious

this is hilarious! we've gone from mit labs to the 3rd world to american inner cities to the linux gospel revival tent to the microsoft satanopoly to the latin american drug trade and it's "gringo" customers and i'm not even halfway through the comments yet! LMAO!!!

[Captain_Spock]

Talking about being hilarious!

What about the countries such as Iran, Iraq (one of the largest oil producing countries in the world), North Korea who have developed or were on the verge of developing weapons of mass destruction... to "nuke" who! (If they destroy food production in other people's countries... how will they survive) when they are not producing enough food to feed themselves. What if they were to change their ways of policies and donate a part of those savings to help feed, clothe and house the less fortunate countries; also, some of these savings can go towards helping to pay for the $95. computer and the American military savings (from having to police the world) can go towards building schools and hospitals for the needy in these developing and under-developed countries in Africa and elsewhere.

[Lynn_S]

Got to giggle...

I found it interesting that the first response was how this bit of technology wasn't addressing world hunger and the lack of potable water.

That guy obviously need to read C|Net a many more hours each day and get others to do so too so that food and water will be distributed more equitably to the disadvantaged. Reading and critiquing tech news on the Internet will save the downtrodden if we can just get everyone to do it. Except for the people that would be getting thses laptops that is...

[J_Satch]

Hilarious

this is hilarious! we've gone from mit labs to the 3rd world to american inner cities to the linux gospel revival tent to the microsoft satanopoly to the latin american drug trade and it's "gringo" customers and i'm not even halfway through the comments yet! LMAO!!!

[Captain_Spock]

Talking about being hilarious!

What about the countries such as Iran, Iraq (one of the largest oil producing countries in the world), North Korea who have developed or were on the verge of developing weapons of mass destruction... to "nuke" who! (If they destroy food production in other people's countries... how will they survive) when they are not producing enough food to feed themselves. What if they were to change their ways of policies and donate a part of those savings to help feed, clothe and house the less fortunate countries; also, some of these savings can go towards helping to pay for the $95. computer and the American military savings (from having to police the world) can go towards building schools and hospitals for the needy in these developing and under-developed countries in Africa and elsewhere.

[Lynn_S]

Got to giggle...

I found it interesting that the first response was how this bit of technology wasn't addressing world hunger and the lack of potable water.

That guy obviously need to read C|Net a many more hours each day and get others to do so too so that food and water will be distributed more equitably to the disadvantaged. Reading and critiquing tech news on the Internet will save the downtrodden if we can just get everyone to do it. Except for the people that would be getting thses laptops that is...

[J_Satch]

one more thing

to consider...
if anybody has been following the mac switcher thread, maybe we could give macs to the world and everybody could be smarter, more informed, more intelligent, higher paid, and have a superior os too! still LMAO!!!

[J_Satch]

one more thing

to consider...
if anybody has been following the mac switcher thread, maybe we could give macs to the world and everybody could be smarter, more informed, more intelligent, higher paid, and have a superior os too! still LMAO!!!

They can use Portable DVD player as shell

I don't see this very difficult. They just need to make small motherboard that can fit into Portable DVD Player. The shell is ready.

They can use Portable DVD player as shell

I don't see this very difficult. They just need to make small motherboard that can fit into Portable DVD Player. The shell is ready.

first rename it the Edu-Tab.

this is great that we have more selfless people in the world,I had the same Idea and e-mailed to microsoft the concept was to build a tablet type pc for all the kids in the world, then combine with wi-fi and distance learning/conference/interactive style teaching,then poor countries would save a bundle on teachers,commuting and school buildings as well,just look at schedule repeats and yearly re-broadcast ,homework and classroom digital recordings.our kids will be super smart and quickly bring us into the new millenium

first rename it the Edu-Tab.

this is great that we have more selfless people in the world,I had the same Idea and e-mailed to microsoft the concept was to build a tablet type pc for all the kids in the world, then combine with wi-fi and distance learning/conference/interactive style teaching,then poor countries would save a bundle on teachers,commuting and school buildings as well,just look at schedule repeats and yearly re-broadcast ,homework and classroom digital recordings.our kids will be super smart and quickly bring us into the new millenium

What about American Kids?

How about everyone who is concerned with the quality of education in the US spend 1 hour volunteering in a classroom, or reading to children at a local library, or helping in an adult literacy program?

What about American Kids?

How about everyone who is concerned with the quality of education in the US spend 1 hour volunteering in a classroom, or reading to children at a local library, or helping in an adult literacy program?

[Mendz]

How about if...

... we just let this kickoff and see what happens. I can imagine it now... rich kids willing to buy the laptop from poor kids at $150...

:D
Peace...

[Mendz]

How about if...

... we just let this kickoff and see what happens. I can imagine it now... rich kids willing to buy the laptop from poor kids at $150...

:D
Peace...

[Captain_Spock]

This Could Be An Even Better Idea!

What about if IBM donates the source-codes (which would not bring about any legal challenges from other parties) of the OS/2 Operating System to the Developers, OEMs, and Educational Institutions around the world so that this once promising operating system can have the upgrade (based on open-source development) it now requires... simultaneously working with the companies like "Google" and "Lenovo" to jointly come up with best-of-breed systems starting from low-end systems for those who cannot afford to those which can be custom build for those who can; and, if this if found to be economically feasible then offer them for "free" to school children around the world whose families cannot afford to pay for one. I wish the time was now when the Schools' Laptop Program which was started here in our City when at that time parents were faced with a cost of upwards of $1500. for an IBM 380ED on which we have OS/2 Warp Version 4 still running superbly!

[ramonck]

this was made for poor kids.

This project was made to provide poor children with better education for a better future, and yes it will go to US also. But the large poor kids population remain in the rest of the world were you have a vast majority earning less than 100 dollars a month.
If you earn less than 100 dollars a month, you can't buy a laptop, so the 100 laptop still is expensive if they were going to buy it, but since the government is going to buy it's not going to come out for that price, I think it's going to be for free for the children.
And yes I think if we had this on the comercial end it would benefit the third world countries to join the internet and agregate value to it.

I think it's one large step for third world to cut computer iliteracy.

[Captain_Spock]

This Could Be An Even Better Idea!

What about if IBM donates the source-codes (which would not bring about any legal challenges from other parties) of the OS/2 Operating System to the Developers, OEMs, and Educational Institutions around the world so that this once promising operating system can have the upgrade (based on open-source development) it now requires... simultaneously working with the companies like "Google" and "Lenovo" to jointly come up with best-of-breed systems starting from low-end systems for those who cannot afford to those which can be custom build for those who can; and, if this if found to be economically feasible then offer them for "free" to school children around the world whose families cannot afford to pay for one. I wish the time was now when the Schools' Laptop Program which was started here in our City when at that time parents were faced with a cost of upwards of $1500. for an IBM 380ED on which we have OS/2 Warp Version 4 still running superbly!

[ramonck]

this was made for poor kids.

This project was made to provide poor children with better education for a better future, and yes it will go to US also. But the large poor kids population remain in the rest of the world were you have a vast majority earning less than 100 dollars a month.
If you earn less than 100 dollars a month, you can't buy a laptop, so the 100 laptop still is expensive if they were going to buy it, but since the government is going to buy it's not going to come out for that price, I think it's going to be for free for the children.
And yes I think if we had this on the comercial end it would benefit the third world countries to join the internet and agregate value to it.

I think it's one large step for third world to cut computer iliteracy.

Replace textbooks with the laptop

OK, I'm a high school teacher. There is a shortage of textbooks and students hardly ever bring their books to school. They don't want to carry 5 books to/from school daily.

Also, the school has horrible technology. It is very hard to get access to the computer lab and using technology in the classroom is very difficult.

Many area charter schools already issue a laptop to every student. They are given one as a freshman and 100 percent responsible for the system. This laptop features all the textbooks in electronic form, access to the lessons, the ability to record, type, and access notes, and more.

After four years, you can reclaim the $100 computers from graduating seniors (for upgrade/refurbishment and reuse), sell them at a discount, or allow the computers to be kept as a graduation gift (and for use in college).

You would be putting a computer in every students hand, especially in the hands of students who don't have a computer at home.

I've been a strong advocate of taking this direction with all schools and at $100/computer this is a perfect opportunity.

[Mendz]

Implementation...

... of the project should indeed be planned on the school organization's level where the laptops are centrally managed for inventory, distribution, content loading (e.g. w/ e-books and e-workbooks for the school year), maintenance and support.

While the $100 laptop seems to be promising, a winning implementation plan should precede its success.

Perhaps the worse to happen is when the $100 laptops are lost because the poor kids decide to sell them to some rich kids on the block and the school can't do anything about it...

Replace textbooks with the laptop

OK, I'm a high school teacher. There is a shortage of textbooks and students hardly ever bring their books to school. They don't want to carry 5 books to/from school daily.

Also, the school has horrible technology. It is very hard to get access to the computer lab and using technology in the classroom is very difficult.

Many area charter schools already issue a laptop to every student. They are given one as a freshman and 100 percent responsible for the system. This laptop features all the textbooks in electronic form, access to the lessons, the ability to record, type, and access notes, and more.

After four years, you can reclaim the $100 computers from graduating seniors (for upgrade/refurbishment and reuse), sell them at a discount, or allow the computers to be kept as a graduation gift (and for use in college).

You would be putting a computer in every students hand, especially in the hands of students who don't have a computer at home.

I've been a strong advocate of taking this direction with all schools and at $100/computer this is a perfect opportunity.

[Mendz]

Implementation...

... of the project should indeed be planned on the school organization's level where the laptops are centrally managed for inventory, distribution, content loading (e.g. w/ e-books and e-workbooks for the school year), maintenance and support.

While the $100 laptop seems to be promising, a winning implementation plan should precede its success.

Perhaps the worse to happen is when the $100 laptops are lost because the poor kids decide to sell them to some rich kids on the block and the school can't do anything about it...