For $150, Third-World Laptop Stirs a Big Debate

[Simon]

How are you supposed to transmit books in electronic form without
computers on the other end to receive them? I find your attitude to be
very shortsighted, especially as a poster on a LUG mailing list.  Even
from a selfish perspective, the OLPC project is going to provide a
quick increase in the Linux user base, and the new code written for
the machines is going to trickle to the rest of out machines where
useful ( there IS new tech being developed for the machines, such as
user-friendly sandboxing tools ).  It's a nice slap in the face for
Microsoft when variious countries recognize that computer literacy
isn't just knowing how to use Windows.  I just hope they add a URL bar
to the browser UI before they ship anything.

On 12/1/06, Rick Tomaschuk <rickl-ZACYGPecefkm4kRHVhTciCwD8/FfD2ys at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> On Fri, 2006-12-01 at 09:30 -0500, Chris F.A. Johnson wrote:
> > On Fri, 1 Dec 2006, Rick Tomaschuk wrote:
> >
> > > On Fri, 2006-12-01 at 00:45 -0500, Christopher Browne wrote:
> > >
> > >> When shipped in *that* form, they require no "tender loving care;"
> > >> they need only throw them at a bin, because nobody cares if the
> > >> computers survive the trip intact.
> > >
> > > I don't agree. I've been in and around shipping for decades. You don't
> > > know what you're talking about.
> >
> >     Are you seriously suggesting that computer equipment shipped for
> >     scrap is packaged with the same care as computers intended for use?
> >
> >     Has your shipping experience included sending computers for scrap?
> >
> Obviously we don't want PC's piled into a dumpster. I've been to many a
> logistics/warehouse handling reclaimed PC's not intended for scrap and
> if they are carefully stacked in skids using soft foam, bubble wrap and
> plastic film the shock they experience is no more that if they were
> packed individually in a box with Styrofoam.
>
>
> > ...
> > >> Evidently you haven't examined the specifications of the OLPC.  It's
> > >> only a "better" machine based on metrics that assume local
> > >> infrastructure involves regular power losses.
> > >>
> > > I'm old enough to have learned to read using books. What wrong with
> > > books? They can be read using a candle.
> >
> >     How many books can you buy for the price of an OLPC machine?
> >     Probably not enough to see a student through the first grade.
> >
> >     How many newspapers? Less than a year's worth.
>
> ??? I don't know what you mean?? Books are now undervalued and dirt
> cheap. They can be transmitted in electronic form, printed, recycled or
> even burned ;)
>
>
> >
> >     Etc....
> >
> --
> "Replacing desktops one PC at a time"
> http://www.TorontoNUI.ca
>
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