Many "thoughful" comments and some utter cr@p :-P. Even the ones that are "right" in pointing out Intel's hostile move are still ignorant about what is actually happening. I am not even going to comment about those who think that this is the "way of life" or that OLPC is whatever. What many of you don't know about dumping and other things. Why Intel is so interested in this market?. First of almost all 3rd world countries and developing countries have extremely corrupt Govt. Officials. The reason why Intel is successful because it is bribing. I live in a developing country and I have umpteen of these projects and how they work, from bicycles for the poor children to go to school and free lunch programs. If 10000 bicycles are approved in the budget only 500 actually reach the poor. The remaining 9500 bicyles is never supplied by the company, but the Govt. officials in charge sign on documents that guarantee it. Why?... because firstly the bicycle company that got the order would be selling it for below the production cost to win the order, then he has to bribe all the officials invovled. Then the company with the officials and the media take videos of the 500 bicyles being distributed and everyone is happy. After a year some journalist might rake up the issue but even 3rd world countries have their own local "britney spears" and "paris hiltons" to distract everybody. It is pretty obvious that OLPC is never going to bribe or cannot offord to bribe any official. Everybody knows the price of the OLPC. Wheras in the case of Intel there is plenty of scope for corruption and these Govt officials to make money. If you read that Intel never mentioned for how much they sold the Classmate PC to Libya. They never will and they never have to bother about service or support of the PCs. Because that is how is it in 3rd world countries you cannot hold the Govt responsible for lack of electricity water and many other issues. Do you think they are going to respond to a blue screen on your laptop which they gave you free!!!!. I can guarantee you that Intel PC are going to be sold in the grey market for half the original price in Libya cause someone is going to get their hands of some of the PCs and sell it. So before applying any more though and meaningless POVs consider the above factors. One more thing OLPC has kept some of these facts in mind. Their laptop has a very rugged OS which is may not be good to look at but it will never fail. These kids may get a laptop but they will never be able to get is serviced if a problem ever occurs. That is the harsh reality that Intel is taking advantage of. there is not new market, Intel found that 3rd world countries(govt officials that is) are not happy about this initiative as they are not making any money. Intel is just filling its own pockets with these countries taxes and world bank loans and giving a good share to the politicians.
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Many "thoughful" comments and some utter cr@p :-P.
Even the ones that are "right" in pointing out Intel's hostile move are still ignorant about what is actually happening. I am not even going to comment about those who think that this is the "way of life" or that OLPC is whatever.
What many of you don't know about dumping and other things. Why Intel is so interested in this market?.
First of almost all 3rd world countries and developing countries have extremely corrupt Govt. Officials. The reason why Intel is successful because it is bribing. I live in a developing country and I have umpteen of these projects and how they work, from bicycles for the poor children to go to school and free lunch programs.
If 10000 bicycles are approved in the budget only 500 actually reach the poor. The remaining 9500 bicyles is never supplied by the company, but the Govt. officials in charge sign on documents that guarantee it. Why?... because firstly the bicycle company that got the order would be selling it for below the production cost to win the order, then he has to bribe all the officials invovled. Then the company with the officials and the media take videos of the 500 bicyles being distributed and everyone is happy.
After a year some journalist might rake up the issue but even 3rd world countries have their own local "britney spears" and "paris hiltons" to distract everybody.
It is pretty obvious that OLPC is never going to bribe or cannot offord to bribe any official. Everybody knows the price of the OLPC. Wheras in the case of Intel there is plenty of scope for corruption and these Govt officials to make money. If you read that Intel never mentioned for how much they sold the Classmate PC to Libya.
They never will and they never have to bother about service or support of the PCs. Because that is how is it in 3rd world countries you cannot hold the Govt responsible for lack of electricity water and many other issues. Do you think they are going to respond to a blue screen on your laptop which they gave you free!!!!.
I can guarantee you that Intel PC are going to be sold in the grey market for half the original price in Libya cause someone is going to get their hands of some of the PCs and sell it.
So before applying any more though and meaningless POVs consider the above factors.
One more thing OLPC has kept some of these facts in mind. Their laptop has a very rugged OS which is may not be good to look at but it will never fail. These kids may get a laptop but they will never be able to get is serviced if a problem ever occurs.
That is the harsh reality that Intel is taking advantage of.
there is not new market, Intel found that 3rd world countries(govt officials that is) are not happy about this initiative as they are not making any money. Intel is just filling its own pockets with these countries taxes and world bank loans and giving a good share to the politicians.