Generally we reserve
this feature for already-released consumer products, but with everyone now the proud owner of "
the last gadget I'll ever need," we figure that we're forced to look in a new direction for devices to collectively critique. And with the hundred-dollar-and-change
OLPC XO finally in
full-scale production, what better candidate to help us stray from the traditional format? Keep in mind, though, as you're tearing the charitable unit apart, that it's not really meant for the readers and writers of Engadget (
at least not yet), and therefore you're gonna look pretty silly suggesting Alienware-esque specs for a project whose goal is financial prudence. That being said, there are still a number of changes we can think of that would benefit the kiddies while still keeping the green plastic wonder under budget. Like, how about a keyboard with some tactility that one can actually touch type on? And while we love the philosophy behind open-source software, the sad truth is that you need to at least be familiar with Windows in the business world -- and with Microsoft
offering $3 basic installs to developing countries, why not let these machines dual-boot? Finally -- and this one is for you
conservative types over at the News Agency of Nigeria -- NickNeg and friends should probably stop wasting time with those ineffective filters and simply make the machines incapable of displaying flesh tones instead.
Well that's the best we could come up with; now how about you -- how would you change the OLPC XO?
posted July 30th 2007 9:58AM
How about attaching a carbon filtered drinking straw, cos your health's more important than your Myspace page...
It's already been posted, but the specs for this machine are as follows;
AMD Geode running at 433MHz
256MB RAM
1GB of flash storage
So how is dual booting Windows supposed work? I don't think Windows could fit all by itself on 1GB and the user experience would be horrible due to the speed of the machine and lack of RAM. Linux really shines on low end hardware like this.
Whatever they do, they cannot put Windows on it. We don't need to have these laptops crashing on little kids! And you know they'd pack Vista on these things, increasing the price of each one by about...er...I dunno...$100 or so!
How about having the laptops in other colors, besides green and white? Blue and black would be awesome. And those ear things look kinda stupid. How about having sliding covers for those ports?
Also, I know this sounds...strange, but how about distributing them in places other than poor, undeveloped countries? Several public schools could use these things!
Depending on my mood, I find it either hilarious or disturbing that people talk about putting Windows (or even dual boot) on the XO.
If you did, it wouldn't be the XO. And I'm not talking ideologically, although that is foremost for me. I mean, the project just wouldn't be possible.
It doesn't have the hardware to run Windows. Check those specs again.
One of the key points that made the XO possible was that the OLPC people developed their system stripping lots of redundancy. Heck, even a modern Linux desktop would have a hard time running on the XO. They did a huge job, which is now beginning to be used by many other small- and embedded-linux projects.
And cutting all those weights in software is one essential ingredient of what allowed the hardware to be so cheap.
No, I don't think it's feasible to put Windows in the XO, at least not an usable, useful Windows. And I'm glad.
I'm with Fake Steve Jobs on this one.
I'd quit trying to shove cheap ass hardware down the throats of the African continent and try and build an infrastructure that they could actually plug those XO's up too...
That's okay though, this will ease the collective Western consciousness that we're doing something while not actually fixing the real problems...
Good press for Negroponte though, I'm sure he'll get plenty of awards for this.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gregg-easterbrook/greatest-living-american-_b_56665.html
Results matter.
It's not our job to solve everyone else's problems.
@ strider
No doubt, but at the same time lets not kid ourselves about what the XO's going to do.
It's going to make Westerners feel like they ARE helping solve the problem. Let's not get all hot on Negroponte's jock for perpetuating the illusion that we're 'doing something' about it.
If it's not our problem, lets be honest about it. No need to start siphoning money or time into an XO when all we're really getting from it is a false sense of accomplishment.
The problem that the OLPC tries to address is that if we simply walk in and start building infrastructure, it completely destroys the countries internal market system. For example, when a country is flooded with free second hand clothes from well-meaning westerners, how is a local businessman ever going to start a textiles industry?
The OLPC is about educating kids, but more importantly it's about making kids beleive that they can go out and build their _own_ infrastructure. If kids grow up seeing that the only source of food, clothing etc is Western aid, they become reliant on it. This isn't saying that we need to cease all aid or anything so callous, just that we need to ensure we foster the ideals of self-improvement in poor countries.
because, you know, its OUR fault that Africa is a shithole country run by a corrupt government
i understand we took people from there to be slaves, and that is our black mark on its PEOPLE, but we're not the ones who created and deepened the divide of class and money
shut the hell up, Adam, the founder of this project knows he can't solve all of the world's problems, but he does know he can provide some help in keeping the world connected and knowledgeable, even to educate others
Meanwhile, what the flying fuck are YOU doing? sitting on your ass and bitching about something you had no part in doing, about something that isn't your fault, but that is not your solution either
i don't believe this story should have been posted, if you all wanted something different about this laptop, you should have got off your asses and contacted the creator of these machines to offer your opinion, and if you had the credentials, you would have been possibly picked to help shape this creation
but none of you did, so shut up
I'm worried about the quality of these computers. While it's well and good that they are trying to keep the costs low, I'm sure the minus of that is that there is going to be very little quality control. A lot of these countries that are already weary of the concept could shut it all down when a couple handfuls of machines are DOA. So, while not sexy, I'd try to keep the quality up in the initial runs just to establish the machine.
Defiantly keep just Linux....Linux spreading it good since it will gain popularity and gain a large market share.
I would add more ram up to 512mb....RAM is REALLY cheap for a 512mb stick.
Add more flash memory.....Kids want music and porn and 1gb isn't enough even for a few large powerpoints.
jakep_82:
Obviously you don't remember how old Windows XP really is ;-)
I've been running it on a 300 MHz Pentium2 with 256 MB and it worked just fine, but it definetly needs more than 1 GB storage to have something left for programs and games.
Hey what about getting rid of the manufacturer who for some reason needs to make something like a $70 profit on each one. THIS IS NON PROFIT TO HELP KIDS, greedy bastards.
1. Swivel screen + dirt + unfamiliar with tech kids + water = broken Swivel screen.
2. White color + dirt + unfamiliar with tech kids + rocks + no case = VERY dirty and possibly broken Laptop. I may be out of my cultural element here but they might try making it in a less "12 yr old with AK gets all the toys he can [easily see from 100yds]" color.
3. I am not sure how high they think this thing can be dropped from but it most likely isn't as high as they think and will often be dropped from higher anyway. More soft plastic buffer. Make the whole thing from it- prolly still wont be enough.
4. Filters... How about one that deletes any outgoing email that says "A mutual friend of mine has given me your name and said that you can be trusted..."
5. Did I mention that the friggin thing is WHITE? How about brown?
I would send a team of instructors along with every batch of laptops to help teachers and students get the most out of their OLPCs.
The OLPC needs to be made available to economically deprived youngsters in the US as well as the developing world. There are still a number of areas of this country - such as my home state of Louisiana - which still have significant pockets of poverty and children in those areas should be afforded access to the computers and connectivity just as children in the Third World should be.
The OLPC needs to be made available to economically deprived youngsters in the US as well as the developing world. There are still a number of areas of this country - such as my home state of Louisiana - which still have significant pockets of poverty and children in those areas should be afforded access to the computers and connectivity just as children in the Third World should be.
it is being made available to economically deprived children in the US.
A little bit of topic ....
Having spent lots of time in some of the world poorest countries this project has always amazed me because the smart people behind it seem somewhat naive to me ( not that I don't think Negropronte has done some interesting things throughout his career I have been to MIT's media lab). But how about using the money spent on these computer to provide clean drinking water or immunizations for common illnesses or so many other more usefully things like micro loans, funds for schools so that the kids can learn to read and write if you don't have money to go to school ( yes school in many countries is not free ) and if you can't read and write the OLPC is just a bad joke.
My suggestion sell a "western version" OLPC to people in the west to get funds ....
There is a western version under development.
You can't just ask governments to provide more food and water. OLPC is a non profit whose goal is to provide a tool that governments can invest in their children and the future. It's not a zero sum game here (sorry to beat a dead horse) It seems like a lot of people have been caught up on the idea that you can just take the money that's going into the project and reinvest it in water or clean socks and underwear or something. That's no the way the world works. The people and governments investing in the project are interested in the project for what it is. And remember, this is not your tax money being spent here, it's an independent non profit, a handful of billionaires and a bunch of foreign governments paying the bills.
I am aware of of what your saying .... But I think that the OLPC initiative has embraced a rather naive view of what life is like in many of places in this world. I think there is view form the OPLC community well I need a laptop so everyone else on earth must want one too. I think its a lot more about misdirected energy and funds. Its the usual thing well meaning westerners forcing their what their ideas on how to fix problems without ever asking the people we are helping what can we do to help. I talk from personal experience in this matter when I was asked to look into the viability of another project where someone was trying to throw lots money around without a clear view of what was really needed. Lets face think in the an OLPC looks more glamorous then a water pump its one of those it makes me feel good about myself project. Don't even get me started what effect local corruption will have on this project.
Add an iPod/iPhone dock.
OLPC is a very transparent project. So if you are curious about ideas that have already been tossed around for the next generation of the machine, here they are: http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/836
I would get rid off all unnecessary moving parts, like those ears on either side of the screen and the swivel screen feature. Moving parts = expense + failure point. The money saved can be reinvested in a more sturdy clam shell design. Strong colors are great but the design should be more a fashionable cool than cheap toy design language. This is a big missed opportunity to create a new design trend in consumer electronics that is not Apple (don't get me wrong, I love Apple but a little variety would be great)
On the OS side I agree, a streamlined version of Ubuntu would be perfect.
I would make it nonexistent. I'm not sure I've ever seen a more misguided charitable effort. School kids in Nigeria don't need laptops, they need drinkable water so they don't get dysentery. They need mosquito nets so they don't get malaria. Want to splurge and send them some first world luxuries? How about vaccinations? Not to mention the fact that there is no indication whatsoever that being constantly connected via a personal laptop helps school kids learn, no matter what country they live in.
Water and health are issues that have been dealt with in a huge number of places in the world places where education is still lacking.
a laptop in the hands of some incredibly well funded(by comparison) school with a huge(by comparison) number of books might do shit but what about a school in vietnam\nigeria with no books? or one book for the class\school?
this is what the xo provides Hundreds, Thousands of books from a beginners engineering book to Romeo and Juliet to a graduate physics text all on this tiny little thing
and this is just the start it also gives you access to the guts of one of the most powerful operating systems around that are used in the REAL world.
it gives you access to a programing language to begin hacking around with that is used in so many places its not funny and once you learn the basics of this one and the basics of the OS you can install new ones
For those that do not agree with OLPC and think food is more important, I think you are right but I think every industry can help the world with a bit or what it manufactures. Food producers can share 0.5% of its profits by giving out some of it's products. OLPC is one way. I would love to have the chance to chat to someone that has an OLPC and know what he/she is mostly in need for so I can know exactly what products need to go where! it would help get opinions and thoughts back and forth insteed of just one-way communication. Thanks Engadget!
I know, you probably don't know this, but "the third world" is not limited to Africa.
Furthermore, the term "third world" isn't politically correct.
You might want to check wikipedia on this...
That being said, it's not like poor starving children in Africa (or elsewehre) will be forced to buy a laptop.
The term "third world" describes underdeveloped countries, anywhere between the states "not being able to support the population adequately" to "close to industrialization".
So there might actually be some underdeveloped countries that could use those laptops.
Though, we have to keep in mind here, that some underdeveloped countries could live just fine without the modern world and all its crap, if we wouldn't have messed them up in the first place.
If a superior culture meets an inferior culture, the inferior culture will lose.
I use Windows and I like Windows... but we need to level the playing field somewhat; it is healthy for innovation.
What about Apple, Inc.? Apple should put their Operating System on those machines.
1. Remove "stupid kid interface" and replace it with something more realistic. Those children (and parents) who can't use normal interface are either too small or to stupid to use computer at all.
2. Remove mesh network completly. WiFi should only capable to connect to teacher's computer in 30m range, and NOTHING else. Do it on HARDWARE level. Wireless module what OLPC have now is more of military\criminal value rather of educational. If children (and parents) don't understand that, see (1)
3. Remove all non-educational\production software, but install a simple and well-documented IDE on every device. Children must be able to code everything what they want but default installation does not offer. If they are unable\unwilling to do it, see (1)
I think that at least these countries are being put in the media by the OLPC project. Apart from the news about the project and kids receiving the XO, there will be an explosion of blogs in these countries, and a lot of information about the conditions these people endure will be shown to the misinformed people.
I really think that Negroponte is doing a great thing here. We are still waiting for a Negroponte in the medicine industry, but one step at a time.
First of all I agree with all the well-intentioned posters who pointed out the obvious with great comments like 'Make it edible', very poignant and funny as well. The truth is most third word countries do have MUCH more important issues than checking damned emails.
But since this is about improving the machine: they have got to put some form of Windows on it.
You can argue your little open source 'I hate Microsoft because I am jealous of them' stories all you want. I dig open source as much as anyone but face facts, Microsoft and Windows are not going to roll over and die for at least another 50 years or so.
This thing is supposed to be a learning tool and from the get go that damned Sugar OS just teaches people to do something useless anywhere else except on this 'educational toy'.
Teach them to use a standard I'm not trying to wave a banner for Microsoft or upset you penguin heads, but it just doesn't make sense any other way.
Obvisouly food is so rare everywhere else in the world that people need that more than anything else?
How about a place where food is fairly well secured where the economy is also established. but the education is lacking?
Thats what these are for
you get books by the MB on each of these and that is more important than your misplaced belief that this is aimed at places with no secure food supply.
Yes put windows on it lets not give them a system that they can learn about or edit.
Because we want to teach them how to click start then open programs then hit office. instead of teaching them how to do it themselves
teaching kids to memorise the times tables is a waste of time when compared with teaching them how to work it out themselves.
Teach the concept not blind memorisation thus the os you learn on becomes meaningless
SUGAR is a linux distribution and while the source code is not included by default it is available.
IIRC the XOs ship with a real IDE that will let them develop their own applications (in php by default) and they will probably have the books to teach them how.
Frak teaching them how to use a standard because all that teaches is ignorance
Teach them how to do something, Teach them why,when,etc hell just leave books on it teaching them this.
even if only 1 out of every 10 even looks at some of the advanced books on there and starts writing something in php thats more than you will get without it.
Even if only 1 out of every 100 looks at the books about C programing(assumption it may be but i think a fairly safe bet) and starts hacking with the only applications he can find (the os and apps on the box) thats more than what you will find with your windows distribution.
I think it ought to ship with Shrek. They bare a striking resemblance to eachother.
I would use a dvorak keyboard layout. Sure 300 million computer users are using the crippling QWERTY keypad, but there is no need to saddle the possibly upwards of a billion people that will use the OLPC with a shitty remnant from the 1800's. I mean yes, sure, maybe one of the kids that uses the OLPC will get a job in New York working for a company, but by then windows will be obsolete and we'll be able to quickly change the keyboard layout from the control panel.
Make it PS3 compatible =P
This laptop is designed to be a cheap laptop to help kids learn in developing countries and in no way is it to teach them how to use windows for the business world. plus in these developing countries the main work force is not a bunch of pencil pushers but hard working laborers. i hope this puts things in perspective for all of us power hungry computer oriented people.
I think that the white is not the most practical colour. Perhaps a cream colour, or darker. White would look dirty very quickly.
Given that the market for this thing is probably heavily biased to Africa, where the sun shines all the time, why not put cheap solar sells across the back?
Allow *any* interested person to buy the device, have a play and maybe make a few improvements. Some people might discover they're really into it and become a fully-fledged volunteer developer (or translator/artist/tester etc).
For example implement something like that PledgeBank pledge suggested: "I will purchase the $100 laptop at $300" http://www.pledgebank.com/100laptop
where the excess dollars go to getting more laptops to those in need, or the development of the XO etc.
Negroponte rightly worries about a gray market for the devices emerging, where XOs are sold by their rightful owners (or families etc) for much-needed money. He wants the device to be so recognizable that anyone using one who isn't supposed to have one will have a stigma attached to them.
But those sold to, well, gadget lovers, could be superficially (and superficially only, or what's the point?) different enough to keep it too difficult to sell a real XO. This would prevent a gray market emerging.
For example, what about a color other than green for the commercially available XOs? If all the "commercial" ones were red or blue or whatever, it would it obvious that the device was not one of the ones meant for a child. Some extra care may need to be taken to ensure that the real XOs can not simply be painted red/blue/etc then sold on.
first change: i second the dvorak keyboard. yes supporting the 'legacy' keyboards the "rest of the world" uses would make a transition easier, but since you can use dvorak on any windows computer out of the box there's no reason to keep qwerty. they are already making other language layouts, so it lessens the US-international's importance anyway.
one-point-five change: move the fn key to the multiply/divide key location; makes one-handed navigation easier (can use pg up/down home/end with one hand) and also puts it in a less awkward place (granted, now it no longer interferes with ctrl+alt since ctrl is in place of caps, great move!). color code important keys (or key labels), make mousepad section different color than stylus pad sections (for better differentation, as mentioned in the 8-year old's review somewhere). change color scheme as poster previously mentioned -- white face shell makes it harder to stare at (use dark colors), make keys dark with light labeling.
second change: the kiddie appeal (sugar, shrek casing - which i happen to like) may be nice for the initial users/target population, but as someone else mentioned what happens when they grow up? what about other target populations (i.e. mid-late teens)? will this still be appropriate for them? maybe the OS at least (since you shouldn't care about outward appearances, right reading rainbow?) should be able to 'grow' along with the user, such that previously hidden "complicated" aspects of the OS can be enabled/customized at will.
oh yeah, and sell it to the 'developed' markets on an individual basis while keeping the same mass-purchase for the 'undeveloped' markets. this will speed up the software side of development once all the tinkerers and hackers get their hands on it. also, then i can get one.
i'm not banking on the give-1-get-1 plan, since it's a limited amount and i don't trust my luck for this since i didn't win any of the engadget giveaways :(