OLPC sells 150,000 laptops to public, may do Give1 Get 1 next year

Shockingly enough, Laptop magazine -- of all magazines in print today -- wanted remind everybody that tonight's the last night your hard earned (and increasingly devalued) American currency can be exchanged for an OLPC. But they also got a few words out of NickNeg as to how many OLPC units sold in the decidedly successful Give 1 Get 1 program (150,000+, not counting big buyers like Birmingham, Alabama), and why not continue the program indefinitely ("We are a charity and not a business. If we continued it, it would become 'sales' versus a charitable promotion.") While we kind of take umbrage with that attitude -- isn't it better, after all, to seed as many machines to underprivileged children as possible under any circumstances you can? -- we're hopeful at least that the gang at OLPC will bring back the G1G1 program next year with their v2 hardware. Hopefully by then some sovereign nations will have actually bought some OLPCs of their own.

[Jherez @ Dec 31st 2007 8:39PM]

Anyone here got their hands on one?

[bobartig @ Jan 1st 2008 1:50AM]

Yep, I have one. What's it to ya? Ok, that came out all confrontational, but for no good reason.

I placed my order within the first 3 minutes, so I got it on Dec 22nd, and I've been messing around with it. I have no idea how to access the SD card slot. I bought a 2gb card for it and put it in, but I can't seem to get file handling to do anything I want from within sugar.

[Titousensei @ Jan 1st 2008 4:57PM]

Insert your card in the SD slot, and go to the Journal: at the bottom
left corner, you should see an SD Card icon. Click on it and you can
view your files and install .xo packages. If you can't see the icon,
the card is not recognized (happens with card of 16MB and smaller,
and bigger than 2GB).

I recommend using a USB key instead of an SD card for frequent
transfers, because the SD slot is not easy to access.

[mushrooshi @ Dec 31st 2007 8:58PM]

In before "But can it run Doom".

[Ed @ Dec 31st 2007 9:56PM]

How the hell are these things selling? I can see some people being brainwashed into thinking the third-worlders would actually want these, but people actually want these for themselves?

[sracer @ Dec 31st 2007 11:06PM]

I'm a day-1 donor, and yes I wanted one for myself. I've had mine for over a week. A rugged, mini notebook, with built-in wifi, great screen, excellent book reader, built-in camera, mic, speakers, SD card slot, 3 USB 2.0 ports, touchpad, digitizing tablet areas, and runs Linux, what's not to want?!

An amazing little device for a good cause.

[hozelda @ Jan 1st 2008 12:47AM]

Let me add to what sracer stated ...

The video and audio recordings you make on it sound much better through real speakers (in my case, I used usb stick to transfer to my desktop). This while using the built in mic, so I imagine if you attach a separate mic it would be even better.

The web cam is good for basic limited functionality; however, there is a usb so support by stronger peripheral hardware should be increasing quickly (now with more machines out).

The software on the machines will continue to improve (including the python interpreter). The problem I found is that when I load up several of the larger apps, the laptop eventually gets a little flaky (I think it is a memory issue).

Overall, I feel great taking the XO with me on the road. It's light; easy to carry; great in sunlight and heat and humidity; much easier to type on than smaller handhelds; has all the basics (including a shell); has some activities that excel on these machines (since networks set up automatically and sharing is so easy); and with all of these things comes a greater peach of mind. Naturally, there are some limitations (not enough RAM or CPU power to be able to run some of the better apps now or in the future) but then you pay for some things so you expect to give up a few others for a given price. .. For the basics, it's a liberating machine.

I'll repeat this again. The software on these machines will continue to improve, especially with a lot more developers now getting their hands on them. In time all the basic apps that aren't hogs (including slim versions of almost any app) will run on this. Then, as long as you run just one (big) app at a time, things should be fine.

[Ed @ Jan 1st 2008 5:49AM]

I appreciate that i'ts a rugged mini-notebook, but there are two
things I can't live with: The OS, and the tiny keyboard. I have
trouble typing on even a small laptop keyboard (11", for example),
and while I do use linux occasionally and can appreciate it, I can't
deal with it's over-cingularized, under-intuitive UI.

[catbertz @ Dec 31st 2007 10:23PM]

I donated one, after planning to Give/Get one for my daughter. I came to the conclusion that these are great for third worlders, but not on par with the more powerful options available in our market.

[hozelda @ Jan 1st 2008 12:58AM]

When you say that, be reasonable what you compare it to. We are talking about a laptop with many features that handhelds do not have (or do as well as the XO does: eg, large screen for reading in sunlight or in dark and good size keyboard; plus excellent sharing abilities if you bought more than one; plus the ability to run virtually any light FOSS apps .. once these get ported over to work gracefully with Sugar). You also have to realize that this platform continues to improve and will not be abandoned as happens to many other more closed platforms. The software that now runs on it will run faster and new softare will continue to be added. Finally, in bulk, you can't beat the price (eg, for school or large business or gov buyers).

As far as the G1G1 program, well part of the draw there is the donation and to get something special on its first offering (and to help the effort along in its early more trying days). Aside from that it is competitive if arguably not the best deal on the market @ $430 (including shipping and tax). It may be the best deal, but that depends on your needs.

[catbertz @ Jan 1st 2008 6:34PM]

@ hozelda

I agree with your comments about the XO features. I hope some of it's functional/design elements trickle up to consumer laptops.

Over all I decided that those features, as currently packaged, would shine in the challenging target market they were designed for, and not my daughters bedroom :)

[JTM @ Dec 31st 2007 10:44PM]

In case anybody else is wondering, here's the definition of umbrage - courtesy of Answers.com
------------------------------

umbrage (ŭm'brĭj)
n.
1. Offense; resentment: took umbrage at their rudeness.
2.
1. Something that affords shade.
2. Shadow or shade. See synonyms at shade.
3. A vague or indistinct indication; a hint.

[Zap @ Dec 31st 2007 10:49PM]

Great...now get mine shipped!

[Dr Buzz0 @ Dec 31st 2007 11:22PM]

Why the hell does anyone want one? Isn't the whole idea of this supposed to be low-frills, low-power, basic, small and designed for cheapness? I mean seriously, this is like standing in line to get to eat a bowl of rice from a UN relief truck. Sure, if you live in Africa and it's all you've got, but why would anyone in the US or somewhere else that is developed want to go and get this? It's not like you can't get much better laptops for not much more

[hozelda @ Jan 1st 2008 1:16AM]

I think the laptop is competitive when you consider the extras it has (average ebay prices should rice into the $3xx or at least upper 2xx now with the g1g1 being over). You can't get portability and some other nice features without giving up something.

You are probably right that assuming you are willing to sacrifice having one (you are happy with something smaller or something larger) then you can find better deals if you look out for them. The biggest problem with these machines I think is the amount of RAM; however, there may be software bugs or sw that is not yet optimized (eg, weak areas here or there plus Python in cases C would be best) since 256MB is not that little if you have swap. Of course, swap to flash is not ideal either. In theory there should be no problem adding slower memory (through USB) to be able to run larger apps. [Even this slower memory is much faster than disk, btw.] So through USB thumb drives or something similar, I expect that large applications will be able to run on this.

But the key here is that on the road, most people are usually willing to sacrifice some power. If they aren't, then they probably are willing to spend $1000+ for a laptop. Don't compare the XO to those.

Anyway, people that don't develop probably don't realize that immature platforms have more room to improve than more mature platforms. The XO is running a lot of sw that most people don't run because it is new. This means there are more bugs than in some other cases and areas where optimizations are still to be made.

Also, this machine is very open. The software improvements made by the community can occur down to very low levels. Normal laptops will always carry more baggage and have to deal with a certain amount of proprietary inefficiencies that the proprietary vendor will never get around to fixing.

[Ed @ Jan 1st 2008 6:08AM]

Exactly. If i had the 400 bucks for an OLPC via G1G1, i would rather give them something with power and a useable OS, like the EEE, even if it meant that I wouldn't get one myself.

[Jherez @ Jan 1st 2008 12:45AM]

To sell on ebay in 10 years...

[Dan @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:18AM]

I bought one and have been contemplating even opening the box up. I know computers don't appreciate in value, but this one is a piece of history. Does anyone think it will be worth more in the future?

[hozelda @ Jan 1st 2008 1:23AM]

Anyone can help rethink the design of their favorite desktop Linux app (that isn't too large) so that it fits in nicely with the Sugar interface. See http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OLPC_Human_Interface_Guidelines and http://dev.laptop.org/

I also suggest for now that you try and use as few apps at one time as possible in the XO. Also, browsing worked quite well for me, but you may want to download the adobe flash plugin (see http://www.laptop.org/en/laptop/start/troubleshooting.shtml ).

[Rob @ Jan 1st 2008 1:32AM]

I gave one/got one... The main reason I purchased it (besides the desire to help out the cause) was that I thought it would make a great introductory computer for my 18-month old daughter. My wife and I each have more powerful laptops and our toddler is always trying to take them from us and type on them. The OLPC has become the perfect way to introduce our daughter to the cause and effect relationship that a computer does what you tell it to. For now we are using the music applications which come on the OLPC to show her how key actions lead to sounds and visual feedback on the display. As she grows she'll be able to learn from other more powerful applications developed by the OLPC community and by me. The linux platform and Python is great for encouraging third-party development.

The sealed keyboard is a perfect size for her tiny fingers and the bright green color makes her more comfortable because it looks like her other "toys." While the OLPC may be underpowered for most adults and people with more serious applications, I'm convinced it is exactly what my daugher needs to gain her earliest experience with computing. The only thing I would change about it would be a faster boot time.

Oh, and you can play Doom on it.

-rob

[deslock @ Jan 1st 2008 8:39AM]

To those expressing dismay at why anyone would want one (Dr Buzz0, Ed):

Other cheap laptops (such as the Asus EEE) lack the sunlight-friendly screen, tablet mode, integrated game controllers, durable shell, code reviewer (integrated with the GUI and apps), and water proof/resistant keyboard. All of those are important features in a kid's laptop, even in a developed nation. And there's also the XO's mesh networking and the EEE's 50% price premium (assuming you don't mind donating $200 to charity).

This is like all other gadgets: it has some compromises and whether or not it's suitable for you depends on your needs.

[con @ Jan 1st 2008 9:23AM]

In addition to the idea of donating these to third world countries, I want one for myself because I am a total klutz and hopefully it will survive the numerous bumps and drops off desks and tables that I anticipate I will be inflicting on the rugged device. The fact that it seems to play videos pretty smoothly, has a pretty cool ebook mode and that opera runs pretty good on it, this will be a great portable entertainment device when I am an on the road. If something happens to it and it gets stolen, I'm only out $200. I'm a first day first hour donor and still don't have mine yet, but it is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. Hopefully everyone else who ordered theirs on the first day will get yours soon.

[midiwall @ Jan 1st 2008 12:09PM]

Three of us at work did the G1G1 program, the other two of the folks have gotten theirs - I haven't gotten mine yet but have played with their's a LOT. :)

VERY nice machine, very impressive for the price-point. I was impressed with the usability of the machine out of the box (yes, they keyboard takes some time to get used to) and the wide range of apps that come bundled (how many machines come with an audio trainer in the form of a digital oscilloscope?!).

The mesh network concept works _well_; adding apps is currently clumsy, but getting better; and WPA support currently involves a trip to the shell. The next kernel/Sugar release is addressing all of this and more.

Kudos to the folks behind the machine!

[adam deaves @ Jan 1st 2008 10:13PM]

I'm in canada. I was smart and used an AmeriaFriend for the shipping address. It arrived on Dec 17th, and he is coming up to Toronto to drop it off on Saturday to me - i can't wait. I'm maining going to use it as a ebook reader. at $200 it blows any other ebook reader out of the water.

[Broome @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:49PM]

I support the program as being part of a new paradigm regarding education AND the manufacture of laptops. The educational and personal benefits of being able to connect with other people via a mesh network and access the web to find the answers to problems and become connected to the world community, are self evident. We must remember that the efforts of the OLPC organization are NOT mutually exclusive to the help that these countries receive regarding their other needs.

As for the laptop itself. I do not expect the XO to be the laptop of my dreams, but rather the Model T of a new species of laptops; no hard drive; no ridiculous OS that requires 2 gigs of Ram to run effectively, rechargable in a variety of ways, mesh network, durable, sturdy, user friendly with built in camera, USB slots, SD slot, tablet hinges and choice of using b&w or color screen. And the truth is I haven't even listed half of the features which separate this so far from what we now call "laptops" I am not saying that the XO is better than our present laptops. I am saying that the XO reimagines what a laptop could be and how much a laptop should cost AND that this reimagining is VERY exciting! Don't belittle it because it isn't as "powerful" as a Vaio or even a triple e. Not too long ago our hard drives were cassettes. Windows 3.1 ran on my computer with a 20mb hard drive with lots of space for my other apps. If you must compare the XO, compare it with those computers of long ago, the Radio Shacks, the PHPs, The 286s or 386s. Basically, the question is "As the first of its kind, has the XO achieved its goals?" Obviously it has not achieved the price it wanted, but from what I have heard it has done remarkably well as a piece of hardware. The software is catching up. I can't wait to get mine and quite frankly I can't wait to see the XO of 2018.

By the way I have really appreciated the comments of deslock and hozelda. Thank you both.