That's a pretty good article on the XO and its state. My favorite paragraph:
"This leads to the final problem that has done the most to disappoint OLPC’s fans: the hubris, arrogance and occasional self-righteousness of OLPC workers. They treated all criticism as enemy fire to be deflected and quashed rather than considered and possibly taken on board. Overcoming this will be essential if the project is to succeed past its first release. Technology products improve based on user feedback. The OLPC staff will need to learn to listen to the candid criticism of outsiders for teh second-generation of the laptop—or they do not deserve to build one."
Thanks for the article. There's actually a silver lining to the OLPC, the spawning of a number of competitors to the cheap laptop. Other quotes from the article:
"Since the project launched in 2005, commercial rivals have emerged: Intel’s “Classmate” at around $250; Acer’s laptop at $350; Everex PCs with Zonbu software at around $280; Asustek Computer’s Asus Eee at under $400; and an Indian competitor, Novatium Solutions, which created a basic "NetPC" for around $80. There are many more. .... "
"Likewise, an inexpensive laptop seemed impossible until Mr Negroponte and the OLPC group placed a stake in the ground to build a $100 laptop—which in turn spurred the industry’s biggest players to create low-cost PCs. Mr Negroponte’s vision for a $100 laptop was not the right computer, only the right price. Like many pioneers, he laid a path for others to follow."
That's the problem with pioneers. They're the ones with arrows in their backs. Kudos to Negroponte for his contribution to the laptop. Though hardly in a way he at all desired.
Sorry, I just can't give that credence. Go read the comments from any slashdot story on the OLPC. That's the kind of inane 'advice' that outsiders have for the OLPC project - uninformed wankery. Almost all of it is stupid shit, from "If you're going to even THINK about doing something good, you're a horrible monster if you're not feeding the starving children in war-torn country X first" to "Clearly they'll fail because they're refusing to design it to require my product that doesn't match their goals"
Just because it's a somewhat charitable project apparently gives everyone the idea that they're obligated to give 'advice' to the people who went out and did research in the field. Now THAT's the hubris, arrogance, and self-righteousness. I'd hazard to guess that they were open and welcoming to good honest advice, just not the self-important blather of those that are now offended that they weren't listened to.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jus10 @ Jan 4th 2008 11:12AM
http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10472304
That's a pretty good article on the XO and its state. My favorite paragraph:
"This leads to the final problem that has done the most to disappoint OLPC’s fans: the hubris, arrogance and occasional self-righteousness of OLPC workers. They treated all criticism as enemy fire to be deflected and quashed rather than considered and possibly taken on board. Overcoming this will be essential if the project is to succeed past its first release. Technology products improve based on user feedback. The OLPC staff will need to learn to listen to the candid criticism of outsiders for teh second-generation of the laptop—or they do not deserve to build one."
Cedric @ Jan 4th 2008 3:37PM
Thanks for the article. There's actually a silver lining to the OLPC, the spawning of a number of competitors to the cheap laptop. Other quotes from the article:
"Since the project launched in 2005, commercial rivals have emerged: Intel’s “Classmate” at around $250; Acer’s laptop at $350; Everex PCs with Zonbu software at around $280; Asustek Computer’s Asus Eee at under $400; and an Indian competitor, Novatium Solutions, which created a basic "NetPC" for around $80. There are many more. .... "
"Likewise, an inexpensive laptop seemed impossible until Mr Negroponte and the OLPC group placed a stake in the ground to build a $100 laptop—which in turn spurred the industry’s biggest players to create low-cost PCs. Mr Negroponte’s vision for a $100 laptop was not the right computer, only the right price. Like many pioneers, he laid a path for others to follow."
That's the problem with pioneers. They're the ones with arrows in their backs. Kudos to Negroponte for his contribution to the laptop. Though hardly in a way he at all desired.
GTMoogle @ Jan 4th 2008 9:06PM
Sorry, I just can't give that credence. Go read the comments from any slashdot story on the OLPC. That's the kind of inane 'advice' that outsiders have for the OLPC project - uninformed wankery. Almost all of it is stupid shit, from "If you're going to even THINK about doing something good, you're a horrible monster if you're not feeding the starving children in war-torn country X first" to "Clearly they'll fail because they're refusing to design it to require my product that doesn't match their goals"
Just because it's a somewhat charitable project apparently gives everyone the idea that they're obligated to give 'advice' to the people who went out and did research in the field. Now THAT's the hubris, arrogance, and self-righteousness. I'd hazard to guess that they were open and welcoming to good honest advice, just not the self-important blather of those that are now offended that they weren't listened to.