OLPC XO officially gets Windows XP, children of the world to be assimilated

It's been a controversial decision, but it looks like the OLPC XO has completed its transition from revolutionary education project to just another tiny Windows laptop with a useless keyboard -- albeit one with a pleasantly whimsical design. Yep, it's official: Microsoft and OLPC just put out a joint press release saying that XP-loaded XOs will be available starting in August or September, with some countries to get the machines as soon as next month. Users will get all the regular functionality of XP -- it's basically the same build as on the Eee and other ultraportables -- but Microsoft's spent over a year developing specialized drivers for the XO's various features like e-book mode, the writing pad, and camera. (We're pretty certain that doesn't include mesh networking, but WiFi is supported.) XP is too big for the built-in 1GB flash chip, so it'll come preloaded on a 2GB SD card, leaving just about 1.5GB free total for apps and media. It seems like Microsoft is thrilled about this partnership, but it's a not going to make NickNeg's search for new vision at the top any easier. As for Sugar? You'll still be able to get it, but we have a sinking feeling about its future. Demo video after the break.

[Byzil Mystwing @ May 15th 2008 8:08PM]

The default OS didn't seem to intuitive from the videos I saw anyway.. not that XP will be much better for people not well-versed in computers but.. who knows?

[dj-kenpo @ May 15th 2008 9:26PM]

my coworker has one he's brought it a few times to paly with. I think it was pretty fuckign awesome actually. drag and drop programming programs... err. etc. it was sweet.

reminded me of the 'icon' computers I had back in public school int he 80's.

xp is just stupid. for what this thing is.

what, does it come preloaded with fuckign pinball?

the xo software was cool not for the OS, but what was loaded ON IT.

[bobartig @ May 15th 2008 11:29PM]

@dj-kenpo: I have an XO, and find Sugar and the XO software to be fairly obtuse. Simple things like file handling seem overly complex. I didn't get too far with most of the bundled apps because the interface was so tortuous, and my trackpad would wonk out every half hour or so, rubberbanding to one side of the desktop over and over. Strangely, this never happened under ubuntu/xfce.

I hope that WinXP has modified UI to compensate for the ~200 dpi display. This was a killer issue when using Xfce.

[OneLove @ May 16th 2008 3:18PM]

I formatted an 8gb usb drive to fat32 in XP sp3 today and it took 4 seconds. I went home and did the same thing with Vista x64 sp1 and it took 15 minutes!!!!!! WTF? I even smoked a cigarette.

Wasn't sp1 suppose to fix crap like this?..and whats with every vista service need to connect to the internets?

[OneLove @ May 16th 2008 3:20PM]

Did he say, "...our team is fuckers"?

[AlekZander @ May 15th 2008 8:13PM]

*cue Star Wars Episode III clip*
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....

[Josh Warner @ May 15th 2008 11:39PM]

Obligatory:

DO NOT WANT

[Ayman @ May 16th 2008 1:14AM]

Haven't Third World Countries Suffered Enough
They will see first hand a 'WINDOWS CRASH ERROR"

[tyrax @ May 15th 2008 8:14PM]

Sweet, an inexpensive tablet pc

[dj-kenpo @ May 15th 2008 9:27PM]

it's not a touch screen

[austin @ May 15th 2008 9:48PM]

why did you even think of that?

[Juaquin @ May 15th 2008 8:15PM]

I prefer Windows myself, but it's sad to see such a great project like this be sidetracked by Microsoft having to force its corporate greed into the action - sure, they may not make a lot of money off this specific deal, but if everyone learns on Windows they're more likely to use/buy it later on.

I just don't think Windows is necessary for something like this - it's for kids to learn to use computers, to do basic word-processing and "educational" games, and maybe a little scripting - it doesn't need XP, nor are there any advantages to having XP besides Microsoft getting them while they're young. Don't fix it if it isn't broken.

[Low Ranked @ May 15th 2008 8:19PM]

You're not suggesting tormenting these poor children with Vista are you?

[nate @ May 15th 2008 10:11PM]

no, of course he's not...
where the heck did you get that idea?

[ByronGman @ May 15th 2008 10:59PM]

Of course, if Apple did this, it would be from the bottom of their f*cking hearts wouldn't it? Nooooo way that would be a "greedy" attempt to undercut competitors in developing nations.....

It is sad how anything that a big company like MS does is portrayed as brainwashing or evil. Frankly, I can't think of anything better than for lots of people in developing countries to be using whatever OS most of us, use.... WINDOWS! Why do they have to have some crippled version OS to "learn off" rather than the full thing? Heck maybe a lot of kids will "just being learning off these" like you say, but then what? Maybe some of them want to go further, why should they be limited like that? I know the hardware itself is limited, but why constraint it even further???

You could very well say the same thing with OS X, since that is a very capable platform that many people use. I don't really care who is doing it, but when you decide that just because it is MS taking the initiative to help equalize global divisions (even if they are expanding their future base off of this) other people should have less than you are just a jerk.

[Phoenix @ May 16th 2008 6:15AM]

Actually, Steve Jobs offered them OS X for free. They rejected it because it as closed source. And NOW the go to XP. Fucking hypocrites.

As much as I personally prefer Windows, OS X is better for this kind of thing.

[Shadow08 @ May 16th 2008 8:12AM]

Phoenix, where did you read that?
Also, I hope you realize that Steve wasn't doing that from the bottom of his heart either. He was doing it to promote and expand OS X to get a larger install base and head start in developing countries.

And exactly how is OS X better? If you need a $1000 computer to run it at the bare minimum, how the heck was that going to work for these?
Also, Apple will never put OS X on anything that wasn't made by apple.

[Phoenix @ May 16th 2008 8:48AM]

It was on Engadget.

And the reason I'm saying it's better than XP for this type of thing is because its easier to use for people who aren't "power users" than XP. And it's not like they're going to be adding third-party apps and games in the developing world.

http://education.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1027485%3ABlogPost%3A32732
"Interestingly, Steve Jobs had offered Mac OS X free of charge for use in the OLPC program but the offer was declined."

That's the most... reputable source I can find, but it was certainly on an article on Engadget.

In pretty much every article about the OLPC and Windows on Engadget someone mentions it

[rip @ May 16th 2008 3:42PM]

@ Shadow:

Well considering a version of osx runs on the iPhone, you definitely do NOT need a 1000 dollar computer to run it.

And if it does run on the iPhone, it seems well suited for the olpc.

[JB87 @ May 15th 2008 8:16PM]

God forbid they learn how to use the OS that most of the world does.

[Owen @ May 15th 2008 8:55PM]

IT professionals are objective use the best tool for the job. Linux is the best tool for the job in a circumstance where you want a customisable (kids don't want a start bar? They don't have to have one!), free (as in beer, and as in freedom, good for people who HAVE NO MONEY), light-weight (min. sys. requirements of Linux vs Windows? already they've had to include extra storage in the OLPC just to fit XP), open (maybe kids can learn to write their own software, and hey look, an entire operating system's worth of code is already there to learn from), robust (have you ever tried to run Windows with no swap file?), technologically advanced (automated mesh WiFi networking anyone? Does XP support this? - no)

In short, this is just Microsoft sticking their grubby fingers into everything yet again. They know that Linux is better for this task, and that's exactly why they've had to push so hard to get XP onto the OLPC.

[Chip @ May 15th 2008 8:55PM]

Amen. I've got an XO and I've played with Sugar. Ok, "played" isn't correct. I've installed Opera, Flash etc from command line. It ain't fun. I'm not impressed at all. Here's my reasoning:
1. When these kids visit civilization, it won't be run on Linux/Sugar
2. Think WinXP is tough, try teaching a kid CLI and YUMing. Now multiply that teaching by 100 kids.
3. Before I put my XO away, the WiFi was lame (no good WAP support) and mesh was worthless in urbia.
4. There are ooodles more apps and games for WinXP than Linux/Sugar.

[Owen @ May 16th 2008 12:28AM]

The only reason you had difficulty with the command line was because your computer usage habits typically only involve clicking on dialogues.

If you had learnt from the start to be "multi-talented" with respect to entering commands into a computer (via keyboard, mouse, GUI or commandline) then it would have been a non-issue.

In short, you don't know how to use a command line, and that's fair enough. But what you're assuming is that using the command line is hard. It isn't, it's just different. An alternative.

[Low Ranked @ May 15th 2008 8:18PM]

I think the some of the countries these are going to would benefit more-so from clean-water supply, food, and protected sex than a laptop.

[andres @ May 15th 2008 8:27PM]

but how would they read your comment?

[lowbot @ May 15th 2008 11:24PM]

Why dont you bother reading about the olpc project before criticizing it?

First off, these are sold to developing countries like Brazil and Libya, not the Congo. These countries (if youve ever traveled outside the US, you might know this) have food and water, but see an attractive opportunity here to do something novel with their educational system.

Personally I welcome windows to the olpc. These kids dont need to be put into a tech ghetto with linux and the administrators of these education programs should make all configuration decisions. They shouldnt feel threatened by either the OSS or Redmond crowd. They should pick the best tool for the job. Of course the OS holy warriors cant stand choice.

[aDancingHobo @ May 15th 2008 8:21PM]

My thoughts? The whole world? Neat website? I'll take two!

[Garret @ May 15th 2008 8:37PM]

So, this may be the cheap e-book reader I've been waiting for? The Sony & Kindle are still so pricey, but the technology for the OLPC e-book mode sounds pretty promising. Putting Windows on it could put it over the top. Wonder what it will do to the pricing....

[dwr50 @ May 15th 2008 8:49PM]

dwr50 say:
Greed is the CAUSE...
Advertising is the EFFECT...
Open Source is the ANSWER... Amen.

[MeatyPi @ May 15th 2008 9:12PM]

is there a reason why you have posted this in multiple articles?

[Mark.Nine @ May 15th 2008 10:23PM]

The word of the Lord..

[Chip @ May 15th 2008 11:11PM]

Chip say:
Competition is the CAUSE...
Value is the EFFECT...
STFU is the ANSWER... Amen.

Now quit spamming

[Kaminix @ May 15th 2008 11:49PM]

Chip:
Yes, just see what competition did to Vista.
That's one hell of an OS!


Or was that OS of hell? Meh

[PhunkyDork @ May 15th 2008 8:52PM]

Am I the only one that is interested in getting Windows XP to boot off of an SD card? Why isn't there a way for me to use this when I'm trying to fix my clients' FUBARed PCs?

[hooeezit @ May 15th 2008 10:22PM]

Look up BartPE. I haven't put BartPE on a usb flash drive yet, but I know it's been done. I'll be building a usb flash drive version in a few weeks and will blog about it, so if you are still empty handed in 1.5 months, run another google search and you should be able to find my post.

[dj-kenpo @ May 15th 2008 10:32PM]

you can do that. tons of ee pc owners have....

[Loonie @ May 15th 2008 8:52PM]

Ugh.

[Jon @ May 15th 2008 8:55PM]

FAIL.

[YoMomma @ May 15th 2008 9:23PM]

FAIL

[austin @ May 15th 2008 9:51PM]

two fails make a WIN

[YoMomma @ May 15th 2008 8:53PM]

this is great, i mean some of these kids might end up working at a job where computer knowledge is required. And many of the computers they will work will have Windows XP or Vista. I can tell that because i've been to some third world countries.

[Itsuru @ May 15th 2008 9:04PM]

It warms my heart to know children all over the world are to discover Microsoft Sam and forever enjoy vocalised obscenities from a computer.

[Alex Linhares @ May 15th 2008 9:17PM]

Microsoft: what do you want to corrupt today?

[Adrian Williams @ May 15th 2008 9:25PM]

Why is this so bad

[dj-kenpo @ May 15th 2008 10:34PM]

because it doesn't fit the situation in anyway. xp doesn;t come with the sort of software that would make this laptop useful...
too hard to explain. if you put the 2 versions next to each other you'd know right away. having played with one at work.
it's not for you or me, and you have to kep that in mind.

[Chip @ May 15th 2008 11:23PM]

I have the XO and of course WinXP.
What do you mean XP doesn't come with useful software? Heck and if you don't find it useful, download any of the ubermillions of apps and games for it. Granted, the XO comes with a few apps that are kinda cool, but some aren't ready for primetime. The browser sucks and doesn't even have flash. Full touchpad is disabled for most everything. No touch click. WAP doesn't even work right.

For those equating MS to greed, wake up. MS is selling. NickNeg is buying. If you had a widget to sell would you really NOT sell it to benefit kids? MS is dang near GIVING XP away so OLPC has a choice for their customers. Choice always benefits the consumer. I'd also love to see OSx or even full Ubuntu on my XO.

[Whiskey @ May 17th 2008 1:03AM]

You download tons of programs that make it useful... and take lots and lots of space and computing cycles ... this is a low power pc (a lower power pc?) Take the equivalent hardware and try to install Windows and Office 2003... How much space is it there? Can you safely install more software to it?

It's safe to assume that this is an issue simply because (and i know you remember) this was an issue six years ago with six years old (or even more) hardware.

Linux was the alternative because not only there are tons of apps for Linux that work quite well with even older or more limited hardware, but because, given the nature of the project, there could have been tons more.

Affordable Software != Free Software

[Alex Linhares @ May 15th 2008 9:26PM]

The guy on the vid is Borat's gay cousin.

[Christian Walters @ May 15th 2008 9:38PM]

Linux leads to anger...
anger leads you to going back to Windows...
Windows...LEADS TO SUFFERING!!

[Mathew @ May 15th 2008 10:12PM]

Does nobody stop and think about the repercussions this will have on the world. The people this laptop will be distributed to are poor, (dirt poor to be exact) what are they going to use these laptops for? To pay for their XBOX live subscription or maybe to pay their car payment? NO they will begin to use this as a tool to scam people, to write viruses, to maliciously attack companies to try to get something because they have nothing. Look at it this way if you were to put a loaf of bread in front of a starving child and look away for a minute you should expect to turn around and not see the bread. This is the same thing, this is only going to unleash a whole new world of chaos on the internet. How about we take the money were spending on this and buy them some food? or how about build them a school? so that maybe one day they can build their own internet?

Just my .02 cents.