tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506995090336963455.post5218648815491074220..comments2023-03-21T05:49:21.694-04:00Comments on Seeking Avalon: OLPC XO -2Avalon's Willowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539301720154191607noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506995090336963455.post-38398898615128071422008-05-25T23:00:00.000-04:002008-05-25T23:00:00.000-04:00One thing that I always find when folks say, "What...One thing that I always find when folks say, "What these folks need..." to shoot something down, is that they're not doing much to support either the idea they're shooting down, or the "alternative" they're offering.<BR/><BR/>In other words, it's a cover for simply verbally shooting it down. What a lot of folks need is a lot of things, and there's this fascinating belief that by attempting to provide for one need, you are, somehow, preventing the other from happening at the same time.<BR/><BR/>Tech geeks want to help folks get information via tech methods? Good! Eco geeks want to help folks get sustainable and healthier food/water options? Good! Etc. <BR/><BR/>Odds are pretty good that folks interesting in supporting in one way may not do anything in the other - maybe due to expertise, but more likely due to enthusiasm.<BR/><BR/>And, interestingly enough, as we come closer to reaching a post-oil society, we might need folks who are operating from a non-industrial base to develop means of organizing and maintaining computer networks to show us how to deal with what's coming.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506995090336963455.post-22292854647667587122008-05-25T20:51:00.000-04:002008-05-25T20:51:00.000-04:00ETA / CHI:Damn it.The only thing I think the lapto...ETA / CHI:<BR/><BR/>Damn it.<BR/><BR/>The only thing I think the laptops are not as important as - are clinics.<BR/><BR/>Stupid double negative haunting me forever and ever.Avalon's Willowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07539301720154191607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506995090336963455.post-43171415682288817502008-05-25T20:49:00.000-04:002008-05-25T20:49:00.000-04:00Chi:I don't know how familiar you are with the goa...<STRONG>Chi:</STRONG><BR/><BR/>I don't know how familiar you are with the goals, or at least the original goals of the OLPC organization (pre Microsoft partner)<BR/><BR/>It was about creating local networks of student to teacher, and student to student; with a main server in the area holding online dictionaries and textbook files etc as needed.<BR/><BR/>The comptuers were(are) built to be able to handle being knocked around, mud, water, dirt, etc. The first set also had a crank to generate the power for the battery.<BR/><BR/>I'm not counting the program as the end all be all ultimate solution to anything. I am saying that individuals who look at the program and talk about things in terms of <EM>'what <STRONG>those countries really need</STRONG> is water filters and food'</EM> are stuck in a particular mentality.<BR/><BR/>Nations of the 'third world', underdeveloped nations aren't all one type and aren't all on one level of things that can move them as a nation, forward. Perhaps we would agree on that point.<BR/><BR/>I personally think the laptops are as important as the programs that help various women in certain countries (I primarily know about India) start their own businesses or or earn some tiny profit from their homestead yield.<BR/><BR/>I think the laptops are as important as programs contributing rice and programs contributing animals for husbandry or butchering.<BR/><BR/>The only thing I don't think the laptops are not as important as, are programs that help establish local clinics with local doctors in areas where to reach a doctor is an all day trip and then some, combined with waiting once you get there.<BR/><BR/>OLPC, is to me, a symbol and a product that involves more than lip service to helping certain countries. It's something that's taking a step towards minimizing the gap to <EM>get</EM> an education.<BR/><BR/>Do I think it's perfect - no. I have my own issues with what is being deemed necessary software and whether or not there's comprehension that in a lot of places those children will never be allowed to take the product home to perhaps endanger it.<BR/><BR/>But I truly believe that, keeping the price down, these laptops are a good thing, this concept is a good thing. <BR/><BR/>So we'll have to agree to disagree. <BR/><BR/>I do apologise if I offended. Because I can't know what countries I haven't lived in and don't have relatives in, really need. I can't know because I don't have a local perspective. The bulk of my ire is for those treating the program as if the <EM>only</EM> thing those OTHERS, those countries, those people who are not them, could <EM>ever</EM> need, is water and food; Because somehow computers and technology are and will be beyond them.<BR/><BR/>And that pisses me off.Avalon's Willowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07539301720154191607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506995090336963455.post-91956829695960411962008-05-25T20:13:00.000-04:002008-05-25T20:13:00.000-04:00Let me give you some perspective on that.I also ha...Let me give you some perspective on that.<BR/><BR/>I also happened to grow up in a developing country.Nigeria,to be exact(in Africa for the geographically challenged).My mother was a primary school teacher,my father was only sporadically employed.I spent my childhood in Lagos and my high school years split between boarding school and my uncle's house(very rural homestead in the East of the country,surrounded by farmland)because he was paying for my education.Boiling drinking water?Who would pay for the firewood?Another uncle paid for my college education.I used my first computer when I was twentyish,I owned my first computer(a notebook) at twenty five(It was a gift). I'm waving the bloody shirt here to demonstrate that I might just have the personal experience to know what I'm talking about.<BR/><BR/>There is little in the way of infrastructure for mainaining these things.Internet connectivity?Forget it.Mobile phones are only now becoming widespread and there are still areas of the country with no telecoms coverage.Plus the service is still iffy.Things are changing rapidly,but not THAT rapidly.<BR/><BR/>Add the fact that people are reluctant to hand over control of expensive items to children(and at current pricing,it costs about 20% of a Nigerian's per capita earnings circa 2007).<BR/><BR/>I agree we don't need water filters and food;in an emergency,fine,but that's no way to grow a nation.I agree we should be teaching people to fish not handing them fish.I just don't see this project as a cost effective means of doing so.<BR/><BR/>Given some of the problems I've witnessed concerning students and basic literacy,I can think of much more cost effective ways to spend $100 million(the sum elements of the Nigerian govt were considering spending).<BR/><BR/>/Rant off.<BR/><BR/>PS Most of what I said was specific to Nigeria.I suspect that a lot of the same problems will be found in other third world countries.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506995090336963455.post-33102579460849262772008-05-25T11:36:00.000-04:002008-05-25T11:36:00.000-04:00This is fantastic! A few months ago I saw the orig...This is fantastic! A few months ago I saw the original Give One, Get One computers, and this is an amazing plan to improve what was already a great design. <BR/><BR/>I do see the potential problems with the difference between typing on a keyboard and typing on a touch screen, but I'm sure there could be a training program on the laptop in which the "keys" could light up when struck correctly - like the ones you see on music keyboards. Once a kid is typing well, it could be turned off. The ergonomics might be an issue, but then maybe it makes a difference that less force would be needed per "keystroke" than on a standard keyboard... and I'm sure this is stuff they've thought of. <BR/><BR/>And yeah regarding the bullshit some people are spouting. We live in an information age and IT/communications technology is becoming a prerequisite...Angeline B. Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09193387146888000794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506995090336963455.post-12885181460795273462008-05-25T00:33:00.000-04:002008-05-25T00:33:00.000-04:00Education IS everything! *nods* It is SO very imp...Education IS everything! *nods* It is SO very important.<BR/><BR/>I dun have nething to add... you said everything amazingly. :D<BR/><BR/>*hugs* :]Ami Angelwingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07263018434610100226noreply@blogger.com