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story category $100 Laptop
Is it all that it's 'cranked' up to be?
(old news - 11:19AM Saturday Dec 10 2005)
tags: hardware · world
Intel's chairman Craig Barrett says that potential computer users in the developing world will not want a basic $100 hand-cranked laptop due to be rolled out to millions (Reuters). "The problem is that gadgets ($100 Laptops) have not been successful," said Barrett. Schoolchildren in Brazil, Thailand, Egypt and Nigeria will begin receiving the first few million textbook style computers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) media lab run by Nicholas Negroponte from early 2006. United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has welcomed the development of the small, hand-cranked lime-green devices, which can set up their own wireless networks and are intended to bring computer access to areas that lack reliable electricity.

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TK Junk Mail
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Margate City, NJ
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I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CPU

I'm just guessing now. But I'd be willing to bet a lot of money that the $100 laptop doesn't have an Intel processor. I don't agree with the Intel chairman's assessment of why the $100 laptop is a bad idea. But that doesn't mean I agree that the best use of UN and developing nations money is in the purchase of laptops for disadvantaged regions. That money can be better spent on improving agriculture, healthcare, etc.
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CPM

join:2001-08-24
Miami, FL

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CPU

I agree $100.00 can by a lot of rice and condoms.
jebba2005

join:2005-01-13
Portland, ME

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

how will it work in 110 degree heat?
dave
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not in ohio
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by jebba2005 See Profile :

how will it work in 110 degree heat?
No problem there, only the US has 110 degree heat.

(The rest of the world calls it 43, but the US is kinda backwards on measuring things).

morbo
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CPU

said by CPM See Profile :

I agree $100.00 can by a lot of rice and condoms.
emphasis on the condom part
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Asmodeus1

join:2004-05-26
Spring Valley, CA

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

most 3rd worlders don't even use condoms much less know what a condom is...

reub2000
Premium
join:2001-12-28
Evanston, IL

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by Asmodeus1 See Profile :

most 3rd worlders don't even use condoms much less know what a condom is...
They can now google or wiki it on their new laptop.

The Next Step

@verizon.ne

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

But they don't have Internet connectivity. Oh, wait, that'll be the next U.N. project: provide access to the Internet to all citizens of the third world. The U.N. does a piss-poor job of fixing third world problems partly because it's dominated by the "leaders" of those countries who are largely responsible for the problems in the first place.

Until we get past the jealousy and finger-pointing about whose blame third-world poverty is and get people to start accepting responsibility for their own problems, it'll never change. In the meantime, let's keep handing out free notebook computers to people who don't have the energy to turn the crank because they don't have enough to eat. That may not really improve their situation, but it'll make some people in the western countries feel less guilty about being better off.

jap
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038xx
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said by Asmodeus1 See Profile :

most 3rd worlders don't even use condoms much less know what a condom is..
Ignorant statement that.

A safer statement would be "most first worlders don't know the first fucking thing about the lives of most third-worlders".

And, in this case, the f-word plays a nice dual role.

LinuxJunkie

join:2005-01-19
Cyberspace

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

And they know everything about us? That's what you're implying and that's also ignorant.

jap
Premium
join:2003-08-10
038xx
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by LinuxJunkie See Profile :

That's what you're implying
I am?

I defy you to explain the implication you accuse me of. It's simply not there.

tapeloop
Triceratops - 130 dollars per bbl
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Airstrip One

said by Asmodeus1 See Profile :

most 3rd worlders don't even use condoms much less know what a condom is...
Funny that you can say the same thing about a lot of first world Mormons and Catholics too.
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TK Junk Mail
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by tapeloop See Profile :

Funny that you can say the same thing about a lot of first world Mormons and Catholics too.
In a survey conducted by US Catholic, 81 percent of Catholics believe a married couple has the right to follow their own conscience on the decision to use birth control.
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dave
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

This would be the same Intel that has convinced most people that they need (Intel) CPUs in the 2-to-3 GHz range for adequate web access, right?
WareWolF2k

join:2000-11-14
Allentown, PA

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by dave See Profile :

This would be the same Intel that has convinced most people that they need (Intel) CPUs in the 2-to-3 GHz range for adequate web access, right?
Thanks to microsoft & symantec, they do!

novaflare
The Dragon Was Here
Premium
join:2002-01-24
Barberton, OH

said by dave See Profile :

This would be the same Intel that has convinced most people that they need (Intel) CPUs in the 2-to-3 GHz range for adequate web access, right?
Lol dave and so true. Look at the specs on compaq computers 3 ghz cpu 256 megs ram and no vid card listed. No vid listed because it uses on board vid totaling as high as 32 megs some times. Essentialy you got hugely fast and powerful cpus (arguably) but can never hope to make use of it all. Dell gateway and other big names are no better. Many are useing sub 60 gig hds still. I can legaly fill a 60 gig hd up in a few days. Computer market for off the shelf computers these days is over priced under powered (do to mis matched specs) door stops.....
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reub2000
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by novaflare See Profile :

said by dave See Profile :

This would be the same Intel that has convinced most people that they need (Intel) CPUs in the 2-to-3 GHz range for adequate web access, right?
Lol dave and so true. Look at the specs on compaq computers 3 ghz cpu 256 megs ram and no vid card listed. No vid listed because it uses on board vid totaling as high as 32 megs some times. Essentialy you got hugely fast and powerful cpus (arguably) but can never hope to make use of it all. Dell gateway and other big names are no better. Many are useing sub 60 gig hds still. I can legaly fill a 60 gig hd up in a few days. Computer market for off the shelf computers these days is over priced under powered (do to mis matched specs) door stops.....
It's not just gamers who need power. A high end CPU is not hindered in non-graphic intensive applications by an intergrated video card. Stuff like compiling applicatons and transcoding video are perfect examples.

Speedy8
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by reub2000 See Profile :

said by novaflare See Profile :

said by dave See Profile :

This would be the same Intel that has convinced most people that they need (Intel) CPUs in the 2-to-3 GHz range for adequate web access, right?
Lol dave and so true. Look at the specs on compaq computers 3 ghz cpu 256 megs ram and no vid card listed. No vid listed because it uses on board vid totaling as high as 32 megs some times. Essentialy you got hugely fast and powerful cpus (arguably) but can never hope to make use of it all. Dell gateway and other big names are no better. Many are useing sub 60 gig hds still. I can legaly fill a 60 gig hd up in a few days. Computer market for off the shelf computers these days is over priced under powered (do to mis matched specs) door stops.....
It's not just gamers who need power. A high end CPU is not hindered in non-graphic intensive applications by an intergrated video card. Stuff like compiling applicatons and transcoding video are perfect examples.
I think the main problem is the low amount of ram. I mean seriously, an average user with an older 1.8ghz P4 with a gig of ram will probably have a lot better experience than one with a 3ghz p4 and only 256MB of ram.

hamburglar_

join:2002-04-29
Columbus, OH
·WOW Internet and C..

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CPU

...and infrastructure, maybe?

"are intended to bring computer access to areas that lack reliable electricity"

They are putting the cart before the horse. What good is a laptop if you barely even have shelter to keep it from getting wet in the rain?
dave
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by hamburglar_ See Profile :

(..) if you barely even have shelter to keep it from getting wet in the rain?
Where the hell did you get that from?

cdigioia
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by dave See Profile :

said by hamburglar_ See Profile :

(..) if you barely even have shelter to keep it from getting wet in the rain?
Where the hell did you get that from?
They're just saying that 3rd world countries have much more basic/important things to take care of, long before laptops.

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

You've obviously never lived in a 3rd world country.

I'll forgive you. Most Americans figure anywhere outside of the USA, Europe and parts of Asia are uncivilized.

cdigioia
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

Well using a subjective word like uncivilized, being snide, and making sweeping statements about Americans I don't think will particularly educate anyone.

I think it depends on which developing nation one is talking about. The nations mentioned as the 1st to receive this are quite well setup already, which is probably why they are the first, as they are the easiest in which to implement the idea.

But the nations that need assistance the most, (think much of Africa) often have very high HIV infection rates and very low levels of capital investment, including such basic things as paved roadways. As such, the nations that need assistance the most, are going to be the ones that can make the least use of such a laptop.

I would imagine it would be much more beneficial for many nations, African especially, to have for instance, US farm subsidies done away first, so that the farmers can better compete and better provide for a basic economy.

We're not talking about there being a problem shipping laptops to Mexico or Argentina. I think the point is that there won't be the infrastructure to support these laptops in the nations which need help the most.

JesusHChrist

@proxyweb.net

Fucking moderators. Enjoy the left side of the asile

Dave, if for some crazy reason this appears, it has nothing to do with you. Just some liberal tightass who can't stand to hear an opposing view.

kamm

join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

There are plenty of other programs for healthcare and such.

G_Poobah

join:2004-01-17
Schenectady, NY

Keep em dumb, keep em ignorant, that's the way to win. Why waste money on something that will allow them to raise their quality of life. Stuff like medical books, or agricultural books, or even cheap laptops are wasted on 'those people of disadvantaged reasons'. Spend the money on rice, you can always withhold the food if they start to act up or complain about living conditions. God forbid the 'disadvantaged regions' should access modern information, or use a product in a manner that we, the all powerful leaders, don't see fit. We need to control everything they do, and not give them the tools to think for themselves. That's how revolutions start, and that would be a bad thing for those in power. The **AA's realize this, and so do the would be baby doc duvaliers and his retire-rich cronies.
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edit:
December 10th, @12:33PM

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

I think you left out the
<sarcasm on>
and
<sarcasm off>

Tags?
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dvd536
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said by G_Poobah See Profile :

Keep em dumb, keep em ignorant, that's the way to win. Why waste money on something that will allow them to raise their quality of life. Stuff like medical books, or agricultural books, or even cheap laptops are wasted on 'those people of disadvantaged reasons'. Spend the money on rice, you can always withhold the food if they start to act up or complain about living conditions. God forbid the 'disadvantaged regions' should access modern information, or use a product in a manner that we, the all powerful leaders, don't see fit. We need to control everything they do, and not give them the tools to think for themselves. That's how revolutions start, and that would be a bad thing for those in power. The **AA's realize this, and so do the would be baby doc duvaliers and his retire-rich cronies.
Thats a fine attitude until we help make them smart and then OUR jobs go over there to people that can do them as well as us but get paid like $3.50 a day.
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tapeloop
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by dvd536 See Profile :

Thats a fine attitude until we help make them smart and then OUR jobs go over there to people that can do them as well as us but get paid like $3.50 a day.
Hate to break it you kid, but that's been happening for quite some time now. Guess we should make ourselves smart...?
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edit:
December 10th, @03:00PM

said by G_Poobah See Profile :

Keep em dumb, keep em ignorant, that's the way to win.
Cause, as we all know, laptops are the only way to learn anything.

I mean, when you're starving to death and about to die of Malaria, it'll really help out if you can order a Papa Johns and look up the drugs you can't get on WebMD.

PS: before you go into another raving rant about the **AA's and keeping the rest of the world ignorant let me point out 2 things:
1. 100$ goes a lot further in other countries than it does in the developed world...even further if you give it to someone who knows how to get others on board his mission.
2. 100$ worth of books are less fragile and can be easily passed from person to person potentially bringing knowledge to thousands of people. (Not to mention books don't need to find net access to be useful)
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Fatal Vector

join:2005-11-26

Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP


Not to mention that, if the area has no electricity, where the hell are they going to get net access? That can be controlled by the government. Install a satellite station...that needs electricity, maintenance and, can be controlled by the government?

And, the thing looks...wellll creepy. All puke green and all. Looks like a childs toy. Jeez what a waste of money. But then, they are just trying to get away from the food for oil scandal. It all SOUNDS good and all, but implimenting it is where the failure will come.

John Galt
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by Fatal Vector See Profile :

Not to mention that, if the area has no electricity, where the hell are they going to get net access? That can be controlled by the government. Install a satellite station...that needs electricity, maintenance and, can be controlled by the government?
It is all being done at this very instant.
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kamm

join:2001-02-14
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said by Fatal Vector See Profile :

Not to mention that, if the area has no electricity, where the hell are they going to get net access? That can be controlled by the government. Install a satellite station...that needs electricity, maintenance and, can be controlled by the government?

And, the thing looks...wellll creepy. All puke green and all. Looks like a childs toy. Jeez what a waste of money. But then, they are just trying to get away from the food for oil scandal. It all SOUNDS good and all, but implimenting it is where the failure will come.
You guys are really pathtetic, seriously. What's up, are you scared of another 400M+ kid willb e smarter than you maybe?

LOsErLuKiN

join:2004-01-18
Brooklyn, NY
Hand-cranked? I'm scared.

MsGeek
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Re: I'll bet the $100 laptop doesn't have Intel CP

said by LOsErLuKiN See Profile :

Hand-cranked? I'm scared.
Nothing to be afraid of. Hell, I want one of these. I want a power supply mod that will give me this capability with my existing lappies.

Imagine if you are running low on battery power and you are in a public park...with WiFi...and there's no place to plug in? Get the crank out. Apply elbow grease for 10 minutes, and you're back surfing the web.

As they say in Japan...sugoi, neh?

Negroponte is talking about selling these puppies in the First World for $200 or thereabouts to make the project self-supporting. It might not be the latest and greatest ThinkPad or aluminum Powerbook but it wouldn't be a half bad PDA replacement.

And yes! It runs Linux! w00t.
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upidstay

@bellsouth.net
As long as the money to fund the program isnt from U.S. taxpayer dollars, let them do whatever they want in those third world countries.

See 7 replies to this post
GDF_Slash

join:2003-11-07
Atlanta, GA
We should send the Intel Chairman to Cambodia or some other third world country for 10 years. I'm sure that will make him rethink his statement he made.

seaquake
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What the heck....

Let them try it out. If it takes off, good for them. If it doesn't, then they should have done their homework better....
fdaiz

join:2005-09-30

Re: What the heck....

Agreed

laptopdance

@bellsouth.net

Will it have Windows?

Considering how expensive Microsoft software is. I recall a story once about Microsoft being worried about increasing use of Linux in Latin America. Windows was so costly that schools and even governments began switching over to Linux. Think of the possibilites, disadvantaged children recompiling kernels and using Debian and Mandrake Linux, when a LOT of people in our Western society cant even navigate to the Control Panel. And on top of that many third world countries (particularly Asian ones) have much faster broadband access than we do.

reub2000
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Evanston, IL

Re: Will it have Windows?

1. It's using free (as in speech) software.
2. I'm guessing their using a preinstalled binary distro
3. Richer asian countries (aka Japan) have fast broadband). I'm not so sure about Bangladesh.

kamm

join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
It gets linux installed with all the non-MS free softwares (like OpenOffice etc).

2kmaro
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I'll Take a DOZEN!

No use for them? If I can figure a way to power them without having to hand-crank all the time, I'll take a dozen and put them to work for:
Team Discovery
SETI @ Home
Folding @ Home
and maybe even some of our other worthwhile distributed computing projects!
--
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See 27 replies to this post
nasadude

join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD

i'll bet that laptop doesn't have windows either

nuff said
Andromeda451

join:2004-04-08
Queen Creek, AZ

100$ computers???

having the UN run this will assure that the pcs never get into the hands of those most deserving. Anyone remember the "oil for food" debacle still unfolding with our buddy "Koffee Kup Anan"?

JokerCPoC

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Re: 100$ computers??? It's $100, Not 100$

said by Andromeda451 See Profile :

having the UN run this will assure that the pcs never get into the hands of those most deserving. Anyone remember the "oil for food" debacle still unfolding with our buddy "Koffee Kup Anan"?
Excuse Me, But there's no such thing as 100$. It's $100 as that is the proper placement of the $ symbol, By US federal law the dollar sign goes to the left of the amount(It's been that way since before I was born), Not to the right, that is where the cent sign went, No flame meant, Just pointing out what may not be obvious.
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idlewillkill
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Re: 100$ computers??? It's $100, Not 100$

»www2.canoe.com/infos/quebeccanad···600.html - "Harper promet 1200$ par an aux parents"
»www2.canoe.com/infos/societe/arc···500.html - "Laisse pour mort, il poursuit pour 1,2 M$"

Just because it isn't used in America, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Just pointing out what should be obvious.

JokerCPoC

join:2005-11-21
Yermo, CA

Re: 100$ computers??? It's $100, Not 100$

Well If It's not on the left, It's not US currency.

Ionut

join:2001-05-31
Cleveland, OH
There are countries that add the symbols after the number/s. 100$ or $100 it is still the same amount.

milnoc

join:2001-03-05
H2Z
·TekSavvy Solutions..


edit:
December 10th, @01:32PM

What other "gadgets" have presumably failed?

Craig Barrett hasn't named any of the other "gadgets" that have supposedly failed, making his statements questionable at the very least. I remember another hand-cranked "gadget" that was released many years ago, a hand-cranked radio developed by English inventor Trevor Baylis, originally created for the South African market where most townships have no fully developed electrical infrastructures, and where radio broadcasts were essential to disseminate critical health information such as AIDS.

The South Africans were hoarding and exchanging batteries like crazy trying to keep their radios running. When Baylis saw this, he thought there had to be a better solution. What came of this is the development of not only his hand-cranked radio, but also hand-cranked flashlights and generators. These devices have made a considerable difference in countries where electrical power was an unattainable luxury, yet information was essential for one's survival.

The hand-cranked laptop could be an essential extension to the dissemination of information. Even more so that this little "gadget" will allow the users to actively participate in the discussions, offering their own feedback to what is discussed. It wouldn't surprise me if most users of these laptops end up being adults who need to exchange vital information between themselves. The laptops are already designed to exchange information from one device to another via a mesh network (i.e. no central network infrastructure required), a fact that Barrett appears to have neglected to mention.

Barrett's comments sound more like the ramblings of a man who wants his corporation to prosper at the expense of human lives. As for those here who believe the money may be better spent on food and health care, the concern is reasonably justified. But imagine for a moment that information on these critical items are propagated across poor nations at lightning speed. In the case of medicine, it could mean the difference between a healthy individual and an individual who dies of a drug overdose.

And imagine for a moment what could happen in nations where dictatorships have impoverished the population. Imagine if that same population is made aware of what has been done to them and how they can change their lives for the better. Brutal dictatorships could crumble. Deadly rebellions could be stopped. Infant mortality rates could decrease. There are so many possibilities.

A $100 laptop that could change the world? I can believe that.
dave
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join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
·Verizon Online DSL


edit:
December 11th, @01:33PM

Re: What other "gadgets" have presumably failed?

The hand-cranked radio is alive and well, and sold in the new world.

»www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008···n=172282

(Edited: changed 'first world' to 'new world')

milnoc

join:2001-03-05
H2Z
·TekSavvy Solutions..


edit:
December 11th, @12:50PM

Re: What other "gadgets" have presumably failed?

For the real deal, go to »www.freeplayenergy.com .

EDIT: Just noticed that if you buy the Freeplay Lifeline model at »www.ccrane.com , they'll also donate one to the Freeplay Foundation which will then donate it to a needy child in a developing country. Could the same concept also work for the 100$ laptop? (note the position of the "$" )

TamaraB
Question The Current Paradigm
Premium
join:2000-11-08
Underway
·Verizon Online DSL

From MIT

»laptop.media.mit.edu/faq.html

Most of your questions are answered right there at MIT.

What is the $100 Laptop, really?
The proposed $100 machine will be a Linux-based, full-color, full-screen laptop that will use innovative power (including wind-up) and will be able to do most everything except store huge amounts of data. This rugged laptop will be WiFi-enabled and have USB ports galore. Its current specifications are: 500MHz, 1GB, 1 Megapixel.
[...]
What about connectivity? Aren't telecommunications services expensive in the developing world?
When these machines pop out of the box, they will make a mesh network of their own, peer-to-peer. This is something initially developed at MIT and the Media Lab. We are also exploring ways to connect them to the backbone of the Internet at very low cost.
[...]
How will these be marketed?
The idea is to distribute the machines through those ministries of education willing to adopt a policy of "One Laptop per Child." Initial discussions have been held with China, Brazil, Thailand, and Egypt. Additional countries will be selected for beta testing. Initial orders will be limited to a minimum of one million units (with appropriate financing).

One can understand why Intel and Microsoft would be upset. Get the third world computer savvy with Linux, on inexpensive hardware, and a huge potential market is cut from future sales. People tend to stick with the programs/OSs they first learn on.

Bob

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jester121

join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL

Re: From MIT

You said it, just me and my Apple IIe.

aliasrlz
Premium
join:2000-09-01
the world

What the hell is the hank crank for?

To start it and keep it running? WTF?

TamaraB
Question The Current Paradigm
Premium
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Underway
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: What the hell is the hank crank for?

said by aliasrlz See Profile :

To start it and keep it running? WTF?
It winds up a spring, which in turn runs a small generator/battery setup making it independent of a power infrastructure. Pretty spiffy concept actually.

Bob

--
Motor Vessel - Tamara B.
43' Long-Range Trawler
Cape Elizebeth ME.
See her Here.

aliasrlz
Premium
join:2000-09-01
the world

Re: What the hell is the hank crank for?

said by TamaraB See Profile :

said by aliasrlz See Profile :

To start it and keep it running? WTF?
It winds up a spring, which in turn runs a small generator/battery setup making it independent of a power infrastructure. Pretty spiffy concept actually.

Bob

That was my guess.... but can't actually believe a company would pursue a hand-cranked laptop...... If the poor person buying it had a $100, I'm sure they are thinking of 1000 other ways they could spend that money.......IMHO..