$100 Laptop Launches in 2007
January 11th, 2007
According to BBC News, the first batch of computers built for the One Laptop Per Child project could reach users by July this year.
The scheme is hoping to put laptop computers into the hands of people in developing countries for as little as $100.
Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan, Thailand and Rwanda are among the first countries to sign up to buy the machine.
Though not everyone is convinced of the idea (Bill Gates being among its most vocal detractors), I certainly applaud Mr. Negroponte’s efforts to bring technology to the developing world. It’s an example many more in the business industry could and should follow.
To learn more, check out the frequently asked questions on the OLPC website.
January 12th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Shouldn’t we focus on clean water supplies, immunization, and fighting diseases? I understand the need for economic development, but $100 could be put to much better use.
January 12th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
i understand your concerns, and i agree with your sentiments to a point. i too worry that for people without the most basic necessities — food, water, health care — access to the internet probably isn’t of much value. on the other hand, access to the world community, participation in a global economic and political forum and getting in on the flattening of the world (as thomas friedman might describe it) will be critical to allowing people in developing economies to progress to a point where they are on equal footing with those of us in the west.
the $100 laptop isn’t where i might have started, but i won’t denegrate negroponte for following his vision.
January 13th, 2007 at 4:56 am
I hear you, and thanks for respnding to my post. If you haven’t read it yet, check out “The End of Poverty” by Jeffrey Sachs. He has some great ideas for helping third world countries with viable solutions.
Keep up the good blog.
January 13th, 2007 at 10:00 am
thanks so much! i actually have read jeffrey sachs’ book, and i really loved it… there’s another group sponsored by world vision called “Y-Malawi” that’s doing a similar model to jeffrey sachs’ village projects… perhaps i’ll try to post on them soon!