Full FeedDvorak gets hammered over One Laptop Per Child views
No sooner than the XO-1 (OLPC) laptops started shipping then people are arguing the merits of the scheme.
Specifically US opinionated journalist John Dvorak, who has dismissed the laptop as a “little green computer that changes nothing” and argues that sending food would be better. Obviously he has never heard of the “Give a man a fish you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for life” parable!
I just love this quote from Bill Thompson:
Perhaps Dvorak’s just afraid that a Nigerian school child, empowered by the technology entrusted to them, will take him to task for his patronizing attitude, or perhaps even turn out to be a better journalist.
The project has enough issues with the Nigerian government still not sure whether to fund it, Intel and Microsoft offering cut-price hardware and discount operating systems in an attempt to keep this remarkable machine, with its Linux operating system and AMD processor at bay, so the last thing the project needs is someone like Dvorak making his typically ignorant opinions!
Via [BBC]
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I am continually amazed by the number of people who behave as though taking steps to boost educational opportunities in developing countries, and sending food to people who are in dire need, are two mutually exclusive propositions.
XOs aren’t being targeted at communities where people are in imminent danger of starvation. Obviously, in the places stricken by famine, food is the most immediate need.
However, for the people whose communities have sufficient food, but where education is sporadic at best, the educational system is what needs a boost. Those are the communities the XO was conceived for. I commend the people who devised the OLPC initiative for thinking WAY outside the box in trying to provide new educational tools and increase both literacy, and computer literacy, in areas that desperately need it.
Education is the best way I know of to break the cycle of poverty. The XO isn’t supposed to change the world—it’s just a tool. The teachers and students using it, on the other hand, do have the ability to effect tremendous change in the world.
on December 14, 2007 at 09:31 PM - LINKAs I read your article, the door bell rings and presto the two OLPC have arrived!!!
First look and I’d say they are wonderful, and represent “killer hardware” that will change the nature of the laptops for ALL.
The establishment will take note.
I cannot wait to put these in the hands of my grandchildren and just watch what will happen.
John
on December 19, 2007 at 02:21 AM - LINKAZ USA