The so called $100 laptop is in the news again and the project seems to be taking off.
The project now has tentative commitments for three million computers and will begin large-scale manufacturing when it reaches five million with separate commitments from at least one country each in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Based on current negotiations, Mr. Negroponte says he expects that goal to be reached by mid-2007
The idea of laptops for poor kids has recieved withering criticism from bloggers (here and here)
I largely agree, when we can’t provide teachers and blackboards, the idea of laptops is utopian. Yeah, but so is spending thousands of crores on IITs (and building new ones) when we cant provide primary education to poor kids.
No?
On a sidenote, ancient computer?
Filed under: Public Policy
As an ex IITian, I will like to thanks you and all the readers of this blog for subsidizing my education then and my patrol now
I love socialism
About the side note, I sometimes can’t stop being amazed at the technology and philosophy that emanates from Pre-Christian Europe.
Dear Uncles and Aunts….
so mumbles the poor kid (Third world / BRIC)
what I primarily need is basics – three meals a day and a decent clothing. My parents work hard in the streets, in the fields,in the mines or beg. I love to go to the school n attend my classes, play with my friends – nukkad cricket, football in the dirty streets, Gilli dunda, etc ., return home tired and dirty. Then I sit near the failing light to do my homework, finish it fast so that I could help my mom. I want to become a doctor.I want to become a bus driver. I want to be….
If this is not possible, I dnot mind working during the day and go to school in the evening. I just want my parents to encourage me to learn and study on scholarships.
I dnot even mind attending my school under the tree, with a few sporadic blessings from the chirping birds.:-)
I want that NGO aunty to convince my parents to send me the school.if they are sending me, I want them to let me continue my studies without any break. I want my teacher to be regular and not lazy..:-)
what is laptop? when my parents are not able to manage their lives and not able to maintan my existence, how can I maintain this laptop? will it survive the dusty environment I live in….
-ever enthusiastic, never want to die a child. .:-)
sorry Poor child.
Rohit uncle thank you for giving me some space
I largely agree, when we can’t provide teachers and blackboards, the idea of laptops is utopian. Yeah, but so is spending thousands of crores on IITs (and building new ones) when we cant provide primary education to poor kids.
================
Confused,
Yeah right, strange dilemma. But we cannot stop industrial and scientific progress for that.
Ultimately, it depends on the user base.
If there are students who want those $100 laptops, they will be sold. If there are students for IIT, it makes sense to invest in IIT (that they should be no subsidized fees is another matter altogether). If there is a demand for a Mercedes, it should be available. The government should not be providing cars, it should be making sure that there are proper roads for both cars and bicycles.
Let this be a purely commercial venture, the government should have no business buying laptops in bulk and distributing them in villages. If they invest money in schools rather than filling their pockets, its more than enough.
>>> (that they should be no subsidized fees is another matter altogether)
err Gaurav,
I read your post later
Gaurav,
You are welcome. Not
Vishnu,
Yeah. Christianity ruined it.
Jyo,
You are welcome. Brick and mortar is the first thing.
Shadows,
This laptop is not to be publicly released. It is only if governments agree to buy it. Of course, if it was available for public consumption and anyone bought it, then it would have been none of of our business.
Dude,
This requires special coverage:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061201/tc_nm/finland_sexiest_dc_1
Ditto to Gaurav’s comment.
I’m sure you would find this quote interesting..
– unknown source.
Dear R
I resurgently rise up to what Barbarindian requested …
yes that link DEMANDS a special coverage with a hint of intelligent humor that’s so unique to you.
hush, dnot probe me..why are u so? am tempted to say something…I feel I am equipped to express….Jyo
>> This laptop is not to be publicly released. It is only if governments agree to buy it.
============
Confused,
Right. Agree.
On a side note, Nanopolitan (the first link ) tries to link the failure of $220 simputer made by IISc with the question of how a laptop can be made in $100. My reply on his post is here –
http://nanopolitan.blogspot.com/2005/04/laptops-for-poor-kids.html
Seems like we come up with good products, but stop improvements or leave the race to keep ahead of the competition. Why do we do such things ??
It would have been much better if IISc had completely sold the technology and knowhow to some tech company(not necessarily Indian), and had signed some R&D deal, rather than making a trust (http://www.simputer.org/simputer/people/) with sarkari people, who would not have much to lose if a good idea fails in the market (they have their job na.. ) Even we feel sad when our own good ideas like these are not successful.
Note a footnote on their main page that says – simputer is a non-profit trust. Explains the cold response in the market.
Why sourceforge and OSS are successful is another matter altogether. There are reasons, which will take quite a long time to type in.
Confused,
my previous comment was trapped in the spam filter.. (dunno what exactly, but it isnt showing, and it says duplicate comment when i resubmit).
Try to reinstate, or my 5 minutes of typing effort goes waste
The OLPC is so interesting yet provocative there are entire blogs just about it. Say like my favorite (and I’m not biased or anything) OLPC News
http://www.olpcnews.com
As discussed earlier @R, http://retributions.wordpress.com/2006/10/03/private-charity-works/
I certainly appreciate a bigger role for private organizations. Forgive me for being skeptical of our big bro. Govt. bodies do start their programmes with a bang and then leave it gather dust and sloppiness until someone wakes up & whip the crack. What Intel had initiated is quite encouraging – one of their programmes “World Ahead”. It’s not providing technological infrastructure, but to invite people to participate, sustain their interaction with it and become self-sufficient. A 360 degree programme is aimed Teachers (how to teach with Technology as the facilitator), NGOs and Students/children as the mainstay. Sure, it is a small step towards a big dream!
I certainly appreciate that more and more private organizations are coming forward as responsible citizens of the country and participating actively in one’s enhancement, could be educational support, infrastructure, rural upliftment programmes. e-Chaupal by ITC group is one of that kind where it created a platform for the farmers to get exposed a much broader consumerscape….want to read more…the aforementioned R’s column has a link…
……http://press.xtvworld.com/article15164.html
“Technology can expand what’s possible to create opportunities for the people of India,” said Barrett. “Through the World Ahead Program, we remain focused on accelerating access to technology, improving education and increasing Internet connectivity.”
Working with the government and other technology companies, Intel set up the state-of-the-art, high-speed Internet network to connect the community computer center and public kiosks,a telemedicine program for Baramati’s government hospital…..commendable an effort!
@Shadows – you did raise an important point.