Give One, Get One.. buy a wifi laptop for $399, and a kid gets one free

[SoCalDem]

and you get a $200 deductible donation..I just did it and CANNOT WAIT to get my little treasure

Verizon will give you free wifi for a YEAR too..

It's so damned cute..and you can crank it for extra battery life..

I don't have the foggiest yet how I will use it, but dammit, I wanted it and it's my Xmas opresent to me..and some kid in the 3rd world gets one too..for free...

Link to article about it

http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/index.php

[Angela Shelley]

1. "but dammit, I wanted it"

"I don't have the foggiest yet how I will use it, but dammit, I wanted it"
"I don't have the foggiest yet how I will use it, but dammit, I wanted it"
"I don't have the foggiest yet how I will use it, but dammit, I wanted it"
"I don't have the foggiest yet how I will use it, but dammit, I wanted it"
"I don't have the foggiest yet how I will use it, but dammit, I wanted it"

[SoCalDem]

2. and?

I was being facetious.. I will use it.:) or I may give it to my son.. or to a day care facility.. I don't know yet..

The offer ends on Nov 30, and I had to act fast :P

[Donnachaidh]

6. what's the stats on it -- how powerful?

The actual price is about average for low end laptops (my area anyway), but it looks more like a toy to me. While it may be a good program for starter computers in the third world, most people here need something that is a bit more than what the *case* looks like.

And fwiw, I am in the market for a laptop for a christmas present. While this looks like a good program, I'd still need to know what kind of "guts" these have before I buy.

[blogslut]

37. Here you go

http://laptop.org/laptop/hardware/specs.shtml

One must keep in mind these are not super-awesome powerhouse machines. They are designed to be used in countries where electricity and access to landlines is limited or non-existent. There is no hard drive. The screen is small. The CPU is not that fast. From what I can tell they have about 256 megabytes of RAM. There is no hard drive. If you want to add any hardware it will have to be done externally.

Just the same, for kids that have never owned a computer, these units will perform an good amount of tasks. Word processing. Internet connectivity. Web browser. VOIP. Email. Chat. RSS reader. Sound, video and built-in camera. The OS is open source. The battery can be recharged with human power. In other words, this is an out-of-the-box solution for children who have neither the money nor the opportunity to visit the local electronics store.

[Midlodemocrat]

3. Your point?

:eyes:

[Tesha]

8. The sarcasm-impaired enjoy making fun of people? (NT)

[MyNameGoesHere]

10. Brain stutter? n/t

[B Calm]

4. I saw a TV show awhile back about this. Sounds like a great program

to help young students in 3rd world countries.

[SoCalDem]

11. It has a high resolution camera, a swivel screen and top-notch audio

and it only weight about 3 lbs..

[RC]

5. From the looks of those kids, food might be a better option.

At least it seems to have Linux instead of Windows on it.

[B Calm]

7. With the Internet they'll learn how to feed themselves. They don't look

that hungry to me???

[SoCalDem]

9. Americans barely recognize "lean" anymore

My kids were thin,,(well-fed, but thin..) and my motherinlaw actually accused us of "not feeding them enough"..

she said "You can see those boys' ribs"..they ate all the time, but they did not eat junk food..and they rode bikes from dawn to dusk.(they were not tv-kids)..

They grew up to be athletic, thin men..

[girl gone mad]

31. Those particular kids look healthy.

They don't need an American diet and the diseases and early death that accompany it.

[renate]

12. that's really nice--thanks so much for the info!

I've been resistant to getting another computer simply to cut down on squabbles between the kids--I don't want them to learn that silly problems like custody of the computer can be resolved by spending money--but this is a solution I could live with... a low-tech computer that does some good for someone else, too. (Though not all that low-tech--it sounds pretty good in this article: )
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/technology/circuits/04pogue.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&adxnnlx=1191677876-fOSMs3sQvlI/nggC%20bTIHA

Thank you thank you thank you! I wish I could give this more than just one recommendation... I'm so happy to know about this! I love the idea of kids in the US being able to imagine kids in a one-room, dirt-floor schoolhouse on the other side of the world using the exact same computer--kind of a "we're all connected" sort of thing.

[Lance_Boyle]

13. It is a crap product based on a crap idea

and if you want to buy one, then I hope you get $400 worth of (misguided) feelgood out of it. You're certainly not getting a "laptop" or anything most of the world would recognize as computer hardware. The infamous "$100 laptop" turned into a $400 tinker toy, only not quite as useful, since it can't be burned for fuel.

Bottom line is, there's more than enough FREE hardware out there to equip the people this monstrosity was targeting, for FAR less. Hell, donated parts or off-lease REAL laptops could have done the trick, cheaper. But the people with "the idea" partnered with other people, and their corporations, to turn the "OLPC" into this worthless green hunk of overpriced shit. All while 4+ year old thinkpads and latitudes are going in the garbage, making hazardous waste.

This never should have happened. I hope it fails miserably before any more resources are burned or buried. And if you waste your $400 on it, I hope your other investments are better researched.

[Lex]

14. Got a link for your pontifications?

Presented as facts. Sounds like opinion.

[renate]

15. the author of the NYT article begs to differ

You surely know more about computers than I do, so I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you. But this computer does seem to have been specifically designed mainly for the physical conditions of dusty or rainy environments and for the needs of kids who don't have access, even at public libraries, to the kinds of equipment that American kids do.

Despite all the obstacles and doubters, O.L.P.C. has come up with a laptop that’s tough and simple enough for hot, humid, dusty locales; cool enough to keep young minds engaged, both at school and at home; and open, flexible and collaborative enough to support a million different teaching and learning styles.

For kids in the US, sure, it may be what an AM Walkman is to today's iPod. But to kids in developing countries, it could be life-changing. And I think it'd be good for American kids who are used to the bells and whistles to use the kind of computer that children in other countries consider themselves extremely fortunate to get.

I accidentally used a link to Page 2 of the NYT article; here's the link to Page 1:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/technology/circuits/04pogue.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&adxnnlx=1191677876-fOSMs3sQvlI/nggC%20bTIHA

[Deja Q]

20. True, but

Why make them portable?

Why not keep them at schools?

Theft would become inevitable.

And how much would it cost to better weatherproof existing laptops?

And you're absolutely right: Such a system would have to be designed to operate in hot climates. Most laptops and desktops are made to work in 70~80 degree environments. No amount of weatherproofing (dust, sand, rain) could compensate for temperature - not all old equipment can be retrograded to operate at lower power requirements.

[robinlynne]

30. And I lived in the tropics for 20 years. No camera stays alive. A computer which we use

needs air conditioning and would not survive in real heat or humidity even for a week. Let alone your idea of recycling 100s of different kinds of computers. 400 does seem a bit steep to me. But the concept is fantastic! you can't recycle ten different kinds of computers and make them work in a simple environment. You could however do that here if you are so inclined....just od it. Don't tear down toher epople's workable and wonderful programs.

[SoCalDem]

33. The $400 is actually for TWO computers..one YOU get and one they get

and you get a $200 tax deduction and a free year of Verizon WiFi,,,and of course you could donate the one you got, for another deduction, or you could sell it on Ebay and just keep the deduction and the free year of wifi :)

or this would be a great computer for a grandchild..:)

[robinlynne]

34. I'm with you. I think it's great!

[Deja Q]

19. I must agree. 100%.

The only issues are two:

1. Battery life. Li-ion batteries typically last 2~3 years. They are costly to replace.

2. Electrical power.

Especially the latter; it's hard to augment a typical discarded celeron laptop with a hand crank.

Mind you, solar power would be of considerable assistance and could be made of use.

There are more effective ways of turning a nice idea into a reality rather than making a flimsy toy at a low price, that will undoubtedly fail before its time.

Negroponte was on the right track. So were the large corporations who thought "Money!" and started copycatting. But both were not thinking inside the box. Nothing new and snot colored was required, unless a can of spraypaint in that dismal green could be found. Probably $1.29 at Wal-mart.

[dansolo]

25. And who will maintain those thinkpads?

Did you even bother to think about how well something like that could survive in a harsh dusty environment? Those laptops that you speak of are not that rugged. And how will they be recharged? These people can't just plug them in to recharge. And when they fail, then what happens with them? They get discarded. Apparently your solution to our trash problem is to dump it on third world countries and pretend that we are doing them a favor.

[blogslut]

38. I must agree I am torn

Realistically, as I said in a post above, these are designed for people with no landlines and no regular electrical power supply. They are meant for kids living in the most remote locations.

Then again, you are correct. There are probably millions of unused machines laying around or seeping toxic waste in landfills. These machines can be refurbished and made useful again but people in the west are obsessed with newer, bigger, better. Right now, if I had the extra cash, I could buy 10 used iMacs, a gateway router and set up network bank in any rural school for less than one thousand dollars. I never buy new machines. I think the practice is wasteful and completely unnecessary.

In fact, the hub machine for my ethernet gateway is a used iMac that I bought off of Ebay for 75.00. My main PC is an all-in-one IBM netVista x41 that cost me less than 200.00. My laptop is a ThinkPad 560x that I use primarily for my writing job - although it will connect via ethernet when I need to upload assignments via email. The kid has an old ThinkPad that is used for schoolwork and the only regret I have is when I just got her a "faster, better" Toshiba Tecra 8100. Little did I know those models are notorious for burned out FL inverters. After spending 80.00 for a replacement, now I know.

[uppityperson]

16. I don't want one, wonder if I can just donate $200 directly...?

they can give one to a kid and I don't need one.

[renate]

17. I don't know, but here's the address to write to

[e-mail]

That's very nice of you!! :hug:

[Rosa Luxemburg]

18. Thank you so much for the info

[in_cog_ni_to]

21. Nice cause. Did you know the man who started this non-profit is John Negroponte's brother?

It's true. He's trying to get the State Dept. to give EVERY Iraqi child one of these computers! Pretty cool. He's was on a booknotes I watched this morning. I was SHOCKED to hear he was related to John Negroponte. They are so different from each other!

[SoCalDem]

24. I saw the interview on cpan, but did not catch the whole thing..

It IS amazing how his brother could be such an ASS, and he's 180 degrees different.. Maybe hes subconsciously compensating for his brother's evil soul..:shrug:

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

22. my girlfriend got her hands on one of these

and while I understand its intended application I have to say as a general purpose computer it is more or less useless.

[SoCalDem]

23. I know that, but for kids who are learning, it's an amazing tool

I have a wireless laptop (Toshiba M55) , Dell laptop, and 2 desktops computers, so I did not get it to "have a computer"..

I just think the concept is amazing to give a device like this to kids with no electricity in their homes, no running water, and very little concept of the outside world.. Imagine how it will change their lives..

and I think the idea to give each child one, is part of the plan to avoid theft..If they were secured in classrooms, they would surely start to disappear, but if one has to attend school to GET one, and it's THEIRS, I don;t think theft will be that big of a problem..

[dansolo]

26. But as an ebook reader...

I am thinking of getting one, but I would probably use it exclusively as an ebook reader and an occasional browsing/email terminal. Even at the $400 price tag, it isn't more expensive than the current ebook readers that are available. It is an open platform, meaning absolutely no DRM. You can operate it in monochromatic mode, which extends the battery life dramatically.

[SoCalDem]

27. and the battery seems to be a lot more vigorous

than my pricey laptop.. My damned battery runs down in less than 3 hours..:grr:

and the GOGO laptop has a crank on it to recharge :)

[never cry wolf]

28. Nicholas Negroponte, younger brother of John

I cannot judge, apparently nick is an architect, as i am, but beware of negropontes...

He was on cspan last night... seed money for the laptop deal came from Rupert Murdoch...

May be a nice goal, on the surface

[SoCalDem]

29. many others provided seed money too..

and let's not forget that Rupert cozies up to our candidates too..He's the devil incarnate, but his money can also be a useful tool to others who do want to do good..

Rupert can then proclaim himself to be a lilly-white do-gooder:(

[Gidney N Cloyd]

35. I had no idea Nicholas and John were related. We studied what >

Nicholas was doing for cutting edge educational technology via the MIT "Media Lab" way back in the early 90's , maybe even late 80s. Somehow I wouldn't worry too much about Nicholas' motivations but Murdoch's money and John's interests might be the old 'camel's nose under the tent.'

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

36. I'm related to one of the big shitheads of the porn industry

I'm also related to somebody who was suspected of being a mafia hitman while a commissioned officer stationed in Italy.

You can find assholes in any family. I'm sure Murdoch is looking at this as the opening up of an untapped new market for the content industry, but sometimes the ends really do justify the means. A kid in Cambodia downloading Justin Timberlake probably isn't the apocalypse.

[ret5hd]

39. can you arrange discounts?

[nedbal]

32. Get one year of complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot access.

T-Mobile USA is proud to offer you one-year complimentary access to T-Mobile HotSpot in recognition of your support for the Give One Get One program. As you help children in developing countries stay connected, educated, and enlightened - T-Mobile wants to support you by keeping you connected to those who matter most to you.

T-Mobile HotSpot broadband Internet service is available at more than 8,500 locations throughout the United States. Your complimentary year of service is valued at more than $350! Just use any Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as your laptop computer or a Wi-Fi-enabled mobile phone, and you can connect and communicate your way.

T-Mobile HotSpot locations in the United States include most Starbucks, Borders Books and Music, FedEx Kinko's Office and Print Centers, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Red Roof Inn locations, many airports, and various airline clubs of American®, United®, Delta, and US Airways®. Get connected at a nearby
T-Mobile HotSpot

[mdmc]

40. interesting

thanks for the OP