[ale] Cheap Linux Laptops for Developing Countries

[Bob Toxen]

>From Slate:

http://www.slate.com/id/2151202/

A U.S. nonprofit is selling cheap laptops for school children to five
countries. Argentina, Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand have signed deals;
now Libya will provide laptops to all its students. The machines cost
less than $150 and are geared for the developing world, with Wi-Fi and a
battery-recharging hand crank. Nonprofit's spin: Libya will beat the
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(Perhaps that photo of the Indian Support person with human-powered
 generator for his laptop wasn't a spoof after all -Bob)

United States at connecting all its kids to the Internet.

Anti-Microsoft spin: The company refused to sell Windows cheaply enough
to put in the machines, so instead, kids will learn to love Linux and
Google.

Bill Gates' spin: Cell phones are a better device for spreading digital
technology to the world. (For Human Nature's previous update on cell
phones and school kids in New York, click here. For cell phones and
driving, click here and here.)

Bob Toxen
bob at verysecurelinux.com               [Please use for email to me]
http://www.verysecurelinux.com        [Network&Linux/Unix security consulting]
http://www.realworldlinuxsecurity.com [My book:"Real World Linux Security 2/e"]
Quality Linux & UNIX security and SysAdmin & software consulting since 1990.

"Microsoft: Unsafe at any clock speed!"
   -- Bob Toxen 10/03/2002