[ale] Cheap Linux Laptops for Developing Countries

[Jeff Lightner]

If its anything like the "cheap HIV drugs for the developing world" idea
then most of these laptops will end up in more developed countries as
they'll have been stolen by the local administrators as they can then
cheaply compete against the developed countries prices.   

One really wonders if its possible a society that can't get power to run
laptops can really educate its people well enough to deal with free
technology in the first place.   I understand the infrastructure needed
for wi-fi is less than that needed for power grids but the lack of power
grids suggests a poverty level that means education isn't likely a high
budget priority.

-----Original Message-----
From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of Bob
To: ale at ale.org
Toxen
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 10:16 AM
To: ale at ale.org
Subject: [ale] Cheap Linux Laptops for Developing Countries

>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
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
(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
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