Comments on: American Children Prefer Intel’s Classmate. OLPC’s XO, a Poor Man’s Machine?

By: Oldsmobile

Oldsmobile — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:53:00 +0000

It seems from your reviews that it’s really mostly about an unfinished, unpolished OS. Showstopper bugs such as problems running media files really are a pretty glaring sign of unfinished OS (and UI).

Maybe they should have let Steve Jobs put OSX on it after all! I really love the idea of Linux, but just hate every minute of using it since there all these small minor problems that get to you after a while of using it and ad up.

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:07:50 +0000

I think that the XO is a better option, but should abandon the “Sugar” OS in favor of Ubuntu. Everything Jon says I agree with. We don’t need any more Windows computers in the world. Plus, I think that the XO’s fun colors and funky keyboard will be more favorable than the predictable and boring one on the Classmate. Also, Ubuntu is more user-friendly (I think).

By: Jon Gl

Jon Gl — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 06:36:11 +0000

I think it is better to see the XO as an evangelistic tool of the FOSS philosophy, rather than an educational tool.

Also, one thing it does is open childrens’ eyes to the possibility of computers, without weighing them down with the limitations that Windows “provides.” I child reared on the XO will, I believe, be better prepared to creatively use a Windows-OS-based computer far better than a child raised with Windows–because that second child will have his mind closed to other ways of doing things. Also, a child reared on the XO will _not_ be satisfied with the limitations of Windows, and will seek ways to push the boundaries–probably choosing Linux, or some-such. But I believe, Mike, that you may be wrong about facing Windows in the work world–at least outside the US. Linux has turned into a capable alternative to Windows–and is much cheaper.

BTW, I am _not_ a Linux or FOSS evangelist–I’m a mac guy–cut me and I _still_ bleed six colors–but I live outside the US, and see Linux everywhere…

-Jon

By: Mike Cane

Mike Cane — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:51:53 +0000

>>>The real question rasied by the Classmate is whether the XO laptop, with its non-standard operating system, is a good educational tool. Does the OLPC XO help children in developing countries prepare to compete in a global economy or does it offer them the electronic equivalent of an outdated textbook?

Thank you for seeing that too! I’ve said it over and over that when those kids leave school, they’ll most likely have to face some version of Windows in the work world. I’m no MS booster, but this is simply a fact.