One Laptop Per Child
June 7th, 2008“Why would a kid in the developing world need a laptop…take the word laptop and substitute the word education…eliminate poverty create peace and work on the environment”
Nicholas Negroponte
This is the sentiment which drives Professor Nicholas Negroponte’s OLPC initiative, Negroponte, co-founder of the MIT Media Lab first launched his non-profit making enterprise in January 2005 with the aim of supplying laptops for children in the developing world. The first phase of the program delivered hundreds of thousands of XO’s but many countries were apprehensive about buying machines which did not run Microsoft’s Windows operating system.
Following a deal with Microsoft Negroponte has now launched revamped XO2 machine which operates dual Microsoft Linux system. The new device incorporates laptop, e-book and electronic board capacities within a neat book like format. This appliance can be used by more than one child simultaneously, is more energy efficient and more than 500 e-books can be stored.
Some people have been critical of the OLPC initiative, questioning the provision of laptops as opposed to uniforms, desks etc. However the web was originally intended as a global gift to aid education by giving people free access to knowledge. Sadly not everyone has been in a position to access this privilege but hopefully initiatives like OLPC will help balance the equation.
