Zimi

Friday, February 06, 2009

25 not-so-random things about One Laptop Per Child.

I won't do the 25 random things about myself here. But here are 25 reasons I like One Laptop Per Child, the company behind the XO Laptop.

1. They know that education is the only real way to bring lasting change. 

2. They have a real plan to provide information and opportunity around the world.

3. They understand the future.

4. It's a program for children, so you can't lose.

5. They don't see limits. They think big, using phrases like "freedom and empowerment". Their name is "One Laptop Per Child" and they mean it.

6. They have a Give One, Get One program.

7. The laptop is cheap! Only $200 now, and the price will drop as quantity goes up.

8. It is designed tough to work in any climate, including high heat and humidity.

9. The screen can be seen in direct sunlight, because many students study outdoors.

10. Handles!

11. It gets wifi.

12. Although the focus is on education, it has games too.

13. It can run on solar power.

14. The screen can fold out so it becomes an ebook reader, or a handheld game player.

15. It's green!

16. Kids can interact with other XO owners in their area through the "neighborhood" because they can connect to each other...

17. ...And while connected, if one has the internet, they ALL get the internet.

18. It does so much, but the developers are consciously avoiding featureitus, which affects too much technology.

19. They care about child ownership so kids also learn responsibility.

20. Because of the focus on connection, children learn from each other...

21. ...And they will interact in their own language and culture through the neutral computer.

22. The software is all free and open source.

23. Anyone can program software for it.

24. It's only $199 to buy one for a child somewhere to use the rest of their life.

25. This thing is amazing and it could change the world. It's real and it's already working.