OLPC Update

Around two weeks ago we heard that the people in charge of OLPC have changed the computer from the name of 2B1 to XO, and now there is new news.

First up is news from Brazil, where IDG Now! Brasil reports that the country will receive 50 test laptops from OLPC, making it the first nation to have actual, live, working models. Meanwhile, across the world in Thailand, the whole notion of a $100 laptop has now become a bit less attractive to the new military government. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was a big fan of NickNeg’s pet project, but sadly, his countrymen kicked him out of office in September, making Thailand somewhat of a tough sell now. iTeau, a Thai blogger, adds that Thailand’s new information and communication technology minister has said that he doesn’t think that XO will work, and has ridiculed it as a “toy.”

What a mess. I really had high hopes for the project, as I think while it does not fix disease, or hunger, it provides a tool for education, knowledge, and communication, which are in my mind, components for creating a more forward thinking society.

via Engadget

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