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Microsoft and OLPC - Wallace B. McClure

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Microsoft and OLPC

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070502-olpc-project-clarifies-no-plans-for-windows-support.html

Interesting stuff.  I would hope that Windows would run on the laptop eventually.  I think that for it to truly be a success, it needs to have Windows.  I know that with my family, our school is talking about requiring different grades to have laptops.  I would rather spend $150 for a new laptop each year than spend $800 for a new laptop every two years.  It it breaks, $150 would be a much easier replacement.

Posted: May 03 2007, 12:56 PM by Wallym | with 4 comment(s)
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Comments

Wim Hollebrandse said:

Why would OLPC need Windows? If you can run OpenOffice, FireFox and a vast number of educational OpenSource software?

Especially in developing countries (which really is the main target audience for OLPC), people don't need a commercial OS and lock-in to all sorts of commercial software that run on the Windows platform.

A light-weight, very well localized and open source linux based OS suits the OLPC project down to the ground.

# May 3, 2007 2:48 PM

Microsoft and OLPC | Pilka said:

PingBack from http://www.ukini.org/pilka/2007/05/03/microsoft-and-olpc/

# May 3, 2007 8:56 PM

Jim said:

I think Microsoft needs OLPC more than OLPC needs Windows (to maintain future marketshare).  My 2 cents.

# May 4, 2007 4:51 PM

Wallym said:

A couple of things to point out:

Windows is the dominant OS.  It needs to run on OLPC.  It doesn't have to be the only operating system, but it needs to be an option that runs on the OLPC.

I want one for my kids.  yes, I realize that there is a difference in the feature sets due to the fact that OLPC is designed for developing countries.  I want an inexpensive laptop for the kids that when they break it, it won't be a huge loss.

this probably won't happen due to the religous issues involved, but it would be nice if people would get over some of this crap.

# May 5, 2007 6:40 PM
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