[Olpc-philippines] Short response to question about Windows on XO

[James Shields]

I'll grant you those points.  We should also keep in mind that no-cost
software usually means that nobody gets paid to do it.  It costs the IT
industry jobs.  I've seen some hybrid pricing models out there and I'm
hoping that they work ... as the traditional high-priced software or
rented/leased model from the old mainframe days just doesn't work for
people, businesses, and countries that lack the money to invest.

If we're worried about the future of these children, we need to work out how
much of the software gets developed in the future.  If at no cost ... well,
you get what you pay for ... and, the software development industry withers.
Yes, there are some very nice no-cost software packages out there.  For the
most part, the no-cost stuff is junk.

We could have a long, long discussion about this ... but, I suspect that's
best left for doing in-person over coffee, Cokes, and/or tuba.

If I can get my hands on WinXP for the XO, I might work on a direct Sugar
port to WinXP.  It's rather daunting, I looked at the source.  Still, might
be interesting.

As I see it, Windows opens the door in many cases (Egypt is a very good
example), but Sugar exposes the kids to a usable GUI besides the
Xerox-created and Win/Mac-stolen interface we have now.  From my point of
view, the Windows and Mac interfaces, plus all the Linux derivatives, are
essentially the same.  Having something so different is good.

I also think it's good if it gives more children access to the Internet.
The net has been proven to be a rather democratizing medium.  That's almost
always good (I'd like to say it's ALWAYS good, but, I'm hedging my bets
here).

I'd also like to point out that perhaps MS isn't being quite so
profit-minded this time.  Sounds like WinXP for the XO (WinXO?) is going to
be an $10 option ($3 for the WinXP license, $7 for the addition flash card
it needs).
BTW, I've e-mailed one of the people at MS regarding the Unlimited Potential
program (they are the people doing the WinXP port, along with the Asus Eee
PC and another small, inexpensive computer) about WinXO.  If I hear
anything, I'll let this group know.

James Shields


  -----Original Message-----
  From: olpc-philippines-bounces at lists.laptop.org
[mailto:olpc-philippines-bounces at lists.laptop.org]On Behalf Of Sandeep C.
  Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:19 AM
  To: olpc-philippines at lists.laptop.org
  Subject: [Olpc-philippines] Short response to question about Windows on XO


  Hi James,

  OLPC did realize that it needed the support of Microsoft's influence to
keep the project alive -- hence the decision to support Windows. That's a
given.

  We do have to realize that Microsoft is a for-profit entity which exists
to protect it's franchise. A defensive stance to "support" OLPC prevents
kids from getting exposed to better technology -- software developed through
the open source development model. Low-cost (or zero-cost), high-value
software that keeps the world's top tech companies such as Google, Yahoo,
Facebook, Craigslist, Red Hat, Amazon running with extreme efficiency.
Software that allows Smart Communications (and other Philippine providers)
to deliver close to a billion text messages per day* at the lowest possible
cost. Software that is being embraced by the world's top CIO's, IT managers,
decision makers. I could go on and on...but you get the picture.

  It is not just about having the operating system in the XO. It is about
giving the children a part of their future -- today.

  Cheers,
  Sandeep

  *According to the latest data, Filipinos send an average of 15 text
messages per cell phone per day.






  -----------------------
  Message: 3
  Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 10:01:54 +0800
  From: "James Shields" <james at marasbaras.com>
  Subject: Re: [Olpc-philippines] Fwd: OLPC PH Get together of 27 Apr
         2007    andOLPC AUS
  To: "OLPC Philipppines" <olpc-philippines at lists.laptop.org>
  Message-ID: <MPEIKKIHAEKFDBMDPGJBIECMDFAC.james at marasbaras.com>
  Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="iso-8859-1"

  Why is bringing Windows to the XO bad?  Many countries were refusing to
  consider the XO without Windows.

  I thought this was a project about trying to get affordable laptops into
the
  hands of children who need them.  Not some religious thing about Linux and
  Windows.

  James Shields

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