Hi James,<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br>
<br>It is not just about having the operating system in the XO. It is about giving the children a part of their future -- today.<br><br>Cheers,<br>Sandeep<br><br> *According to the latest data, Filipinos send an average of 15 text messages per cell phone per day. <br>
<br><br><br><br><br><br>-----------------------<br>Message: 3<br>
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 10:01:54 +0800<br>
From: "James Shields" <<a href="mailto:james@marasbaras.com">james@marasbaras.com</a>><br>
Subject: Re: [Olpc-philippines] Fwd: OLPC PH Get together of 27 Apr<br>
2007 andOLPC AUS<br>
To: "OLPC Philipppines" <<a href="mailto:olpc-philippines@lists.laptop.org">olpc-philippines@lists.laptop.org</a>><br>
Message-ID: <<a href="mailto:MPEIKKIHAEKFDBMDPGJBIECMDFAC.james@marasbaras.com">MPEIKKIHAEKFDBMDPGJBIECMDFAC.james@marasbaras.com</a>><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"<br>
<br>
Why is bringing Windows to the XO bad? Many countries were refusing to<br>
consider the XO without Windows.<br>
<br>
I thought this was a project about trying to get affordable laptops into the<br>
hands of children who need them. Not some religious thing about Linux and<br>
Windows.<br>
<br>
James Shields<br>