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<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2>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.
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2>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. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2>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.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2>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).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2>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).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<P><SPAN class=375192905-03062008><FONT size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><FONT size=2>James Shields<BR></P></FONT>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
olpc-philippines-bounces@lists.laptop.org
[mailto:olpc-philippines-bounces@lists.laptop.org]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Sandeep
C.<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:19 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
olpc-philippines@lists.laptop.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Olpc-philippines] Short
response to question about Windows on XO<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>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></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>