I've read a few articles concerning the social issues in these contries surrounding providing computers and these worry me. I don't have the time to address them here though.
In addition the hand cranks are a big problem as they are too difficult for children and many adults to actually crank, and apparently are not well attached as it came off during a demonstration where Kofi Annon was trying to crank it.
Also there is the issue of fixing any problems with the machines. Since no one there knows how to fix them it will be difficult to solve any problems, more machines will just have to be sent back or simply thrown out. If you look at how many problems people have with their hardware today that becomes apparent.
There is also the issue with the meshing that is required for all the computers to get on one internet connection. If one of the machines goes down, they all go down if they are meshed together. In addition the connection is incredably slow if you have a classroom full working on it, and will most likely not be very useful in that respect.
Also I'm not sure about what steps they are taking to look at the language issues surrounding sending computers to developing nations. That has not been addressed in most of what I have read.
Also the countries are required to prove some of the money for the laptops. While they are cheep, the number that the countries are required to order at one time is very high (in the millions if I remember correctly). Even if the countries only have to pay 10% ordering a million computers would make it still a very expensive prospect for many developing nations. And if the computers break and the students now want more, the country will need to spend more money to provide them.
It's very neat in concept but the practical application of distribution is still very much not finalized.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-11-30 05:31 pm (UTC)In addition the hand cranks are a big problem as they are too difficult for children and many adults to actually crank, and apparently are not well attached as it came off during a demonstration where Kofi Annon was trying to crank it.
Also there is the issue of fixing any problems with the machines. Since no one there knows how to fix them it will be difficult to solve any problems, more machines will just have to be sent back or simply thrown out. If you look at how many problems people have with their hardware today that becomes apparent.
There is also the issue with the meshing that is required for all the computers to get on one internet connection. If one of the machines goes down, they all go down if they are meshed together. In addition the connection is incredably slow if you have a classroom full working on it, and will most likely not be very useful in that respect.
Also I'm not sure about what steps they are taking to look at the language issues surrounding sending computers to developing nations. That has not been addressed in most of what I have read.
Also the countries are required to prove some of the money for the laptops. While they are cheep, the number that the countries are required to order at one time is very high (in the millions if I remember correctly). Even if the countries only have to pay 10% ordering a million computers would make it still a very expensive prospect for many developing nations. And if the computers break and the students now want more, the country will need to spend more money to provide them.
It's very neat in concept but the practical application of distribution is still very much not finalized.