Anyway, I wanted to let you guys know about this amazing project so (hopefully) you can pass it along.
I'm sure you have all heard about the amazing One Laptop Per Child program. If not, I will briefly explain: An amazing man, Walter Bender, came up with the idea of producing a cheap ($100) laptop that can be mass-produced and then bought by lesser-developed countries to give to their school children so that they will all have access to computers. These things are really amazing.
I am so impressed by the thought that went into these! They are solar-powered and run on very little energy so that students don't need to have access to an outlet to use them. They have super-sensitive wifi that can pick up even really weak signals. They are specially designed to be able to use and see the monitor outdoors in the sun as many children study and go to school outdoors. The monitor can turn 360 degrees and be used as an electronic book. Not only that, they have great programs for music and graphics where kids can play around recording themselves and music, etc. They also hook up so that what is being typed on one can be seen on another to facilitate group work. AND, with all that, they are small, lightweight, look awesome, and even have a handle on the back! I LOVE it when people are so innovative for a good cause.
As you might have guessed, though, there is a catch. Although the computers are supposed to only be $100, they are currently selling for almost $200. This is because the few really large orders that the company was relying on haven't come through, and nobody is willing to take the first step to make the big order so that they can start being mass-produced. Basically, this project needs to just get off the ground so that people will realize its value and then it will grow. Right now the company is accepting $200 donations on its website to send a laptop to a child in an area that needs it (right now I think the focus is on Peru).
The REALLY awesome thing, though, is this promotion that they are doing for two weeks starting on November 12. For the first (and possibly only) time, benefactors can get one of these laptops for themselves. By paying $400, you receive your own laptop and pay for one to be sent to a child in need. Isn't this amazing? I was just thinking how perfect that would be for anyone with children. Where can you get such a cheap, perfectly-tailored children's computer? I know that my niece loves playing on the computer and to be able to have a great, sturdy child's laptop for $400 just seems like an amazing opportunity.
Whew! Sorry - I'm really excited about it if you can't tell and I really want this company to succeed! There was a great article in the Newsweek on this if you would like to check it out. There's a little video where they demonstrate the laptop so you can see how it actually works. Here's the link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20941373/site/newsweek/
No comments:
Post a Comment