One Laptop Per Child: Give One Get One
SLAW has been following the progress of the One Laptop program (formerly the $100 laptop program) since 2005. This program is finally kicking off with a 15 day “Give One Get One” (G1G1) campaign. It started yesterday. For a donation of $399 (not including taxes and shipping) you will receive one of these specially designed computers. One computer will also be given to a child in a develping country. $200 of your donation will be tax deductible (less the approximate value of the computer you will receive).
The computer is designed especially for children and is intended to be owned by an individual child. For a tour through the interface and software, click on the icons on the software and interface page. The computer is set up with Linux, has wireless internet capability, and also has the ability to communicate from computer to computer, especially for children in places where internet connection is not available. The screen is readable in full sunlight in addition to darker places. This computer is truly an engineering marvel, making it a coveted item. This offer is available in Canada and the U.S. only. For those in the U.S., T-mobile is offering free hotspot service.
For more information about the program, I recommend reading especially the mission statement and the FAQ page.
You have 14 days left–have you ordered yours?
Related posts:
$100 Laptop Computer (Sept. 29/2005)
One Laptop Per Child Again (Dec. 4/2006)
One Laptop Per Child (Oct. 9/2007)
I’ve ordered mine. I got to hold one in my own hands at a conference last year, and not only do I support the program, I’m eager to see if this might be the ebook reader I’ve been waiting for.
Just ordered mine, too. Still undecided if I am going to keep mine or give it away. Perhaps a little of both. :-)
Blush. Me too. Probably keep mine. Maybe.
My daughter has refused to have anything to do with it, since she can’t load Microsoft programs on it (though I would have thought Sim City would be an attraction). The site claims that many developers are going to be creating software for it. But it looks cool and impressive anyway – with a child-sized keyboard, though, which may impede some of us clunky-fingered adults from playing with it as much as we may like. I expect we can find a worthy young donee if it gets too frustrating.