Comments on: Spending time over on the OLPC forums http://thesalmonfarm.org/blog/2007/12/22/spending-time-over-on-the-olpc-forums/ Bloggin' down on the Farm - news and happenings from the Salmon Farm. A blog on various topics including my thoughts on collaborative technology, personal information in the 21st century, the global internet (or the lack there of), dog training, cooking, architecture, and whatever happens to be a pet peeve on any given day ! Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:57:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: John http://thesalmonfarm.org/blog/2007/12/22/spending-time-over-on-the-olpc-forums/#comment-1314 John Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:58:02 +0000 http://thesalmonfarm.org/blog/2007/12/22/spending-time-over-on-the-olpc-forums/#comment-1314 As an IT person. I agree with what you wrote. The XO has limitations for adults, but for kids no. I got one for me. to replace my palm lifedrive, so far it does. My college son, has played hours with simcity on it. I like to take pictures, so I use the camera a lot, works out in the snow fine. Have tested many usb devices with it, most work. Under the hood the linux is great. And just maybe the one that was give to a child some where will make a difference in his or her life. As an IT person. I agree with what you wrote. The XO has limitations for adults, but for kids no. I got one for me. to replace my palm lifedrive, so far it does. My college son, has played hours with simcity on it. I like to take pictures, so I use the camera a lot, works out in the snow fine. Have tested many usb devices with it, most work. Under the hood the linux is great. And just maybe the one that was give to a child some where will make a difference in his or her life.

]]> By: Glen http://thesalmonfarm.org/blog/2007/12/22/spending-time-over-on-the-olpc-forums/#comment-1301 Glen Sun, 23 Dec 2007 12:56:26 +0000 http://thesalmonfarm.org/blog/2007/12/22/spending-time-over-on-the-olpc-forums/#comment-1301 Mary - thanks for the "first person" perspective. The only places I have been, that would seem to be the focus of the OLPC Foundation would be China. Not the China of Beijing or Shanghai, but the remote regions along the "three rivers". It has been a long time since I visited those villages - places like Fengdu and the villages along the Danang River - and what I remember is the vast potential of all of those people. Mary - thanks for the “first person” perspective. The only places I have been, that would seem to be the focus of the OLPC Foundation would be China. Not the China of Beijing or Shanghai, but the remote regions along the “three rivers”. It has been a long time since I visited those villages - places like Fengdu and the villages along the Danang River - and what I remember is the vast potential of all of those people.

]]> By: Mary http://thesalmonfarm.org/blog/2007/12/22/spending-time-over-on-the-olpc-forums/#comment-1298 Mary Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:04:26 +0000 http://thesalmonfarm.org/blog/2007/12/22/spending-time-over-on-the-olpc-forums/#comment-1298 P.S. It's a shame that OLPC is being held up with bureaucratic red tape right now. Thanks also for the helpful links. P.S. It’s a shame that OLPC is being held up with bureaucratic red tape right now. Thanks also for the helpful links.

]]> By: Mary http://thesalmonfarm.org/blog/2007/12/22/spending-time-over-on-the-olpc-forums/#comment-1297 Mary Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:02:59 +0000 http://thesalmonfarm.org/blog/2007/12/22/spending-time-over-on-the-olpc-forums/#comment-1297 Thanks for posting this discussion here. (And for your comments on RTTC! ) The only developing country I know first-hand is Brazil, and it would be a mistake for me to claim any expertise. But what I observed first-hand among the poorer people that I got to know over five and a half months was a wealth of intelligence and ability and a scarcity of outlets. In many parts of the country the manufacturing jobs had dried up and there were people with the ability to work and the will to work, but nothing to do. Any time there was something positive to do, they would do it - whether that meant arts-and-crafts work, music, theater, or gardening. Most of the poor people I met craved positive outlets. The problem with providing only the basics is that it assumes that people need only be brought up to the level of survival. Once that basic goal is achieved, however, people need additional support for creating a life and perpetuating their culture. Thanks for posting this discussion here. (And for your comments on RTTC! )

The only developing country I know first-hand is Brazil, and it would be a mistake for me to claim any expertise. But what I observed first-hand among the poorer people that I got to know over five and a half months was a wealth of intelligence and ability and a scarcity of outlets. In many parts of the country the manufacturing jobs had dried up and there were people with the ability to work and the will to work, but nothing to do. Any time there was something positive to do, they would do it - whether that meant arts-and-crafts work, music, theater, or gardening. Most of the poor people I met craved positive outlets.

The problem with providing only the basics is that it assumes that people need only be brought up to the level of survival. Once that basic goal is achieved, however, people need additional support for creating a life and perpetuating their culture.

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