Laptops for Immokalee

Okay, so a pal of mine spoke with a billionaire (a real one, with a B), who is ready to write a check for 10,000 "XO" $179 laptops. I confirmed this, and it's legit.

So I called MIT again, and here's the skinny:

1. These are Linux-based systems. They accept Mmicrosoft (MS) software, but don't come with it installed. (Linux users prefer it vastly over DOS (MS's language), but.... well, if you want MS, you want MS).
2. We could try to contact the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation about this. They've got money...
3. The computers aren't available for sale yet, and a release date of late October is only a goal, nothing more.
4. For now, they're only looking for purchases of 250,000 computers and up (so governments are the only ones buying, at this stage).
5. I was told that "By this time next year, sure, you'll be able to buy just one if you want. But not right now."

I'm going to check with Intel. The gal at MIT says their version is still up around $300, but I'd like to find out for myself.

I'll keep you posted, Dear Readers.

Latest on the One Laptop Initiative

If you've been following my story of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Initiative, then you may find this link interesting: http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Core_principles#child_ownership

If you find it a bunch of "happy crap," that's your perogative. But just keep one thing in mind: While you're criticizing, others are doing. And we're going to keep on doing with or without your help.

People were born to dream. When you give up dreaming, you give up living.