Donate One Laptop per Child, Get One
Fri Nov 2, 2007 8:42AM EDT
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Starting Monday, Nov. 12, Americans and Canadians will have the chance to add charity and innovation to holiday shopping lists. The One Laptop Per Child organization is offering the chance to purchase two XO laptops—one to be given to a child in the developing world, the other to keep or donate locally.
It's called "Give 1 Get 1" and the $399 offer is good for two weeks. The XO laptops are durable laptops designed for education and connecting kids in developing nations who have never worked with computers.
The One Laptop Per Child Organization has had verbal agreements from many developing country governments to purchase the laptops in bulk, but concrete, signed orders have not been as forthcoming as project founder and chairman Nicholas Negroponte had hoped. So the group has opened up the sale of the laptops from Nov. 12 to Nov. 26 to Americans and Canadians in an effort to spark worldwide sales. They will be delivered by Christmas.
The energy-efficient computers have high-resolution screens, cameras, and peer-to-peer wireless communication capability built in. They run on free open-source software. There are no moving parts—no CD or DVD drive, and no hard drive—just 1GB flash memory and a low-power processor so it can be easily maintained. It can be powered by solar energy, a foot pump, or pull-string powered chargers, and the screen is readable in full sunlight.
The New York Times reports that some members of the laptop project were understandably concerned that if American children were to use them, they would be highly critical when comparing them to Macs and PCs. But focus groups with kids ages 7 to 11 turned in high praise, so they moved ahead with the one-for-one program. For a good look at the XO laptop, check out David Pogue's review in the Times.
Affordable laptops for kids have been top of the news lately. Asus' $400 Eee PC is getting some good early reviews, while Intel announced its $400 flash-memory "Classmate PC" will be tested by the Brazilian government alongside OLPC's XO Laptop.
Whether families keep the second OLPC computer for their kids, Give 1 Get 1 is about the giving. "The main thing is to get this thing started," Negroponte says in the Times piece.
Interested? What would you do with the second laptop if you decide to make the $400 donation?
LINKS:www.xogiving.org
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27 Posted by mb2248@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:12PM EDT Report Abuse
And what made the cost go up so fast...from $100 to whatever? Labor? Figures...why can't it be done for 'free' labor? If charity does begin at home, let's be charitible...eliminate the high costs, bring it in for the $100 as planned....everything has it's price...let this one stand at $100.
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28 Posted by joanna_martin_tx@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:37PM EDT Report Abuse
I have an Acer lap top from wal-mart. $400...Where as I think its a nice idea..the "other" lap-top..? *I would want it for MY kids. I have 2 in that range and where as I'm sure the hungry kids in developing countries would love a lap top I can think of other things they might liie more..say..Food, Clean Water...heck maybe even Medication...Lets take the profits and send these kids things that can ...I dunno ...SAVE THIER LIVES????...
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29 Posted by dormac1205@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:47PM EDT Report Abuse
I just read 7-24 comments, seems everyone is in the same opinion, we need to take care of our own first. Taratowns 8 said it best in my opinion. I had a co-worker who said" if you are born in the USA you are blessed". Tell that to the kids out there who think nobody cares for them. Lets please, love "our babies" here in the USA first, then we can spread the help around.
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30 Posted by toasterwater on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:14PM EDT Report Abuse
You know, you are exactly right. Feed them. Help them live long enough to grow up uneducated and become just as stupid as we are. "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day, give his child a laptop and watch him discover a method to feed his entire nation using their own natural resources" We already feed them, education is important too.
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31 Posted by jack-mccarty@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:26PM EDT Report Abuse
I certainly agree that all these computers should go to our own children. Our tax dollars are already going to those same "poor" overseas countries we want to sent the computers to. The dictators steal the money and as happens with much of the food we send, those computers will be stolen and sold on the black market before any child ever gets one. BUT EVEN MORE TROUBLING TO ME IS IN THE COMMENTS ABOVE: I keep reading that these people can't afford food, clothing and so forth for their own children. So what are they doing with a computer writing these comments about not having money for a $5 Barbie Doll, etc.?
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32 Posted by toasterwater on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:14PM EDT Report Abuse
Another genius comment, #37. "kids in my town don't even have a telephone and forget computers" How did your words manifest online if not by computer (with internet access)? But your kids dont even have access to a phone... much less the computer you are typing on.
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33 Posted by paulsharongrey@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:03PM EDT Report Abuse
look at the problems we are facing with kid and computors. more kids stay in doors then go out, why would we want to keep them in longer. i am from Zimbabwe, how are the kids in these countries going to use them. electricity is in short supply and battries are almost not available. I am not for this, i think it is a season for someone to get rich.
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34 Posted by jackgroshans@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:26PM EDT Report Abuse
What started at $100 is now $200 and MIT advertises BOGO They must think they are WALMART or something...wait WALMART would never do that. Think also that MIT gets tax..our tax dollars to break into the market so we all get to share in this experience..that should make you feel all warm and fuzzy..kinda like peeing down your leg in the winter. Make no mistake about this...it is not about kids...it is solely about money.between buying the computers and tax incentives..MIT has free everything plus the added bonus of larger government grants.Always be suspicious of any company who out of the goodness of their hearts gives anything without something coming back at them. MIT would not be doing this if it did not get the assurances of getting something back that far outweighs what it is giving up.
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35 Posted by pg241964 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:08PM EDT Report Abuse
I am concerned about the children being submitted to Internet porn. There are people out there that will stop at nothing to get a chance to corrupt a child.
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36 Posted by toasterwater on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:14PM EDT Report Abuse
No way ccwpdi (post 38)! Those computers will never see your 1400 needy philipino children. Americans are too worried about the poor starving children of Alabama and California who's bigot parents are too busy posting retarded comments online for them to get access to a computer.
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37 Posted by echeney616@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:51PM EDT Report Abuse
It appears American's as usual do not care about the American poor. Let the Government take are of them. Lets keep our welfare rolls going. Why not give all poor american children this offer instead of our enemies around the world. We have given for years to those around the world who will not develop thier own country but tell our poor to go to work for pennies and quit begging.
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38 Posted by awesome520@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:00PM EDT Report Abuse
i wish i had one of those olpcs they look awesome
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39 Posted by ajtvargas on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:48PM EDT Report Abuse
Wow, alot of negativity! I do agree that we need to provide for our children but hey typical americans all about themselves. I guess they havent figured out that change begins with themselves, if we can reach out from beyond our own borders then we may begin to see change here. Also with all that is going on overseas those kids as well as ours need to be educated about the world around them. Who will run their Government in the future or ours? All children need education you cant put a price tag on that. Maybe this is why the world is so screwed up......Greed, and its all about me attitude will surely destroy a nation, look at ours!!!!!!!
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40 Posted by mb2248@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:12PM EDT Report Abuse
I'll jump in here....first, why DOES America always have to help everyone else in the world...start in your own backyard...and parents, quit complaining about what your kid has or doesn't have....the old saying, God helps those who help themselves....take heed...don't expect anyone to do for you but YOU! Get your children educated first...then, like one of the comments says...these responses will be typed right, grammatically correct, and not an embarrassment to us...
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41 Posted by tamaraluukkonen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:55PM EDT Report Abuse
Just the other day I read an article about this computer and the seling price was going to be $188 per computer (that would $376 for 2). Now, they are sneaking in a price hike in the name of charity. I'll give my money to an organization that I can trust.
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42 Posted by kangelic31 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse
The idea is good, But only exist to cover the fact that the computers where supposed to be $100 and now they are affraid they wont sell. So WE can buy 1 give 1 to another country. Why not buy 1 give 1 to our country. We are always helping others. But in other countries not at home. The problem is the americans have become the minority in in the most part in America. The land of the free right. It is the land of the free only if your not american. If you are american then forget it because you cant afford to live. But if your not then here you go free free free free! College, Welfare, Credit, Jobs, Etc. People are coming to america to get away from there country because they dont like it, But when they get here they want our country to change to their ways and beliefs and teachings. Well we are supposed to be America, But now we are trying to change for the people who run from their own countries and come to ours. I just dont think it is right that America is changing to conform to other nations. We as americans have the right to be americans and not have to worry about the beliefs and rights of other national beliefs in our own country. Dont get me wrong we all have the right to our beliefs, But we should not have to change everything because they fled their country to come to ours. Leave ours schoold and laws the heck alone. They left their own country so they should be conforming to ours not the other way around. Their countries dont conform to ours. America needs to defend its own before we go off fighting for others!!! Maybe people should wake up and ask some questions. This whole laptop thing is an example. They are meant for other contries for their children and our dollars to pay for them. Our children I guess just arent meant to have the oppertunities that we give other countries children. Besides you can buy a new Dell computer for the whole family for $399. Charity should begin at home not you can give at home if you give there first!!!!!
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43 Posted by les126@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:49PM EDT Report Abuse
WHY CAN'T YOU DONATE THE FREE LAPTOP TO A POOR CHILD OR A SCHOOL RIGHT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, WHERE SOME PARENTS CAN NOT EVEN AFFORD TO BUY THE BASIC SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN. DIDN'T YOU EVER HEAR OF THAT OLD SAYING "CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME"! I THOUGHT THE PRIORITY IN EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN IN THE USA WAS "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" UNFORTUNATELY THIS ISN'T WORKING, SO THEREFORE THE CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTRY ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING OVER LOOKED. HAVE YOU LOOKED AROUND THIS COUNTRY TO SEE HOW MANY OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE UNDEVELOPED, AND UNDERSTAFFED OPERATING WITHOUT ENOUGH TEACHERS,BOOKS, ETC.,LET ALONE LAPTOPS AND HOW MANY OF THE TEACHERS THROUGH OUT THIS COUNTRY EVEN OWN LAPTOPS, OR EVEN HAVE ACCESS TO ONE. I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY MANY SCHOOLS THROUGH OUT THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS THAT WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A LAPTOP OR TWO DONATED TO THEM FOR THEIR TEACHERS TO BE ABLE TO EVEN SHARE WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THEIR STUDENTS. THERE IS DEFINETELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PROMOTION!
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44 Posted by smilong@flash.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:28PM EDT Report Abuse
these things are awsome! im just a kid and all the laptops are like 1000 dollers i realy would like to buy one! sadly i only got 250$ :(
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45 Posted by smilong@flash.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:28PM EDT Report Abuse
plz put them back on 100$
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26 Posted by mommaluvskdra07 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:25PM EDT Report Abuse
I am a single mom with three children. I love to help others and always do so when I am $ able and most times even when I am not. I am currently trying to find a job so that I can purchase a car and relocate to a real home for my children. I wish that I could purchase a laptop for a needy child, but right now, my children are the needy ones. We are not starving and we are not on the street, for which I am truly grateful. There are others in worse shape than I. But I agree that help should begin in our own back yard. This offer allow you to donate to other children in other countries and also to a child in the US; kind of a "catch" if you look at it! Plus, where do those who need a laptop who live in 'Alabama' sign up to get one? Seems that that kind of info would be important in this plea for 'laptop' buy one - get one. I for one am grateful that the American people can help other country's children who are in need; but it seems that food, clothing and shelter would be a better way to help those who are without those necessities in other countries rather than to give them laptop computers. Let's always be giving to those in need, but help your HOME CHILDREN first, then move on to other country's.