OLPC Project Interface Revealed

BogusToo writes to mention an EE Times article describing the interface for the OLPC project laptop. Using some fairly intuitive UI concepts (like simplified web browsers and a chat client), the Linux-based system attempts to do away with the kludgey parts of computer use. A video demo of the interface has been placed on YouTube. From the article: "Earlier postings around the Internet have also shown how the physical design of the laptop has changed, including the elimination of the much touted on-board hand crank that was supposed to power the cheap, lime green laptop. It's still there, reportedly, but has now been moved to the power adapter. The OLPC's produced earlier this week in Shanghai still need to go through loads of testing, such as knocking them off desks and dropping them in mud, as kids are wont to do. They may also be kicked around, like soccer balls, a popular sport in 99.9 percent of the world."

Comments

This is ridiculous.

[Zweideutig]

Why are we doing this? These people don't need computers. They need more medical attention and food donations. If we give these people everything they want beyond what is needed for immediate survival, they will never feel a need to become self sufficient. This is global welfare gone bad.

Re:This is ridiculous.

[Zweideutig]

My point is that we shouldn't be wasting our money on other people, we should be helping ourselves.