I'd like to add useful monitoring capabilities to that list.
I like your idea of subnetting from the WAP; I would definitely use that if I were to share my connection with my neighbors. I'd also want to know how much traffic is going through each network.
If such a monitoring capability exists now, could anyone recommend an app that does this? I'm going to try an app called NADetector when I get home.
If I understand correctly, sending things like credit card and bank account numbers over an unsecured WAP connection is particularly risky. Granted, the author makes a good point about the likelihood of someone with a packet sniffer hanging around one's neighborhood vs. a coffee shop. But is it worth the risk?
Just by default it's probably safer than heaping 6 people onto a moped.
Adding cars to their infrastructure will either make things even more chaotic (if that's possible) or force municipalities to finally adopt and enforce trafic laws. I'm not particularly optimistic about the latter, though there is a chance.
If you want to criticize the "let them eat cake" mentality, start speaking out about the absurdity of the OLPC project.
Ain't THAT the truth! Good luck with that around here, though. Speaking out against OLPC makes you an instant pariah.
In other words, "I am either unable or unwilling to refute your point that anti-Microsoft fervor could deny kids a valuable learning tool, and consider insults and attacks an acceptable substitute for debate."
I see you're interested in a reasonable, polite discussion.
And yes, I am well aware of why Slashbots fervently hate Microsoft. I still don't see why, other than religious zealotry, that people would deny impoverished kids an educational tool simply because it uses Microsoft. That kind of spite is seldom found outside of religious institutions.
I figured this would be the answer, and I'm not going to argue that that isn't the case. I just don't see it as a deal-breaker. Refusing low-priced laptops because they run Windows is as misguided, IMHO, as refusing vital food aid because some of it contains genetically-engineered crops (and that happens on a regular basis in Africa).
Who cares? I thought this project was to get educational tools into the hands of people who couldn't otherwise afford it, not a platform from which to push a social IT philosophy.
People like what you do. You have an audience. Congratulations. That's what you wanted. Oh, you want money? Do us a favour and pick another line of work.
So you believe all digital works should be produced for free-as-in-beer? Good luck getting people to drink that RMS Kool-Aid.
Between the small keyboard, the small screen and the lack of support for any non-Linux O/S. I think a warlord is going to be very disappointed what he can accomplish with these computers.
I agree with most of your post. However the taking of information out of people's hands, by itself, is an effective means of maintaining poverty and oppression. The final disposition of the OLPCs is irrelevant at that point.
And when the local warlord rounds up all these laptops to sell them for arms money, what good will all that valuable information do?
Education is indeed on the path out of poverty. Unfortunately in many areas targeted for the OLPC, other hurdles must be overcome before education (and realizing the potential of the OLPC) is possible.
I still can't shake the feeling that this entire OLPC project is an enormous waste of money, intended more to assuage misplaced Western guilt than to bring about any fundamental change in impoverished areas.
Poverty isn't caused by a lack of computers, and I doubt cheap computers are going to solve the problem. There are far greater political factors perpetuating poverty that need to be addressed first. Until then, the tangible value of this kind of charity is dubious.
Do you oppose 12-step alcoholism treatment programs and drugs that help smokers quit on the same grounds?
And this may surprise you, but people make moral judgements about others all the time. That's hardly a violation of their rights. In fact, I'm going to make a moral judgement about you; that I think your opposition to a potential treatment for a debilitating disease makes you ignorant at best. I guess I'll be hearing from your lawyer shortly.
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I'd like to add useful monitoring capabilities to that list.
I like your idea of subnetting from the WAP; I would definitely use that if I were to share my connection with my neighbors. I'd also want to know how much traffic is going through each network.
If such a monitoring capability exists now, could anyone recommend an app that does this? I'm going to try an app called NADetector when I get home.
Good point; I should have thought of that! Thanks.
If I understand correctly, sending things like credit card and bank account numbers over an unsecured WAP connection is particularly risky. Granted, the author makes a good point about the likelihood of someone with a packet sniffer hanging around one's neighborhood vs. a coffee shop. But is it worth the risk?
Maneuverability doesn't really help a motorcycle's riders when there are 4 more than the cycle was designed to accomodate.
Just by default it's probably safer than heaping 6 people onto a moped.
Adding cars to their infrastructure will either make things even more chaotic (if that's possible) or force municipalities to finally adopt and enforce trafic laws. I'm not particularly optimistic about the latter, though there is a chance.
If you want to criticize the "let them eat cake" mentality, start speaking out about the absurdity of the OLPC project.
Ain't THAT the truth! Good luck with that around here, though. Speaking out against OLPC makes you an instant pariah.
That's what competition is for. If the Wintel product is inferior, it simply won't sell.
I find it confusing that a social community that (by and large) purports to embrace freedom of choice is so against anything that competes with FOSS.
In other words, "I am either unable or unwilling to refute your point that anti-Microsoft fervor could deny kids a valuable learning tool, and consider insults and attacks an acceptable substitute for debate."
Right, because there is an unlimited supply of conductive metals out there that has rendered copper virtually worthless, right?
No, you sociopath.
I see you're interested in a reasonable, polite discussion.
And yes, I am well aware of why Slashbots fervently hate Microsoft. I still don't see why, other than religious zealotry, that people would deny impoverished kids an educational tool simply because it uses Microsoft. That kind of spite is seldom found outside of religious institutions.
So the OLPC project is a religious crusade? Wonderful! And here I thought we were just trying to get educational tools into the hands of children.
I figured this would be the answer, and I'm not going to argue that that isn't the case. I just don't see it as a deal-breaker. Refusing low-priced laptops because they run Windows is as misguided, IMHO, as refusing vital food aid because some of it contains genetically-engineered crops (and that happens on a regular basis in Africa).
Who cares? I thought this project was to get educational tools into the hands of people who couldn't otherwise afford it, not a platform from which to push a social IT philosophy.
People like what you do. You have an audience. Congratulations. That's what you wanted. Oh, you want money? Do us a favour and pick another line of work.
So you believe all digital works should be produced for free-as-in-beer? Good luck getting people to drink that RMS Kool-Aid.
Furthermore, if a candidate's stance on video games is a major factor in your choice, do the rest of us a favor and don't vote at all.
Between the small keyboard, the small screen and the lack of support for any non-Linux O/S. I think a warlord is going to be very disappointed what he can accomplish with these computers.
I agree with most of your post. However the taking of information out of people's hands, by itself, is an effective means of maintaining poverty and oppression. The final disposition of the OLPCs is irrelevant at that point.
And when the local warlord rounds up all these laptops to sell them for arms money, what good will all that valuable information do?
Education is indeed on the path out of poverty. Unfortunately in many areas targeted for the OLPC, other hurdles must be overcome before education (and realizing the potential of the OLPC) is possible.
Looks like log1385 can claim prior art.
I still can't shake the feeling that this entire OLPC project is an enormous waste of money, intended more to assuage misplaced Western guilt than to bring about any fundamental change in impoverished areas.
Poverty isn't caused by a lack of computers, and I doubt cheap computers are going to solve the problem. There are far greater political factors perpetuating poverty that need to be addressed first. Until then, the tangible value of this kind of charity is dubious.
Yeah, I see what ya did there. Now if only that actually stopped people from pirating!
The moral of the story is that no matter how bad a product is, people will take it if they can get it for free.
Guess you missed the "Somewhat similar legislation recently became law in Germany." part.
...and find solace in Europe, where reasonable government and personal liberty reign supreme! ...wait, what?
What about a vaccine for homosexuality or ambition? The vaccine presumes that there is something "diseased" about a cocaine user.
Addiction is a disease.
Do you oppose 12-step alcoholism treatment programs and drugs that help smokers quit on the same grounds?
And this may surprise you, but people make moral judgements about others all the time. That's hardly a violation of their rights. In fact, I'm going to make a moral judgement about you; that I think your opposition to a potential treatment for a debilitating disease makes you ignorant at best. I guess I'll be hearing from your lawyer shortly.
Twit.
it is quite likely that courts will soon force this on people that are caught with it against their will.
And until that happens, your post is groundless speculation that adds little value to a frank discussion of the pros and cons of this vaccine.
Used as an involuntary jab to fight the idiotic 'war on drugs' it is a clear violation of civil and cognitive liberty
What the hell are you talking about? How is the availability of a vaccine a violation of anyone's rights?
Used as part of a rehab programme, it kills the drug use without addressing the underlying weakness of character that created the addict.
Or it could finally get an addicted person clean, after which he/she has no desire to put him/her self back in that state of dependency.
I'm no fan of the "War on Drugs", but there is some really dumb hostility towards this development.
Who would actually want it? If I'm not a coke user, I won't need it. If I am a coke user, I won't want it.
Oh, I dunno... perhaps people who are addicted to coke and don't want to be anymore?