Jim Panttaja

This is a project that we have had an eye on for awhile: One Laptop Per Child. Their original goal was to create a computer that would cost under $100. But the real goal is summed up in this part of their mission statement:

OLPC is a non-profit organization providing a means to an end—an end that sees children in even the most remote regions of the globe being given the opportunity to tap into their own potential, to be exposed to a whole world of ideas, and to contribute to a more productive and saner world community.

So the computer is just a tool in this effort.

There is a special promotion starting on November 12th – their Give One, Get One program. For $400, you get one XO laptop, and donate one to a child in the developing world. You also receive a $200 tax deduction. And – yet – there’s more (from the letter we received from them):

Additionally, T-Mobile is offering donors one year of complimentary access to T-Mobile HotSpot locations throughout the United States, which can be used from any Wi-Fi-capable device, including the XO laptop.

It is worth getting one (perhaps to give to your child or grandchild) just to open your mind up to what it makes possible:

Mesh networks

Incredible power consumtion

Cool power generation devices

Python, Logo

An Rss reader

A Wiki

The capabilities are incredible – spend some time on the site – and then imagine what you can do with yours – and imagine what a child in the developing world can do with theirs. Maybe you need to buy two and give two…

[Update 12 November 2007]

Bob Zurek has also commented on this program.