Feel good thoughts...

26 September 2007

Brilliant!

Here is an easy feel good for all of us, and at a very reasonable price.

One Laptop Per Child, an ambitious project to bring computing to the developing world’s children, has considerable momentum. Years of work by engineers and scientists have paid off in a pioneering low-cost machine that is light, rugged and surprisingly versatile. The early reviews have been glowing, and mass production is set to start next month.

One of the machines will be given to a child in a developing nation, and the other one will be shipped to the purchaser by Christmas. The donated computer is a tax-deductible charitable contribution. The program will run for two weeks, with orders accepted from Nov. 12 to Nov. 26.

In spite of the potential for learning and communication this could portend, the orders for the machines from the countries that need them most have been slow. The company has come up with a promotional idea that I think is brilliant. You buy one computer at 399usd, and get one free! You can then give that computer to a needy child or use it in your own family. The computers are simple and rugged – built for the third world. The program is only in the U.S. and Canada during 12 – 26 November 2007. I am thinking if you are in another country you can find a way to purchase one. I’m going to have Q order for me.

For example, if donations reach $40 million, that would mean 100,000 laptops could be distributed free in the developing world. The idea would be to give perhaps 5,000 machines to 20 countries to try out and get started.

Find the complete article here. There’s a great way to expunge anything you feel bad for doing this year! If you’ve been perfect, here’s a way to continue..



And speaking of presents – I have two more! You people are too kind to me. I do hope you all know how much each award means to me, that you thought of me. I appreciate it very much. I shall have to order a special trophy case from Second Life to hold my goodies, but for now I have them secured on my Data Pages.

From Omega Mum, the BodaciousBlog Award, and from Wake up and Smell the Coffee, Blogging that hits the Mark Award. I thank you both, and I pass on BodaciousBlog to Welshcakes, JMB, Mutterings and Meanderings, and i beatrice; and Hits the Mark to Darth, Mountain Mama, Dulwichmum, and the Land of Sand.