I just got my new OLPC XO laptop as part of their Buy 1 Get 1 program. I wanted to let my friends and colleagues know about this great effort techno-charitable initiative (though I'm sure many, if not most of you are already familiar with it).
Perhaps like me you've been following news stories about the One Laptop Per Child initiative that was started by M.I.T. Media Lab's founder, Nicholas Negroponte. The laptop they've produced was designed by fuseproject in collaboration with Design Continuum. Pentagram also did some of the design. The laptop's interface is pretty cool, I think. I've been playing with. I just jumped in (I never read anything before starting to play with something), and though it takes a bit of poking around, there's so much awesome and fun stuff on it! I think it's something that would really interest the Industrial and Interaction Design folks out there. Right now I'm jamming along with a cow, a rainstick, drum, cricket, and digeridoo. These laptops can automatically create their own mesh network, so I was hoping that if any of the rest of you that have one and are coming to Interaction08, we can play together! I'm definitely bringing mine! The OLPC program has been conducting trials in the developing world, and the results have been astounding. The laptop is designed to be readable in full sunlight, and has been ruggedized to withstand the typical use kids will dish out. It allows regular wireless internet connectivity, along with the device-to-device mesh network connectivity. It also has a still and video camera. It's really a remarkable little device. http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/index.php One learning child. One connected child. One laptop at a time. The mission of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is to empower the children of developing countries to learn by providing one connected laptop to every school-age child. In order to accomplish our goal, we need people who believe in what we’re doing and want to help make education for the world’s children a priority, not a privilege. Between November 12 and November 26, OLPC is offering a Give One Get One program in the United States and Canada. During this time, you can donate the revolutionary XO laptop to a child in a developing nation, and also receive one for the child in your life in recognition of your contribution. More links on the OLPC Foundation's vision: http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/vision.php http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/explore.php http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/learning-around-the-world.php So if you're looking for an awesome way to do something to make a difference this holiday season, I urge you to consider taking part in this. Happy Holidays and I'll look forward to seeing everyone at Interaction08 in Savannah! Jim James Leftwich, IDSA CXO - Chief Experience Officer SeeqPod, Inc. Emeryville, California http://www.seeqpod.com Orbit Interaction Palo Alto, California http://www.orbitnet.com ________________________________________________________________ *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
