I totally agree with Siju on this. Living in a 3rd world country, as I guess he also lives, I am pretty sure that a laptop isn't at all important for disadvantaged children, as said.
REAL need in our countries are, as previously said, for food, health care and good education. The most urgent of them all is for food, so I could bet anything that a "disadvantaged children" wouldn't think twice if he/she could sell the useless laptop in exchange for some money, or such. Moreover, there isn't easy access to internet connections in 3rd world countries, so the laptop is even MORE useless than ever. All that said, these "disadvantaged children" talk is clearly a load of bullshit. No doubt OLPC is after money, and only that. PS: I feel happy everyday to read the emails at [EMAIL PROTECTED] it reinforces my beliefs in truly Free software and, of course, in OpenBSD. Keep it up! On 10/6/06, Siju George <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On 10/6/06, Jack J. Woehr <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Free and open software is a means to an end, rather than the > > sole end unto itself for OLPC. > > > > I was totally stunned by this admission. "morally bankrupt", as Bob > > says, is exactly what is going on. > > Hmm, sounds like you are saying that abstract goal of unlimited > software freedom is > a higher goal than providing access to modern technology to > disadvantaged children in > 3rd-world countries. > If the real concern is for *disadvantaged children* in third world countries then giving them a laptop is the most ridiculous idea ever orginated! Some time back I saw a cartoon. One of the 3rd world countries blasted their nuclear bomb and was proud of it. Proud that they were in par with the others in the West. While their people were still begging and starving in the streets and villages. The cartoon showed a poor beggar sitting on the street with torn clothes with the beggars basin to reveive a missile sent to it. In the third world the basic necissities are food, water, clothing, shelter, medical care etc. Disadvantaged children could care less about a stupid laptop when they have had no meal for a week and are tired of the sun while watching their siblings dying of cholera. Getting a laptop to a child for low cost seems to be a noble idea on the outside. add a *3rd-world country* phase and you get a more polished *charity painted/noble* image. I don't think OLPC it that great!. It is another form of business. They have seen a market. They want to reach it. thats all! Mostly people who applaude such endeavours *do not have any idea* of the issues of the third world countries. I am not angry Jack. But When I find people *over nobleizing* at the expense of the 3rd world countries I think I need to say this. Kind Regards Siju
-- Felipe Brant Scarel PATUX/OpenBSD Project Leader (http://www.patux.cic.unb.br)
