| Hot Topic: The "One Laptop Per Child" project |
(Updated Jul. 13, 2007)
 The One Laptop Per Child project (OLPC) aims to distribute -- free of charge -- millions of Linux-based laptop computers, complete with their own power sources, to needy children in developing countries around the world.
From the Linux perspective, Nicholas Negroponte, head of the OLPC project and former director of MIT Media Labs -- where the project originated -- has said that the OLPC project could lead to mass adoption of Linux, making the OS as popular on the desktop as it now is on the server.
To date, AMD, eBay, Google, Nortel, Red Hat, and a number of other technology companies have signed on to help support the project. Additionally, Nigeria reportedly has become the first government entity to put in an order -- although the exact nature of the order remains to be determined.
Given the potential significance of the OLPC project to Linux, and more importantly, to the children of developing nations, we thought it would be valuable to create this convenient OLPC "Hot Topic" roundup. Below, you will find brief summaries of news items and articles tracking the progress of the OLPC project, along with a talkback thread for comments and discussion.
We plan to update this roundup on a continuing basis, so be sure to check back now and then to see the latest listings.
Key Features and Specs
The OLPC lists the following key features and specs for the proposed low-cost laptops on its website: - Processor -- AMD Geode GX2-500@1.0W clocked at 366MHz
- Memory -- 128MB of DRAM
- Storage -- no hard drive; instead, the unit will have 512MB of internal nonvolatile "flash memory," used for programs and data storage
- Display -- 7.5-inch "dual-mode" 1200 x 900 pixel display
- Mono display: High-resolution, reflective monochrome mode
- Color display: Standard-resolution, quincunx-sampled, transmissive color mode
- Expansion -- three USB 2.0 ports; SD card slot
- Wireless networking -- built-in 802.11b/g WiFi
- Power supply -- built-in rechargeable battery back with wind-up charger
- System software:
- OS -- a version of Fedora Core Linux is available for testing, but Fedora is not necessarily the shipped OS
- User interface -- Sugar, "a custom built interface designed for the kids"
- Boot environment -- LinuxBIOS
An OLPC Timeline
- Intel joins One Laptop Per Child initiative -- [July 13, 2007] -- The OLPC got a major boost with the announcement that Intel has joined the organization and will serve on its board of directors.
- OLPC comes up with stable Linux build -- [March 19, 2007] -- The One Laptop Per Child program reported today that after 303 builds, it finally has a satisfactory version of its Red Hat Linux-based Sugar operating system that is considered stable, according to OLPC president for software and content Walter Bender.
- Eight nations to test 2,500 OLPC Linux laptops -- [Feb. 13, 2007] -- The One Laptop Per Child project will ship nearly 2,500 of its $150 laptops to eight nations this month, Reuters reported today. The experiment is a prelude to mass production of the kid-friendly, lime-green-and-white laptops scheduled to begin in July, when 5 million will be built.
- OLPC details low-cost laptop Build 2 mods -- [Jan. 22, 2007] -- The One Laptop Per Child project, which demonstrated the first build of the self-powered laptop to a roomful of reporters Jan. 8 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, is now into its second build of the new green machine.
- OLPC mulls 1-for-2 deal on ultra-low-cost Linux laptops -- [Jan. 11, 2007] -- The One Laptop Per Child project is considering an arrangement whereby anyone can buy one of the group's self-powered, low-cost Linux laptops for themselves -- provided they buy a second one for delivery to a child in a developing country.
- OLPC to demo its laptop at CES -- [Jan. 4, 2007] -- The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project will showcase its self-powered, low-cost, XO laptop computer at the 2007 Computer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week. The project aims to distribute -- free of charge -- millions of Linux-based laptops to needy children around the world.
- First OLPC Linux laptops arrive from factory -- [Nov. 28, 2006] -- Chris Blizzard of the One Laptop Per Child project reported on his blog today that the international program headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., has received the first shipment of portable computers intended for children in emerging-economy nations.
- OLPC nears low-cost Linux laptop production -- [Nov. 13, 2006] -- The One Laptop Per Child project's onsite supervisor, Mark Foster, reported from Shanghai on Sunday that the first 10 prototypes of the Linux-powered OLPC XO-1 are up and running. This marks a key milestone toward an upcoming build of 900 units.
- OLPC taps 2.6.19 kernel for first Linux laptop build -- [Nov. 7, 2006] -- The One Laptop Per Child project has decided to utilize a Linux 2.6.19 OLPC kernel with a Red Hat Fedora Core 6 "run-time environment" for the first build of its giveaway portable notebook computer, the Cambridge, Mass.-based project's president for software and content said Sunday.
- Libya to buy 1.2 million Linux laptops? -- [Oct. 12, 2006] -- Libya reportedly plans to purchase 1.2 million low-cost laptops, after signing a deal earlier this week. Libya will pay the OLPC $250 million, according to a story in the New York Times. In return, it will receive 1.2 million OLPC computers for students, one server per school, a team of technical installation advisers, satellite Internet service, and other network infrastructure.
- Brazil nears million Linux laptop order -- [Aug. 28, 2006] -- The OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) project reported Aug. 27 that Brazil is finalizing plans for "all aspects" of its $100 laptop roll-out. Along with Argentina, Nigeria, and Thailand, Brazil had previously indicated interest in purchasing 1 million of the machines for needy children.
- OLPC confirms field tests, other deets -- [Aug. 22, 2006] -- A spokesperson for the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project on Aug. 22 confirmed to DesktopLinux.com a report that 500 field tests of its low-cost, portable, Linux-powered computers will begin in September, with working devices set to begin rolling off the production line in November.
- OLPC may have solved its display problem -- [Aug. 21, 2006] -- The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project reportedly is close to solving one of its top challenges. Mary Lou Jepsen, OLPC's founding CTO, says that the "biggest technology roadblock" to building the $100 laptop -- a rugged, low-power, inexpensive, and readable display -- is nearly solved.
- Four countries may buy 4 million Linux-powered OLPC laptops -- [Aug. 3, 2006] -- A spokesperson for the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program revealed July 31 that the countries of Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, and Thailand have each expressed an interest in purchasing 1 million Linux laptops through the U.S.-based program.
- OLPC a good idea, but questions remain -- [Jun. 22, 2006] -- Despite derision from many analysts, former MIT Media Lab director Nicholas Negroponte's $100 crank-up Linux laptop for poor children around the world is still a very good idea, PCMag.com columnist Lance Ulanoff writes. However, he has some serious doubts about the low-cost laptop's unusual power source.
 - OLPC debuts at Boston meeting -- [Jun. 8, 2006] -- At an event honoring top technology innovations from Massachusetts companies in Boston June 7, Nicholas Negroponte, co-founder of the MIT Media Lab and chairman of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, was inducted into the MITX (Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange) Innovation Hall of Fame. Not surprisingly, Negroponte, a tireless advocate of the OLPC, didn't miss the opportunity to show off the first working model of the "$100 laptop." See this slide show, courtesy of our sister site, eWEEK.com.
- OLPC offers mass adoption of desktop Linux -- [Jun. 7, 2006] -- Negroponte told the audience on the final day of Red Hat's annual user summit in Nashville, Tenn., June 5, that his project will make Linux as popular on the desktop as it now is on the server. Negroponte reportedly said the OLPC project will lead to mass adoption of the operating system -- but only if the operating system and applications on it are efficient and usable enough. As of June 6, however, the project has yet to select the Linux brand and an app package.
- Puppy Linux founder comments on the OLPC project -- [May 15, 2006] -- Because of Red Hat's status a major sponsor early in the process. most observers believe that some form of Red Hat Linux will power the laptops -- most likely Fedora Core, Red Hat's community distribution. However, no official word has emerged from the OLPC project regarding which Linux OS will, in fact, be used. Puppy Linux, one of the smallest-footprint distributions available, has stepped up to the feeding dish (as it were), offering its services to the project.
- China offers $150 answer to MIT's $100 OLPC -- [Apr. 21, 2006] -- LinuxDevices.com reports that a Chinese company is touting an inexpensive Linux-based computer as a way to close the "digital divide." YellowSheepRiver's $150 "Municator" appears to be available now, with a three-month leadtime, suggesting it could reach market before MIT's $100 "One Laptop Per Child" (OLPC) device.
- One Laptop per Child's Negroponte to keynote LinuxWorld -- [Mar. 14, 2006] -- Nicholas Negroponte, chairman of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) and former head of MIT's Media Lab, headlined the lineup of keynote speakers at LinuxWorld in April, 2006 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
- Taiwan's Quanta selected to build $100 Linux laptop -- [Dec. 15, 2005] -- Taiwan's Quanta Computer has been selected to produce the low-cost Linux laptops for the OLPC project, for eventual distribution to children in developing countries. Quanta reportedly outbid three other manufacturers for the project -- Compal Computer Inc., Inventec Co., and Wistron Corp.
- Effort to give 15 million $100 Linux laptops to school kids gains momentum -- [Sep. 29, 2005] -- Is the idea of producing an ultra-cheap Linux-based laptop computer for schoolkids -- or anybody, for that matter -- just a pie-in-the-sky figment of someone's imagination? It may be, but nonetheless, somebody's trying to do it. An PC Magazine news item introduced MIT's "One Laptop per Child" project that aims to deliver Linux-based $100 laptop computers to children in developing nations and impoverished American students.
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