I just came across David Pogue's review of the XO laptop. This thing is really looking fantastic. Here is something I didn't know about the laptop:
There are also three programming environments of different degrees of sophistication. Incredibly, one keystroke reveals the underlying code of almost any XO program or any Web page. Students can not only study how their favorite programs have been written, but even experiment by making changes. (If they make a mess of things, they can restore the original.)
There’s real brilliance in this emphasis on understanding the computer itself. Many nations in XO’s market have few natural resources, and the global need for information workers grows with every passing day.
I am thinking I am going to have to get one (or more) with the "give one, get one" program. Wouldn't a laptop like this make sense even in the developed world where old windows laptops are abundant? Think about it -
- ruggedized kid-proof laptop.
- All the apps are designed around collaboration.
- Simple GUI for the wireless mesh network to allow you to find and collaborate with other students in your classroom.
- Features that allow you to understand how the software actually works.
Is there something like this already that I just don't know about? Perhaps a special linux distro that can be throw on all of the old hardware that is lying around. You will miss the cool hardware (Screen that works in sunlight, solar charging, water, dust, drop resistant) but I see the software being just as revolutionary as the hardware.
The video review embedded on the NYT story gives a succinct overview why this laptop is so special.
I'm not the type of person who wastes money, but maybe we should get one of these so we can see it first-hand and understand the implications. If the interface is revolutionary, we could learn a lesson or two from its design. I'd like to have one on display at the TLT Symposium -- just to provoke some discussion.