Linux and Children
Category Linux Nyumbani Open Source
I don't think I'm too biased, but to my thinking Linux and Children are a natural pairing. A few years back it was expected that the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) would provide the blueprints for breaking down the economic divide between the computing have and have-nots. Sadly, OLPC hasn't taken off with the expected velocity required for its world mission of bringing inexpensive, educational computing for children. But, it may have served as the catalyst for the widespread manufacturing of inexpensive laptop hardware, combined with open-source Linux.
In an ironic turn of events, Venezuela has ordered 1,000,000 laptops for use by schoolchildren, using Intel chips and a Linux operating system. It's ironic because the OLPC eventually adopted Windows as a suitable host, but in the end it looks as though Linux carries less political stigma for foreign adoption.
Personally, I have built a childrens computer lab in Kenya at Nyumbani and have seen they "why it makes sense" first hand. With the General Purpose License, Linux isn't just free, it comes with the blueprints. Sure the sourcecode is available, but really its "man," "info" on the desktop and a thousand Linux forums, mailing lists and blogs. The Intellectual Property is completely exposed.
Next to coming with the blueprints, Linux is shipped "Batteries Included." For the current distributions, Linux comes with OpenOffice, Firefox, Gimp, and thousands of other applications. It's the foundation of future education.
I don't think I'm too biased, but to my thinking Linux and Children are a natural pairing. A few years back it was expected that the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) would provide the blueprints for breaking down the economic divide between the computing have and have-nots. Sadly, OLPC hasn't taken off with the expected velocity required for its world mission of bringing inexpensive, educational computing for children. But, it may have served as the catalyst for the widespread manufacturing of inexpensive laptop hardware, combined with open-source Linux.
In an ironic turn of events, Venezuela has ordered 1,000,000 laptops for use by schoolchildren, using Intel chips and a Linux operating system. It's ironic because the OLPC eventually adopted Windows as a suitable host, but in the end it looks as though Linux carries less political stigma for foreign adoption.
Personally, I have built a childrens computer lab in Kenya at Nyumbani and have seen they "why it makes sense" first hand. With the General Purpose License, Linux isn't just free, it comes with the blueprints. Sure the sourcecode is available, but really its "man," "info" on the desktop and a thousand Linux forums, mailing lists and blogs. The Intellectual Property is completely exposed.
Next to coming with the blueprints, Linux is shipped "Batteries Included." For the current distributions, Linux comes with OpenOffice, Firefox, Gimp, and thousands of other applications. It's the foundation of future education.
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