Jobs offers Mac OS X for $100 Laptop

[joeboy_45101]

This is an excellent offer. I don't believe that it had any marketing motives behind it. This organization needed an OS and Apple has a perfectly good one available, and for no charge. But, I do think it is going to take more than a $100 dollar laptop and free OS to get these children ahead in life. It's going to take things like Fair Trade and Managed Economic Growth.

 

[javierbds]

"We declined because it's not open source," says Dr. Papert

Is AMD open source ?
This is a lost opportunity to make more open hardware arch ...
(the free (beer) wins the over the free (open))

Hardware is software that has crystallized too early (Alan Kay dixit).

Although I agree open source is the way to go about it, I don't think the hardware side of things is very open ... Can I market an x86 processor without paying any royalties to Intel or AMD ?

They should be using SPARCs !!! (but then check the price of a sparc notebook from Sun ...)

Well, 3WC are gonna get 3WC usability : Linux (I know they have improved in the last 10 years a lot). But if linux (or most OSS) was usable I would not be here and I would not have OS X ...

 

[50548]

What does this have to do with anything? I never said Bush was anything good.

I'm glad you think that the dictators of 3rd world countries are such saints and would do what they say with handouts.

Please spare us from the "generic (and moronic)" (your words) American bashing.

You watch CNN or what for your daily newsfeed?

Do you have any idea about how many "3rd world" countries are out there? And how many of them are ruled by "dictators"?

Do you still think that Brazil, India, Thailand and countless others are "dictatorships"? Step out of your hole, U.S. fanboy, and stop believing in everything Mama Condoleezza, Richard Perle, Wolfowitz, Pat Robertson and others tell ya; and before attacking others, learn how to take care of your own wasted/violent turf in Louisiana, Florida and D.C..

Alas, 90% of the so-called "dictators" I have seen on this world were gladly supported by your "democracy" (including your hero Saddam Hussein), a country that doesn't even know how to count its own votes...and if you were really a "democracy", prisoners in Guantánamo would at least have an idea of what the Geneva Convention is all about.

p.s.: no need to PM me if you are to make the same great remarks in public.

 

[aussie_geek]

The way I see it is the $100 laptop will be a souped up Speak 'n Spell. It will be implemented so that kids in undeveloped countries will be able to understand the concept of a computer.

The use of Linux seems totally logical as that OS can be freely modified. The OS and base apps would be hard wired to the motherboard with the provision of being upgraded with additional modules using flash based memory.

The computer does not need all the functionality of a mainstream OS, just something with a graphical user interface and simple networking. Fair enough, Apple offered their OS but it would be a complete overkill.

Finding the software to run on this project is not the problem.

Finding the children who would benefit from this is not the problem.

Finding the companies who are willing to put out some cash to make this happen is the problem.

There should be no cost involved in making this thing. I can think of 10 companies worldwide with billion dollar surpluses off the top of my head who can fund this project......

 

[Object-X]

Mind your language, man!
If you think that Linux is "overly complex" (it's not more or less complex than Win or OSX) or "inferior" (it'll definitely be on par to OS X on these wonderfully pre-configured Notebooks!) you're not in the position to call anyone an idiot.

greetz,
-lex

If the idea is to provide third world children an inexpensive computer then putting the most user friendly and intuitive OS makes sense, especially if it is free. The fact that they rejected it because they want to "tinker" with it proves this is less about helping people and more about pushing their open source idealism, thus, my opinion is they are idiots; they can't look past themselves and do what is best for the people they are presumably trying to help! It's my opinion and I'm free to express it.

 

[Bern]

But will this be available to children in other countries???

 

[Some_Big_Spoon]

I respectfully disagree. The machines aren't designed to be "'rev'ed" and there's no more developed, stable, GUIed OS out there. Drivers are built in, machine has virtually infinte up time, protected memory support, seamless networking.. the list goes on.

I really fail to see how Red Hat can provide this. I've used Red Hat for years and even at the professional level it requires an immense amount of tinkering and tuning. I think they were high on the open-source hog and the "it's good enough" ethic that holds back computer usage/expertise.

Refusing was a good idea. MacOS X would never run well on this machine, and they'd have to rely on (i.e. wait for) Apple for updates whenever they wanted to rev the machine.

 

[Peace]

I think some people are missing the real point to this.
Jobs offered OSX.We dont know if that version was OSx86 or PPC or for that matter a new type streamlined build.
The real point here is Jobs offered it.
This tells me his mindset..
Somewhere in the back of his brain he's contemplating releasing OSx86 for "specific" types of hardware..
In 2 years OSx86 will be on a LOT of computers.Legally.
Just my $.02

 

[generik]

I think Steve is warming up to the idea of MacOS on x86

 

[Cactii]

I agree

The way I see it is the $100 laptop will be a souped up Speak 'n Spell. It will be implemented so that kids in undeveloped countries will be able to understand the concept of a computer.

The use of Linux seems totally logical as that OS can be freely modified. The OS and base apps would be hard wired to the motherboard with the provision of being upgraded with additional modules using flash based memory.

The computer does not need all the functionality of a mainstream OS, just something with a graphical user interface and simple networking. Fair enough, Apple offered their OS but it would be a complete overkill.

Finding the software to run on this project is not the problem.

Finding the children who would benefit from this is not the problem.

Finding the companies who are willing to put out some cash to make this happen is the problem.

There should be no cost involved in making this thing. I can think of 10 companies worldwide with billion dollar surpluses off the top of my head who can fund this project......

I agree, OSX would be overkill. Redhat Linux can be modified for this specific hardware. I don't think you'll get the most powerful laptop for $100, so some kind of modified Linux version makes perfect sense. As for Mr. Jobs offering OSX. well I think it was a business move. Nothing else, to show the world. "We care about the 3rd world as well"

 

[sjo]

Step out of your cave, and stop believing that 3rd world governments give a rat's ass about anything other than staying in power.

And you think eg US government is giving rat's ass about something else? Yeah right

 

[Gasu E.]

Your previous post was something that would come out of the mouthes of a politican. Not all African governments are corrupt, a lot yes, but not all ( as you did actually put across ). This suitation is slowly improving.
.

Actually, please check out last week's The Economist. Pretty much all African governments are corrupt, although the level of corruption varies; and although it did appear that things were getting better in some countries, it now appears that things are getting worse again.

And, just to clarify that other issue: 65% of Americans are fed up with Bush.

And, regardless of all of the above, I think the $100 laptop is a good idea, for parts of the world at least. Rural India, for example.

 

[noreturn]

Give me a break....they wouldn't keep the laptops. They would keep the money that would be used to buy them. Step out of your cave, and stop believing that 3rd world governments give a rat's ass about anything other than staying in power.

WTF? Oh, OK. So they'll keep the money and pretend to buy the $100 laptops. Tell me what the hell this has to do with the program, then? The same strategy can be applied to any major purchase, not just these computers.

 

[Peace]

I agree, OSX would be overkill. Redhat Linux can be modified for this specific hardware. I don't think you'll get the most powerful laptop for $100, so some kind of modified Linux version makes perfect sense. As for Mr. Jobs offering OSX. well I think it was a business move. Nothing else, to show the world. "We care about the 3rd world as well"

What would have happened had they accepted Job's offer?

 

[macpro2000]

Gosh, bushisms really abound in the "land of the free"...are you the same guys that defend torture of "terrorists", deny hidden CIA torture centers in Europe or think Bush is a clean guy? Get a grip and spare us from such generic (and moronic) remarks, please...

In my opinion, we are probably being too nice to these people we've captured. Who cares if we strip them if it gives us info which helps save our soldiers. I would also hope we have centers that the rest of the world didn't know about so we can conduct our side of the war without stupid media butting in. We are at war with these idiots of people and could and probably should just kill them and make it simple. It's either them or us. If you have a family or friend over there, who are you rooting for???

 

[mhouse]

What Conversation Are You In?

Your previous post was something that would come out of the mouthes of a politican. Not all African governments are corrupt, a lot yes, but not all ( as you did actually put across ). This suitation is slowly improving.

You think GW Bush always does what is right for the american citizen? Nope.. Just like all other governments of the world - all of them have their own agendas.

What is your obsession with George Bush? Did *anyone* on this thread start talking about how great Bush is? Not that I saw anywhere.

I think its a neat idea so why not try it. Its not going to do much good, I think, for just the reasons that have been discussed. A lot of the "third world" has better educational standards than we do in America. Poverty has more to do with failed political systems and corruption than it does with lack of tech access.

But, again, it doesn't hurt to try I suppose.

 

[Peace]

This discussion is about OSX being offered NOT politics.Lets please leave politics out of this..

 

[wordmunger]

Clearing up several misconceptions on this thread:

• The computers *will* have hard drives. They are teaching tools -- how can teaching be accomplished without the ability to save data?
• The computers will be more than glorified "speak and spells." The point is to offer modern computing without the bloat of a modern OS. The monitors will be rad -- viewable with a standard backlit screen, but also in broad daylight
• The computers will be sharp-looking, but also very distinctive. The point is for them to be recognizable as educational machines, to reduce the potential of theft/reselling
• Open-source is a fundamental, inviolable principle of the project. Open-source software allows for maximum investment in hardware. Then the computers can be filled with free, open-source textbooks, so instead of paying hundreds of dollars for textbooks, schools can buy computers once and have access to a limitless supply of educational information.

 

[generik]

If the idea is to provide third world children an inexpensive computer then putting the most user friendly and intuitive OS makes sense, especially if it is free. The fact that they rejected it because they want to "tinker" with it proves this is less about helping people and more about pushing their open source idealism, thus, my opinion is they are idiots; they can't look past themselves and do what is best for the people they are presumably trying to help! It's my opinion and I'm free to express it.

It is nothing to do with open source idealism..

So, 10 years down the road when Steve decides to change his mind and charge a royalty for his "Idiotic Property", what then? All their children and now workers are trained to use that platform, which all of a sudden is creating a huge cost to doing business there.

And please don't tell me about how for a typical business wages are the largest component of cost. For those third world countries the price of a USD$2000 PM will probably buy a HOUSE there and feed a family for decades. It just doesn't equate.

And hence it is understandable why they want to stay open, there is no telling that Steve won't be like Bill.

 

[Gasu E.]

You watch CNN or what for your daily newsfeed?

Do you have any idea about how many "3rd world" countries are out there? And how many of them are ruled by "dictators"?

Do you still think that Brazil, India, Thailand and countless others are "dictatorships"? Step out of your hole, U.S. fanboy, and stop believing in everything Mama Condoleezza, Richard Perle, Wolfowitz, Pat Robertson and others tell ya; and before attacking others, learn how to take care of your own wasted/violent turf in Louisiana, Florida and D.C..

Alas, 90% of the so-called "dictators" I have seen on this world were gladly supported by your "democracy" (including your hero Saddam Hussein), a country that doesn't even know how to count its own votes...and if you were really a "democracy", prisoners in Guantánamo would at least have an idea of what the Geneva Convention is all about.

p.s.: no need to PM me if you are to make the same great remarks in public.

Sigh, Mr. Bush has been a great gift to Euro-America bashers. Please let us know which sclerotic nation you hail from, BR, so we can bash back. Thank you.

 

[Gasu E.]

consider this deleted!!

Undoubtedly, the wisest thing anyone has said in this thread!

 

[iMeowbot]

The computers *will* have hard drives. They are teaching tools -- how can teaching be accomplished without the ability to save data?

The specification is 1GB of flash. No hard drive. RAM is planned to be 256 MB.

 

[Peace]

The specification is 1GB of flash. No hard drive.

How would one stuff 3gigs of an OS into a 1gig Flash ?

 

[granex]

Basic needs

This is nice and all but, I think that things like food, clean water, and shelters are better to start with, then get some laptops to them

Not to sound too Republican, but giving them food is not going to help them grow their way out of poverty. The means need to change or there will be no change in the ends. Remember the old saying about teaching a person to fish versus giving them fish.

 

[oober_freak]

In my opinion, we are probably being too nice to these people we've captured. Who cares if we strip them if it gives us info which helps save our soldiers. I would also hope we have centers that the rest of the world didn't know about so we can conduct our side of the war without stupid media butting in. We are at war with these idiots of people and could and probably should just kill them and make it simple. It's either them or us. If you have a family or friend over there, who are you rooting for???

That was a very harsh comment. I am sorry.. but that wasn't exactly out of a rational person's mind. If you want me to comment on it.. fine i'll do it..

I don't understand why do you ppl have to call poor countries as third-world countries? a few years back my country was called a third-world country too... thankfully, now you call it developing. what the hell is this third-world?

Can't you just term them as poor countries? Or is that too difficult to spell?

As for Iraq.. wasn't it attacked for WMDs.. whatever they were.