Netbooks: Performance Review June 17, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, OLPC, Opinion.add a comment
Nice article from CNET Webare testing out many popular free web applications on netbooks. Turns out they perform quite well with just one exception:
So is it worth buying one now, or waiting? As with any computer purchase, it depends on your needs. If you’re OK not viewing HD videos, it does everything else, and does it well.
So unless you need 3D imaging or high definition video, a netbook might be a reasonable choice, especially if it isn’t your only computer. For students? A dedicated lab for higher end work would be in order, but for most work in the classroom, where it should be about the learning and not about the technology, netbooks would work just fine.
How well do Netbooks work with Web apps? | Webware – CNET
Netbook Roundup April 13, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Hardware, OLPC.add a comment
In case you are interested in the whole netbook class of laptops, either for personal use or as student laptops, here is a review of 19 netbooks that run for $350 or less. How would you use one? As primary computer, or as a travel laptop, or something else?
Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/egansnow/271941148/
OVPC – I Hope Not November 5, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Humor, OLPC.add a comment
One Velociraptor per Child is a darkly humorous parody of OLPC, which I’ve written about many times. At least I hope it is a parody. My thanks to Bryan Alexander for this link.
One Internet Device Per Child July 21, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Hardware, OLPC, Opinion.2 comments
TechCrunch is proposing a simple web tablet device that looks like the screen portion of a Mac Book Air but with a coloring style that reminds me of the original iMac. It might make a good addition to the backpack I mentioned in my last post. $200 is the target price for this edition of hardware that we wished existed but doesn’t. If it does get built, I wonder how much it might cost, and whether or not there will be a kit that can be purchased to build my own. The article suggests that Firefox act as the OS, but I’m not sure we need to kill off the desktop just yet. Maybe we should make the OS more like a backpack instead of a desktop though.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/21/we-want-a-dead-simple-web-tablet-help-us-build-it/
OLPC XO Part 2 May 20, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, OLPC.add a comment
PC World has pictures of the proposed 2nd generation XO, the laptop part of the One Laptop Per Child project. It looks really cool. Instead of a keyboard, it has a software-based touch screen. It reminds be of the Nintendo DS. The unit can be flipped to the side to hold like a book. Best of all, the target price is only $75. Don’t get your credit cards out quite yet though. The XO-2 isn’t expected to be available until 2010.
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/006986.html
OLPC – Total Confusion May 15, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, OLPC.add a comment
I used to think the One Laptop Per Child was a noble endeavor, but after reading the linked article below, I have to say I’m not so sure. This insider article is peppered with four-letter invectives, so please be prepared. It is still important reading for anyone interested in deploying a one-to-one laptop initiative, especially if you are considering the XO as your laptop of choice. Thanks to a tweet from Andy Carvin.
As far as I know, there is no real study anywhere that demonstrates constructionism works at scale. There is no documented moderate-scale constructionist learning pilot that has been convincingly successful; when Nicholas points to “decades of work by Seymour Papert, Alan Kay, and Jean Piaget”, he’s talking about theory.
There are three key problems in one-to-one computer programs: choosing a suitable device, getting it to children, and using it to create sustainable learning and teaching experiences. They’re listed in order of exponentially increasing difficulty.
Nicholas’ new OLPC is dropping those pesky education goals from the mission and turning itself into a 50-person nonprofit laptop manufacturer, competing with Lenovo, Dell, Apple, Asus, HP and Intel on their home turf, and by using the one strategy we know doesn’t work. But hey, I guess they’ll sell more laptops that way.
So here’s to open learning, to free software, to strength of personal conviction, and to having enough damn humility to remember that the goal is bringing learning to a billion children across the globe. The billion waiting for us to put our idiotic trifles aside, end our endless yapping, and get to it already.
ivan krstić · code culture » Sic Transit Gloria Laptopi
$100 Laptop Roundup April 25, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Hardware, OLPC.add a comment
Liliputing has put together a fairly comprehensive list of low-cost ultraportable laptops. There are several on the list I’ve never heard of, but for some reason doesn’t include the XO although it is mentioned in the reviews of other laptops. The whole site is a terrific resource for anyone looking for more information about small inexpensive laptops.
http://www.liliputing.com/2008/04/over-past-six-months-or-so-asus-everex_24.html
$100 Laptop – HP and Dell Style – $500 April 11, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in OLPC.add a comment
HP and Dell are also getting in on the lower cost laptops initially aimed at the developing world and education markets. I think this trend is really catching on and hope it continues.
HP low cost laptop preview from eSchool News:
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=53439
Dell low cost laptop preview from TechSpot:
http://www.techspot.com/news/29659-Dell-to-join-lowcost-ultraportable-notebook-race.html
