MIT to build $100 laptops for children in developing nations

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: PHIL HOCHMUTH ON LINUX
10/05/05
Today's focus: MIT to build $100 laptops for children in
developing nations

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* MIT's Media Lab works to build inexpensive Linux-based laptops
for children in need
* Links related to Linux
* Featured reader resource
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This newsletter is sponsored by Sybase

It sounds so simple: if you collect enough business information,
you'll glean valuable insights that can drive both revenue
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online data can prove a formidable challenge. Here's how to
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Click here for more on taming the data explosion.
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HOW WILL YOU HANDLE YOUR GROWING NETWORK LOAD?

InfiniBand, EtherFabric and iWarp are all high-speed
interconnect technologies aimed at offloading network
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as users look for alternatives to 10G Ethernet to handle their
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new technologies? For more, click here:
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Today's focus: MIT to build $100 laptops for children in
developing nations

By Phil Hochmuth

MIT's venerable Media Lab recently announced an initiative to
build low-cost Linux-based laptops for school children in
developing nations.

With a $100 targeted price tag, the laptops would run a
scaled-down version of Linux encased in a rugged design. AMD
processors topping out at 500 MHz and a gigabyte of storage are
some of the specs. A carrying strap that doubles as an AC
adapter, even a hand-cranked powering system (1 minute of
cranking gives 10 minutes of computing) are parts of the design.
For connectivity, Wi-Fi and cellular networking components would
be built into the devices, as well as a screen that can switch
between color and high-contras monochrome, for easier viewing
outdoors.

One of the most innovative ideas in the project is in the
networking area. According to the MIT Media Lab, built-in mesh
networking components will allow the devices to form instant
wireless mesh networks. This would allow for peer-to-peer file
sharing, as well as shared Internet connectivity among meshed
nodes.

The initiative is part of the One Laptop per Child (OLPC)
initiative, an idea introduced earlier this year by Internet
pioneer and MIT Media Lab founder Nicholas Negroponte. Some of
the ways Negroponte proposes to cut the costs of the machines is
to streamline the hardware and software installed, or getting
"the fat out of the system" - such as redundant software and
operating system agents, and non-essential hardware. He also
says that large production volumes of the devices made
specifically for foreign education ministries would help give
the project the scale it needs to reach the $100-per-unit cost.
The MIT Media Lab estimates it could have the devices delivered
by late 2006 or early 2007.

Now, one may ask, why not a One Vaccination Per Child (OVPC)
initiative? Or instead, spend $100 per child on nutritional food
or durable clothing. But everyone has their area of expertise,
and the MIT Media Lab's is dreaming up unique technology
innovation. If Negroponte can figure out how to deliver a laptop
to every child, more power to him. Just imagine what else is
might be possible.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Nortel faces uphill battle
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux8174>
2. How to solve Windows system crashes in minutes
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux7694>
3. Cisco pushes new security software
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux8175>
4. Tech Update: High-speed TCP eases WAN congestion
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux8176>
5. Somebody's got to pick up the 'Net's tab
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux8177>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Phil Hochmuth

Phil Hochmuth is a Network World Senior Editor and a former
systems integrator. You can reach him at
<mailto:phochmut@nww.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Sybase

It sounds so simple: if you collect enough business information,
you'll glean valuable insights that can drive both revenue
growth and competitive advantage. Along the way, however,
companies are discovering that managing the explosive growth of
online data can prove a formidable challenge. Here's how to
assess your data management style, and maximize your
opportunities to turn online data into business opportunity.
Click here for more on taming the data explosion.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=116833
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

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Archive of the Linux newsletter:
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FEATURED READER RESOURCE

IT PROS SHARE THEIR TALES OF MAKING ITIL WORK

Running an enterprise network is challenging. IT organizational
change can be even more so if managers don't balance efforts
proportionally across people, process and technology.
Implementing best practices frameworks such as Information
Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) can help, but they
introduce their own set of challenges. Click here for more:

<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/092205-itil.html>
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