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Gates slams the $100 laptop...

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Originally posted by: Brazen
Originally posted by: blurredvision
I thought the $100 laptop was more for third-world countries instead consumerist America. Hell, if somebody needed to build a laptop that's $100 just for people to afford one, then Gates needn't worry about losing sales of Windows, since these people wouldn't have been able to buy a comp with it in the first place. I've seen a picture of this thing and read of it's specs, and I can't possible fathom that this $100 laptop will make too big of a splash to throw Microsoft off course.

Hell, Linux is still NOT user-friendly, I don't care what any of you say. Sure, you tech-heads love it, but can the average mom and pop use it reliably right out of the box? Nope.
Click to expand...
Yes. Install Ubuntu on it for them and I bet they would have an easier time than with Windows. And no messing with spyware or virus software and already has an office suite. Browsing the internet, sending emails, and writing documents is really stupidly simple in Ubuntu.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry, but I simply do not agree. The very core of what Linux is will never make it appeal to the common user out there. For Linux to ever succeed in the marketplace, there need to be standards set, not 80 different versions with different configurations, some being easy to install, some being difficult. Sure, a well-kept Linux OS can be amazing if in the right hands, but I don't see it being a viable alternative for mass-acceptance for atleast a few more years.

Linux fans and coders only kill themselves. It's hard to get this point across, because Linux fans just do not see that.
 
Originally posted by: Tsaico
Well, while I agree that he is probably bashing it more out of the fact it won't handle windows and the like, but there is some truth to what he is saying. It isn't cheap to even set up old analog lines and keep them maintained. Having a stong infrastructure is where the costs are. In many envrionments, the hardware is not that big of a cost after you factor in things like the value of the data and support costs. While you and I and most of who browse AT, should be fine with 0 supprt from the guys who built it, there are many who don't even know what a CPU is. And it is this group that requires the most help.

Also, eventually, the best and quickest way to get something on the shelf is to commercialize it. If there is zero money making opportunities, then you will either get slowly developed software, or just crap. (not that some of the stuff I actually paid for was perfect...) In any case, I don't htink this will matter much in the overall scheme of things. I would just say that most of htese people that would buy it, wouldn't have bought windows anyway.
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i think the meaning of this is to not use wires and build it from the ground up, more like build it from space down and have cellular connections.
 
Originally posted by: StrangerGuy
"Microsoft Government Leaders"

Bad, bad, bad.
Click to expand...

It's inevitable. Microsoft is a legal monopoly. They are the Ma Bell of the 21st Century.
 
Originally posted by: blurredvision
Originally posted by: Brazen
Originally posted by: blurredvision
I thought the $100 laptop was more for third-world countries instead consumerist America. Hell, if somebody needed to build a laptop that's $100 just for people to afford one, then Gates needn't worry about losing sales of Windows, since these people wouldn't have been able to buy a comp with it in the first place. I've seen a picture of this thing and read of it's specs, and I can't possible fathom that this $100 laptop will make too big of a splash to throw Microsoft off course.

Hell, Linux is still NOT user-friendly, I don't care what any of you say. Sure, you tech-heads love it, but can the average mom and pop use it reliably right out of the box? Nope.
Click to expand...
Yes. Install Ubuntu on it for them and I bet they would have an easier time than with Windows. And no messing with spyware or virus software and already has an office suite. Browsing the internet, sending emails, and writing documents is really stupidly simple in Ubuntu.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry, but I simply do not agree. The very core of what Linux is will never make it appeal to the common user out there. For Linux to ever succeed in the marketplace, there need to be standards set, not 80 different versions with different configurations, some being easy to install, some being difficult. Sure, a well-kept Linux OS can be amazing if in the right hands, but I don't see it being a viable alternative for mass-acceptance for atleast a few more years.

Linux fans and coders only kill themselves. It's hard to get this point across, because Linux fans just do not see that.
Click to expand...

This is not about the marketplace. This is about providing computers to those who have never seen a computer before. Anyways, how would someone who has never seen a computer know that Windows is "easier" than Ubuntu?
 
I think it would be pretty fun to watch legions of starbucks drinkers hand cranking their laptops in the morning. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
thats what a south african dying with hiv needs. a 100 dollar laptop.
the gates foundation does plenty to help the developing world. the 100 dollar laptop seems misguided. like those that thought putting computers in the classroom was some kind of magic bullet
Click to expand...

South Africa isn't third world, and I bet you that no one there even wants this $100 laptop, as they all already have much better computers.
 
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
thats what a south african dying with hiv needs. a 100 dollar laptop.
the gates foundation does plenty to help the developing world. the 100 dollar laptop seems misguided. like those that thought putting computers in the classroom was some kind of magic bullet
Click to expand...

everyone needs pr0n =P

 
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
thats what a south african dying with hiv needs. a 100 dollar laptop.
the gates foundation does plenty to help the developing world. the 100 dollar laptop seems misguided. like those that thought putting computers in the classroom was some kind of magic bullet
Click to expand...

😀:thumbsup: agreed.
 
Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
thats what a south african dying with hiv needs. a 100 dollar laptop.
the gates foundation does plenty to help the developing world. the 100 dollar laptop seems misguided. like those that thought putting computers in the classroom was some kind of magic bullet
Click to expand...

South Africa isn't third world, and I bet you that no one there even wants this $100 laptop, as they all already have much better computers.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure the laptop isn't targeted at South Africa. It's targeted at the third world countries where nobody (or very few) has any electronics of any kind, and even may not have electricity (hence the hand crank).
 
All you haters need to get real. If you saw a picture and specs of it without hearing about bill gates trashing it, you guys would have said that it's a peice of sh!t.
 
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
That hand crank idea still sounds awesome, though. I wish that I had one of those on my laptop!
Click to expand...
It can't be done. The idea of this "laptop" is to have a maximum of 3W of power. With that goal reached, you can crank for 1 minute every 10 minutes of use to keep it running.

Even an untra-low wattage laptop processor + screen + drive will run you ~30W. Thus, one minute of cranking would give you one minute of power. That means you'll have to crank non-stop just to keep it running.
 
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