Microsoft readies XP for One Laptop Per Child computer
Windows-only XO timidly opens curtain
Microsoft has quietly released to manufacturing a tweaked version of Windows XP to run on the One Laptop Per Child XO computer.
Microsoft’s marketing and communications wonk James Utzschneider offered some detail about its forthcoming release in a blog post late last week.
“Microsoft internally ‘RTM'ed’ the Windows XP version we are building for the OLPC XO computer. Windows on the XO looks like it is on track for availability in these types of national educational PC deals in September,” he said.
“We still have no plans to make Windows available for individuals who bought an XO in the Give 1 Get 1 program though.”
In May Redmond and the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) foundation confirmed the XO laptop would be made available as Windows-loaded machines. That was Microsoft’s first public acknowledgement that the firm was working on a port of XP for the distinctive white and green machine.
That followed OLPC project founder Nicholas Negroponte revealing in April that the group had reached a Windows-only agreement with the software giant, much to the chagrin of Linux fanciers.
Earlier this year Negroponte had called for the development of a dual-boot XO laptop with both Linux and Windows to give the world's poorest school kids the widest range of choice. However, under the Microsoft deal, it was agreed that an initial, limited run of $188-priced XOs will ship as Windows-only machines. ®
COMMENTS
Why would you deny them XP?
What's so wrong with wanting to run XP on that XO?
Most of the first world use it anyway? So why deny them that pleasure?
Someone mentioned Windows 98. That's no good OS but Windows 2000 is a much better alternative. So slimming down XP to Win2000-level might indeed be a good option. I can't see a fault in that.
Why are we so against this? Win NT and derivates were never as bad as the fat32-windows versions. Also since most job-opportunities are targetted towards ppl with Windows knowledge it's inevitable anyway. So what's all the fuss about?
Besides it's already mentioned that there are far better ways to spend that money in third world countries (digging a well indeed) so I seriously doubt that this XO effort will have real benefit no matter what OS it runs.
Also (what most pll forget) it doesn't matter what OS your system runs. It's what you do with it (or want to with it) that matters. Again why always this crap about xp sucks and linux is better. Djeez. It doesn't matter.
As for that remark about OSX. Steve doesn't want OSX to run on anything other than Apple hardware (which has premium pricetags). So there's no need to brag that up.
Finaly, if it's really about bringing tech to the third world then there are far better options than a "notebook PC". For instance all smartphones have pc-like capacities and run circles around ANY laptop. I remember my Psion series 5, ARM-cpu, ran of 2 AA-batteries, good keyboard and fast enough for it was intended. I'm sure other ARM-based technology has evolved far beyond that series 5 handheld by now, isn't it?
Oh well why do I care at all? It's all corporate battle. Who cares?
i will bite
i will buy a cheap xo comp and donate it to any Linux company that will develop a free os for these poor kids and support it.. why should these kids be stuck on an os that is not sold any more ... or i will donate my 5 copies of win 98 SE if others agree to same..
Hardware prices irrelevant for Windows PCs
The Hardware prices are irrelevant anyhow if you have Windows, as no normal person can keep a Windows system running, so they will need an administrator. This greatly outweights the costs for any hardware. So it's irrelevant wether you pay 100 or 10000 Euros for a Windows computer, during it's livetime you will spend far more on the administrator.
Somebody call a waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaambulance
...Bill's taken the freetards' milk money.
Again.
Can't you guys just be happy forcing your grandmother to use TARDOS?
D'oh missed opportunity M$ - install Vista
Vista is so much faster and better and WOW and super-duper...
Oh - they actually want it to work...?
Ooops... my mistake...
