As I’ve known for a while and have been trying to share, the Pixel Qi screen is the right solution for most of these tablet devices right now. Look at this outdoor view. Pixel Qi IS in monochrome in the e-reader mode (reflective) but it’s very clear crisp and much better for looking at content. Kind of gives the movie an interesting tone, with a metallic sheen.
Charbax over at ArmDevices.net comes through with the video.
Slashgear has a scathing commentary on how the One Laptop Per Child project was a tragedy. There are several parts I agree with, but I don’t think the project was a failure. I think it didn’t reach all it’s potential. However I don’t think it was all that simple either. I’ll make no excuses for them. They were blessed with a lot of resources and a lot of media coverage, partnerships, some real ringers in their team and they had a good idea. And I think based on the number of laptops delivered and people informed, they made a huge dent in a lot of people’s lives.
Problems? In some ways they are major, in others minor. The hardware is pretty darn cool. Sure the keyboard is small. And the biggest complaint for me would be the battery life. But they also achieved a very interesting form factor, kept the device low power, totally cool to the touch, included an innovative wireless network system and did it in a way that it could be repaired a lot easier than most devices. The screen was / is magnificent.
The failure to live up to the potential would be in several aspects of the software. Say what you want about it being a different way of thinking to use the system, but it wasn’t all that good. The journal system was slow and hard to manage. It wasn’t clear how to do certain things, such as understanding the difference between a shortcut and an actual file. Initial releases were problematic for internet connection. The system wasn’t as fast is it could have been. Clearly it was a lean OS, but we should have seen more speed.
Some people complain about this project because so many countries need help meeting basic needs. But nearl all of these complaints make little sense when you see where the laptops were delivered. These towns may not have the best infrastructure, and they might be quite poor. But they have classrooms, they have an need for learning and this project was one that gave them something new. Was it the absolute best thing for everyone? Probably not, but it continues to be a great project and resource. It’s still happening!
There was a comment made on the fact that with the laptops, we didn’t provide a curriculum. Well that’s just stupid. There are teachers and they are expected to make use of the tool in class. They already have lesson plans there. They just use this new tool, same as if they added a TV / VCR to the classroom. Integrating it is not up to the OLPC. How could they dictate that to all these countries. “Now here’s where we provide you with the 9 Lessons of the North American perspective on WWII“ Not gonna work. Examples and device training are enough. The laptops are easy to use. Screw around a little bit and you can make sense of most of it. It’s not perfect, but neither were their lives (or our lives) before the laptop became part of it.
Feel free to jump in and make a difference yourself
That’s the answer to pretty much all project criticism. There are some things that are part of a timely plan, so you’re not going to disrupt the project plan as it is, but there’s room to make a difference yourself here. And anytime somebody wants to complain about the project, best they remember that just because OLPC exists, doesn’t mean suddenly these developing cities and towns AREN’T getting something else. And if they are lacking in another area. Feel free to pitch in and make that happen. Nobody told Nicholas Negroponte that he had to do something here. He saw the need, the opportunity and went in the direction right or wrong. He’s been to these places, he’s made the plans, got the backing, the publicity, the team. And he’s delivered the laptops. The laptops work, they are engineered well. They don’t blow all similar technology out of the water, but they do serve a good purpose. They are useful and likeable. And people appreciate them. In that I see success.
