[TriLUG] Dear Palm, I wanted a Linux Treo and not a Foleo.

[Jeremy Portzer]

Greg Brown wrote:
> No, no no... don't you listen to Bill Gates?  He said that the One Laptop
> Per Child program was worthless because people will use their phones running
> Microsoft software as a computer.  Sheesh.
> 
> http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/30/gates-proposes-cellphones-as-alternative-to-olpc/

It's important to realize the value of cell phones to those in 
communities that OLPC is intended for.  I've done some mission work in 
El Salvador, and the cell phones are invaluable assets; those who can 
afford them are instantly connected with work, with markets, etc., 
hugely enhancing productivity.  They are much more important than 
computers.  Many developing nations never had strong wired telephone 
networks, but are now able to build quite usable - and reasonably 
inexpensive - cell phone networks.

Maybe OLPC for the kids and a smartphone for the adults or something - I 
dunno.  But I think giving away cell phones to these communities would 
have a lot of merit.  I don't think they should run Microsoft products 
but don't dismiss the whole cell phone idea out of hand, just because 
Bill Gates brought it up.

--Jeremy