XO (aka "OLPC") - getting started

I haven't had as much time as I expected to explore the wonders of the XO, but I'm starting to work on it. The first challenge is to ignore everything that you learned in order to function with MS Windows, Apple, and commercial Unix systems. Also - it helps to pretend that you're 9 years old. "What would a 9-year old do in this situation ?" is a very helpful mantra.

Internet Connectivity
The first thing I noticed is that the XO, as shipped, does not handle WPA network encryption. Since we all have (at least) WPA encryption, this is a pain in the neck. According to the FAQ at the official OLPC web site, WPA encryption will be supported by the end of December 2007. You will probably have to load the patch to another PC, and make the transfer via a USB-access device (flash memory, etc.).

In the meantime, the Support FAQ page http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Support_FAQ#Connectivity_and_the_Internet

lists several work-arounds:

• Using your (initially) free T-Mobile hot spot account (requires that you hike over to a T-Mobile hot spot location, but that should we easy with this ulta-portable XO). Support for this approach starts on this page: http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/pin.php



• Getting right into the Linux roots of the XO and manually setting up WPA access. Support for this approach starts here: http://wiki.laptop.org/go/WPA_Manual_Setting



• Avoid wireless entirely: get a USB-to-Ethernet cable. Although, I'm not sure how that will help you connect to your DSL or cable modem.

Since I want to make the XO connect to my home network, I'm going for the WPA Manual Setting. The directions were simple: the hard part was guessing which WPA version I have - the directions indicate "guess 1; if that doesn't work, try 2".

Results: I did everything, and it all looked fine. As promised, my home network showed in the XO "neighborhood" without a lock symbol (indicating that a password wasn't needed). However, I had to go through the process twice: one with WPA version 1 and once with WPA version 2. Both times, it still asked for the network password.....It's still not working - it asks for a password for the AP..... According to some responses on the wiki, I may need to update the firmware on the DSL modem. Not a pleasant task, but I'll try that next....

One Laptop per Child Project - Reality in 2007 ?

(Also known as the "$100 laptop project", or the "XO Computer", this is an effort that started in the MIT Media Lab to design a low-cost and sturdy computer that could be given to students in developing countries.)

The project has finally settled on a 4-pound plastic model with a 7-inch liquid crystal display, running all Open Source software, and powered by an AC adapter, a battery, or a hand-crank. The best part of the design is that it has a completely new interface that does not rely on the Windows or MAC icons. The interface is intended to be intuitive to students, not a scaled down replica of a "business computer". Full details about the project and specs are on the OLpC organization web site: http://www.laptop.org/

This is a picture from the site, although it seems to be one of the prototypes, not the final version.

According to recent press releases, distribution could begin early in 2007.

According to the FAQ page ( http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Retail ), it looks like the organization is re-thinking the policy not to make the computers commercially available in developing countries. The current plan is for governments, the UN, and donors to finance the purchase and distribution of the computers to children. I've always thought that it would be a good idea to make them available at twice the production cost - the buyer gets one computer and also provides a computer for a student. Since the price is now closer to $150, I think it would be a quick and easy way to finance the project.