OLPC sucking up to Microsoft
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project which started with the motto of providing cheaper computer to children in under developed countries seems to be changing their motto. They first promised to keep the laptop cost at $100, but increased it to $200 when they finally released it, citing manufacturing costs. One part of the cost cutting effect was by installing Linux in the XO laptop. Now they are sucking up to the big corporation and planning to install Windows XP. This might need more hard drive space and costs. The reason for the change could be either due to the pressure from the corporate heavy weight or a big pay off from them to use Windows. What’s funny is, the same OLPC people cried foul when Intel started the Classmate PC project with Windows installed. It looks like OLPC wants to sell more in U.S. educational institutions than to under developed world since their profit margins will be high here and more schools can afford to buy it.
Source: The Inquirer.