Optimism abounded when Nicholas Negroponte announced his goal to design the $100 laptop, an item that could improve learning for millions of poor children in developing countries. Finally, it seemed advanced technology would help the disadvantaged among us and do more than just increase the stock values of Silicon Valley companies.
Unfortunately, some of those cold-hearted, profit-mongering corporations such as Intel and Microsoft lack the morals to assist this noble effort, and instead choose to stand in the way of progress and charity.
Negroponte -- co-founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Laboratory and the non-profit organization, One Laptop Per Child -- built the innovative "XO" laptop to account for many of the problems that underprivileged students encounter.
For example, the computer has a built-in hand crank to charge the battery in places where electricity is sporadic. The computer also comes with long-range wireless, a version of the open-source operating system Linux, and an interactive interface that allows users to communicate and work with others nearby.
While the price still hovers above $150, many students around the globe, in places like Peru where 270,000 XOs have already been distributed, will soon be reaping the benefits of such cheap technology.
But the executives at entrenched software and hardware companies are more interested in padding their bottom lines than helping kids.
Intel Chairman Craig Barrett mocked the XO laptop as a "$100 gadget," saying, "What people are looking for is something that has the full functionality of a PC... that can run all the applications of a grown-up PC... not dependant on hand cranks for power."
His remarks miss the point of OLPC completely. The XO laptop is not intended for use by corporate offices, or even college students; the project is geared toward putting computers in the hands of people who are so impoverished that they have most likely never touched a full-featured PC before.
Even within the United States, the city of Birmingham, Alabama has agreed to purchase 15,000 laptops for its students.
The truth is that companies like Intel do not care about the hundreds of millions of people who have entered the 21st century unable to read a book or even sign their names.
Although in the last year Intel spoke about contributing millions of dollars to the cause and constructing a microprocessor to use in future generations' affordable laptops, it pulled out of its deal last week amidst claims that it had stabbed its non-profit partner in the back.
Turns out, Intel has its own ambitions about supplying cheap computers to the developing world -- for profit. According to Negroponte, for months Intel has been urging countries that may be potential XO-customers not to buy the device because the company is releasing its own low-cost laptop, the "Classmate PC."
Just as Intel has been sabotaging its fledgling teammate, the software behemoth Microsoft has also been antagonistic toward OLPC and its mission. While the company views emerging markets as an important next frontier for its Windows operating system -- and founder Bill Gates said that they have "always believed in cheap PCs" -- Microsoft has refused to collaborate on giving the XO dual-boot Windows XP support.
The company's shortsighted goals prevent it from embarking on a mission that could both help millions of children and expand its market share into the developing world of computing.
We should not strive for communism, but perhaps capitalism has gone too far when companies seek to crush a well-meaning nonprofit with a great chance of making a difference in thousands, or even millions of lives. Is a little respect, or even -- dare I say it -- help, too much to ask for?
The OLPC goal is not dead yet, but given the resistance to its philosophy from the corporate world, it will not be long before its efforts to bring education to far-flung reaches of the globe are cut short. In addition to more basic supplies, laptops for poor students around the world could help bridge the so-called "Digital Divide" and encourage growth, learning and hope in small communities everywhere.
When will Intel and Microsoft see that?
