Sub-$100 laptop design unveiled

**caroper** · 29-09-2005 03:28 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4292854.stm

"The laptop will be tough and foldable in different ways, with a hand crank for when there is no power supply."

"Children in Brazil, China, Egypt, Thailand, and South Africa will be among the first to get the under-$100 (£57) computer, said Professor Negroponte at the Emerging Technologies conference at MIT."

"The laptop will be more rugged and flexible than ordinary ones
They will have four USB ports, and will be able to connect to the net through wi-fi - wireless net technology - and will be able to share data easily."

So our kids will be getting laptops, but will Telkom give them Internet access?

So much for Telkoms argument that ADSL is expencive becouse computers are, this baby cost less than one months access to Telkom Internet.

Cheers
Chris

**R4tt3xx** · 29-09-2005 03:38 PM

This is very good news. Come on Telkom WHERE IS OUR INFRASTRUCTURE !!!!!

**Moederloos** · 29-09-2005 04:12 PM

He said he is committed to the idea that children all over the world should be equipped with technology so that they can tap into the educational and communications benefits of the net.

Yeah, maybe in Cambodia. In SA, the cost of connecting to the net exceeds the income of most people.

**bwana** · 29-09-2005 04:17 PM

That dolt Naas Ferreira is probably scratching his head thinking - dooh $100! What pathetic excuse am I supposed to come up with now?

**Moederloos** · 29-09-2005 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by bwana v.4

That dolt Naas Ferreira is probably scratching his head thinking - dooh $100! What pathetic excuse am I supposed to come up with now?

Would LOVE it if someone could get him to comment on that. Probably say something to the effect that people who would get those laptops do not have access to phone lines anyway so there is no point in dropping prices for them.....

**kaspaas** · 29-09-2005 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Moederloos

Would LOVE it if someone could get him to comment on that. Probably say something to the effect that people who would get those laptops do not have access to phone lines anyway so there is no point in dropping prices for them.....

At least the people with PC's but no Telkom-fortune line, will keep up something with the digital race.

Looking forward to see these units!

**st3ve** · 29-09-2005 05:58 PM

No but if you're drunk and need a free ride home all you need to do is walk into a scooters Pizza, place an order and catch a lift with the driver back to your place.

Oh and if you're really drunk you can get him lost so that it takes longer than 39 minutes to get home and you get the pizza free

**bb_matt** · 29-09-2005 06:11 PM

Damn,

I'm hoping to read stories of enterprising youngsters hacking into wireless networks because they can't afford internet access !
Yes, I know it's a crime, but maybe then there'll be progress in cost and availability !

Or how about deregulation and community based WUG efforts - setup nodes for people to access from a central location, like a school, church, sports hall etc. - sponsored by the government.

Of course, it's doughtful if the government wants the people to gain too much power or knowledge, but we can dream.

That's all it will take to kick start this countries IT sector - actual work by our ministers and municipalities, instead of parties, conferences and hot air !

Someone will the guts to take on Telkom and win, because ICASA so far looks like a damp squib.

In fact, Telkom DISGUST me, they are absolute PIGS to let this happen to our country - total and utter PIGS.

**Moederloos** · 30-09-2005 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by bb_matt

Damn,

I'm hoping to read stories of enterprising youngsters hacking into wireless networks because they can't afford internet access !
Yes, I know it's a crime, but maybe then there'll be progress in cost and availability !

Or how about deregulation and community based WUG efforts - setup nodes for people to access from a central location, like a school, church, sports hall etc. - sponsored by the government.

Of course, it's doughtful if the government wants the people to gain too much power or knowledge, but we can dream.

That's all it will take to kick start this countries IT sector - actual work by our ministers and municipalities, instead of parties, conferences and hot air !

Someone will the guts to take on Telkom and win, because ICASA so far looks like a damp squib.

In fact, Telkom DISGUST me, they are absolute PIGS to let this happen to our country - total and utter PIGS.

Too much communication leads to an informed public. One can argue that information is the single scariest prospect for an inept government. Can you imagine if the average Joe really understood how p1ss poor our governent is at delivering on its promises - how they much rather give money to Mugabe than build decent infrastructure in rural areas?

The same argument can be applied to the G8 and Africa - can you imagine how the world would be if Africans had an education as a rule? No more exploitation by the "West" then.

Oh well, Telkom can maar continue to hold us back for the benefit of their shareholders.

**justinct** · 30-09-2005 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by st3ve

No but if you're drunk and need a free ride home all you need to do is walk into a scooters Pizza, place an order and catch a lift with the driver back to your place.

Oh and if you're really drunk you can get him lost so that it takes longer than 39 minutes to get home and you get the pizza free

Lmao, must try this, free lift and free pizza.

Shame but the scooters dude will have to fork out his own pocket 4the pizza, they say if he is late, its his fault.

J