Blog 10: Computers for everyone

Computers for everyonehttp://media.www.mainecampus.com/media/storage/paper322/news/2007/03/01/SoapBox/Computers.For.Everyone-2752016-page2.shtml MIT Media Lab has developed a program to distribute $100 laptops to children in developing countries. The computer has a crank! But it works and connects to the Internet. Libya and Uganda have signed up to buy millions of these computers for their children (school age). MIT says they intend to "invent and creatively exploit new media for human well-being and individual satisfaction without regard for present-day constraints." Because this program is so ambitious, a number of roadblocks have emerged. Intel balked at the low price and a number of countries refuse to come up with the needed money. I think this is a great idea. I would expand it to every adult also. Whenever I go to the public library, I see every computer in use. And there is always a waiting list to get on the computers. These are usually people who are unemployed and looking for job opportunities. They need a computer, or at least - access to one. The job market has changed. Computers are necessary. I'm curious why Bill Gates isn't a big donor to this program. He has been very active in his charities - giving billions to needed causes. I realize he tends to concentrate on health issues, but computers are his roots. I would think he would be active in this area also.

I commend MIT for taking this step. I think they should also concentrate on the poor in the United States. We have too many children in our country without computers or access to computers. They already have so many disadvantages, we need to take this one away and help them. The benefits to our country will be immense. References: MIT finds ways to get computers to all children http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/ Laptop Project for Developing Countries Hits Snaghttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17894663