Comments on: OLPC Restructuring and Consequences http://thecommandline.net/2008/04/28/olpc-restructuring-and-consequences/ Exploring the rough edges where technology, society and public policy meet. Sun, 27 Jul 2008 08:04:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: ConFigures » Blog Archive » OLPC Roundtable at Penguicon 2008: Links http://thecommandline.net/2008/04/28/olpc-restructuring-and-consequences/#comment-276 ConFigures » Blog Archive » OLPC Roundtable at Penguicon 2008: Links Thu, 01 May 2008 05:33:17 +0000 http://beta.cmdln.net/?p=939#comment-276 [...] cmdln’s detailed write-up of Mako’s comments at the start [...] [...] cmdln’s detailed write-up of Mako’s comments at the start [...]

]]> By: cmdln http://thecommandline.net/2008/04/28/olpc-restructuring-and-consequences/#comment-275 cmdln Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:41:58 +0000 http://beta.cmdln.net/?p=939#comment-275 Thank you for the clarification. If you don't mind, would you explain your role at and relationship with OLPC? I think that helps in putting your comments in context on both points. Thank you for the clarification. If you don’t mind, would you explain your role at and relationship with OLPC? I think that helps in putting your comments in context on both points.

]]> By: Benjamin Mako Hill http://thecommandline.net/2008/04/28/olpc-restructuring-and-consequences/#comment-274 Benjamin Mako Hill Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:24:39 +0000 http://beta.cmdln.net/?p=939#comment-274 Nice article! I'd only follow up with two points. First, while upbeat, I am very concerned about OLPC and about statements by Nicholas Negroponte that seem to signal a potential or upcoming change in OLPC attitudes and actions in regards to software freedom. As I said in my talk, OLPC ability to be a force for good is, in my opinion, directly connected to its existence as a free platform. That doesn't mean it wouldn't be good at all if it used non-free software -- but it wouldn't be as nearly good as it could be. My second point is about the use of Windows and the reasoning behind it. I'm glad I was able to convincingly describe the situation and the feelings of the advocates or defenders of a switch to Windows. That said, I was only trying to describe the reasoning, not advocate it. I understand *why* people want to use Windows, and I think it's important for anyone involved in the debate to understand as well, but I don't agree with it. I just wanted to make that clear. Nice article! I’d only follow up with two points.

First, while upbeat, I am very concerned about OLPC and about statements by Nicholas Negroponte that seem to signal a potential or upcoming change in OLPC attitudes and actions in regards to software freedom. As I said in my talk, OLPC ability to be a force for good is, in my opinion, directly connected to its existence as a free platform. That doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be good at all if it used non-free software — but it wouldn’t be as nearly good as it could be.

My second point is about the use of Windows and the reasoning behind it. I’m glad I was able to convincingly describe the situation and the feelings of the advocates or defenders of a switch to Windows. That said, I was only trying to describe the reasoning, not advocate it. I understand *why* people want to use Windows, and I think it’s important for anyone involved in the debate to understand as well, but I don’t agree with it. I just wanted to make that clear.

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