Star Why Microsoft and Intel Tried to Kill the XO Laptop
Linked by Amjith Ramanujam on Sun 10th Aug 2008 16:38 UTC, submitted by Rahul
Talk, Rumors, X Versus Y "Microsoft, makers of most of the computer software in the world, tried to kill it with words, and Intel, maker of most computer chips, tried to kill it with dirty tricks. Of course, they don't admit to being attempted murderers. And when I introduce you to Intel's lovely spokesperson, Agnes Kwan, you'll realise how far their denials go. But the truth is the two mightiest high-tech companies in the world looked on Negroponte's philanthropic scheme and decided it had to die."
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Vanders
Member since:
2005-07-06

I personally think that computing has a limited role in primary education. It's enough that kids learn the basics of how to type somewhat competently and how to do basic tasks like producing and printing text, but elementary education should be far more focussed on more basic development of the student's reasoning abilities. This generally does not require a computer at all.


If I understand correctly, the XO was never intended to be a computer for a computer sake: it is intended to help children access information. The sort of access many of us take for granted.

Which is really what makes the lack of support from Intel & Microsoft so sad. They saw the XO as a computer which didn't use their own technology and products, rather than a simple information access device. Microsoft were only concerned with the lack of Windows on the XO, when it really shouldn't matter one bit what OS it's running. The XO as a concept is so simple you shouldn't even be able to notice.

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