Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 21, 2008 11:25:47 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

One Laptop Per Child Embraces Windows XP

Posted May 17, 08 11:15 AM CDT in Business,  Technology 

(Newser) – Now that Microsoft has signed on to the One Laptop Per Child initiative—aimed at getting low-cost PCs to kids in poor countries—its Windows XP operating system is again getting a new jolt of life, reports InternetNews.com. The project originally used only free, open-source software such as Linux, but sales were slow because of little enthusiasm from government clients over the system, the New York Times notes.

“We aim to make technology more relevant, accessible and affordable for students everywhere,” said a rep from Microsoft, which is phasing out 7-year-old XP for Vista in mainstream sales. But the move has infuriated some observers opposed to the idea that a project founded on free software and widespread accessibility would use proprietary software. Further, some worry the move will open the computers to viruses. “What are you doing to those children?” asked a tech blogger.

Sources Internetnews.com, New York Times

1 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Microsoft Should Throw a Rock Through Its Windows

    Jun 29, 08 9:50 AM CDT
    Microsoft Should Throw a Rock Through Its Windows The window on Microsoft’s operating system agility has closed, and to fix it, Randall Stross argues in the New York Times, the tech giant needs to start from scratch. Windows “has become an obese monolith built on an ancient frame,” Stross says, and it “seems to move an inch for every time that Mac OS X or Linux laps it.” More »

  • Firms Are Waiting on Windows Vista

    Nov 15, 07 7:13 AM CST
    Firms Are Waiting on Windows Vista It has been almost a year since Windows Vista was released to businesses, but a spate of hardware compatibility issues has many still waiting to upgrade until the release of the first service pack, scheduled for early next year. With the next version of Windows due in late 2009, PC World thinks many companies may skip upgrading to Vista altogether. More »

This image provided by the One Laptop per Child Foundation shows its XO laptop, a small computer designed for children in developing nations.   (AP Photo/One Laptop Per Child)
Erick, left, points out information on Fernando's laptop during a nature class in Arahuay, an Andean hilltop village in Peru, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2007.   (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman of the One Laptop per Child nonprofit, gives a speech at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Jan. 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

Microsoft • computer • open source • Windows XP • One Laptop Per Child • Linux • Nicholas Negroponte


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Technology Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »