Thursday, December 6, 2007

One Laptop Per Child and Microsoft

The Scoop

In a blog post earlier this week, Microsoft has expressed interest in having it's Windows XP operating system run the XO, the $200 machine from One Laptop Per Child (OLPC). Currently, the XO is not capable of running XP due to hardware limitations - specifically, it only has a 1-gigabyte storage capacity. Microsoft is pushing OLPC to add a slot for an SD card, adding the 2 gigs of extra capacity that a slimmed-down version of XP would require. Currently, the XO runs a version of Red Hat Linux.


What OLPC Stands For

Upon a quick review of OLPC's website, it's pretty easy to tell where they stand on open-source software and hardware. Phrases about giving teachers and kids "the freedom to reshape, reinvent, and reapply their software..." and that they don't want "any ceiling imposed on those children who choose to modify their machines" make their stance very opaque. On their wiki, on of the five core principles they list is "free and open source."


What about Microsoft?

Firstly, the stuff that comes out of Redmond is about as closed-source as it gets. A "port of Windows XP to the OLPC XO" isn't a project they could make much money off of. After they throw it together and spit it out into the market, it would take a back shelf. Minimal bug fixes. Total insecurity. Don't believe me? Internet Explorer - need I say more?

Windows XP is an eight-year-old operating system, and last year was the first time that a budget computer ran it with any sort of speed. It's a monster, especially once we start talking about running off the XO's 433mhz processor. And let's not forget about running the anti-virus software required on Microsoft OS's. Of all the software options in the world, XP might be the absolute worst bang-for-the-megahertz choice for the XO. Besides, do we really want to run yesterday's software on today's hardware?


Linux Software on the XO

Red Hat Linux is one of the most stable operating systems of our day. Linux, in general, can be fine-tuned and ported to all things big and small. From cell phones and PDA's, to datacenters and supercomputers, Linux does it dependably. With Red Hat on hardware like the XO, you can enjoy the stability and security of a modern-day operating system.

We hear about security all the time but most users don't really understand what that means to them. Security is about not having your credit card numbers or you identity stolen. It's also about the millions and millions of viruses that Windows users deal with every day and they money they spend getting them off and keeping them off. We're trying to lead students and teachers of developing nations into technology, not repulse them. Most Linux users don't require an anti-virus because the OS is built around security.


The Business End

As a business decision, here's where Microsoft sits. If they are able to make any actual money off of this project, through product-liscensing, or whatever, it would have to be minimal before OPLC would even consider it. I'm convinced that Microsoft isn't motivated by making money from the OS itself (that's basically $0), they are instead driven by two things: selling other software for the machine like MS Office, and they're acquainting the future of developing nations with their product. It's about spreading their name (and steering users clear of open-source, for that matter), and it's about getting them ready for a lifetime BSOD's. This decision isn't about helping children, or helping third-world countries. And it's not about making money right now. It's about raping the people of these nations for money a year from now, and ten years from now - the very same people that this project is trying to help.

Microsoft, stop trying take advantage of people who need help - it's already bad enough that you litter our country with the garbage you call software.