RSSOLPC laptops now blanket the Pacific nation of Niue
By Jacqueline Emigh | Published August 22, 2008, 6:36 PM
The small country of Niue today became the first nation to provide OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) laptops to all of its public school students -- but then again, that number amounts to only 500.
Niue's 200 secondary school students received their PCs last month, according to a report by Radio New Zealand International.
The 300 primary school children in Niue got their laptops today, in conjunction with the Pacific Islands Forum, a summit being held there which focuses on climate change. Dr. Barry Vercoe, an MIT professor, told Radio New Zealand that students can use PCs to explore this issue.
"Children can become involved in observing the effects of climate change for themselves. And that, of course, is one of the fastest ways -- or best ways -- of enabling these children to learn about the realities of the situation," according to Vercoe.
An OLPC spokesperson told BetaNews today that Vercoe, a native of Australia, is also a very active OLPC volunteer. The donation of 500 computers to Niue is part of a larger move to distribute 5,000 OLPC laptops throughout the Pacific region, according to a report by Agence France Presse). The OLPC spokesperson noted that, elsewhere in the Pacific, OLPC volunteers have already donated laptops to students in New Guinea. Larger OLPC donations have been made in nations that include Uruguay, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, and Rwanda, for example, BetaNews was told. As previously reported in BetaNews, the OLPC Project originated at MIT, before OLPC was spun off as a separate not-for-profit organization.
If Niue rings a bell -- or maybe a familiar number -- then you're an astute reader of BetaNews indeed. The tiny island nation of only 260 square kilometers is the official holder of the .NU "number domain", for DNS addresses such as 1234.nu and 411.nu.
This looks like a thinly veiled attempt to brainwash children about "climate change" no doubt caused by man. Good job Dr. Barry Vercoe you louse.
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So? And the significance is what?
They can now watch their culture go down the toilet as they are polluted by YouTube and MySpace and Hanna Montana videos?
And "Children can become involved in observing the effects of climate change for themselves. And that, of course, is one of the fastest ways -- or best ways -- of enabling these children to learn about the realities of the situation," according to Vercoe." LOL!!! And they can watch the latest rap video. What positive difference does either make in their lives?
They remain spectators and no positive change is made in their immediate lives.
Oh, and don't forget! Norway has ~80% Internet penetration - among a population of just over 4M total! LOL!
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Wow, very narrow-minded attitude. These kids can now have technology as part of their lives so we, the western culture, can sale them more tech like ipods and stuff. It's the global economy, and no I'm not joking.
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Who says they have internet? It's just a laptop.
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Hanna Montana
Ahem...
It's Hannah Montana. My daughters have that name on multiple shirts, CDs, and backpacks. :p
What positive difference does either make in their lives?
None.
However, access to NatGeo, Online schools and literally thousands of other online learning media will.
Just because you have become disillusioned concerning the internet doesn't mean others have not found havens of useful, helpful, and insightful discourse.
Slashdot and BN != the internet, my friend.
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Yup, just as TV has so enriched our lives for the better...
Perhaps you guys should spend more time being brainwashed by Sesame Street and the PBS "its your station" fundraising BS as the closest you come to it being your station is that the corporation puts "public" in its name as they ask you to simply rubber stamp what they choose to feed you as you are supposed to blindly accept their biased attempt at social engineering.
I will offer that the net change will not simply be the integration of National Geographic into their culture, but the dilution and homogenization of their culture as a result - just as has happened elsewhere.
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