.... from the U.K. on this list?
It's depressing to see all the interest and contributions from all over the world - except the U.K.. I guess that because the transition from the 19th to the 20th Century was so painful for us, having made it, we're reluctant to repeat the experience for the transition from the 20th to the 21st!
It's particularly depressing that in spite of our Colonial history, the U.K. doesn't appear to be getting involved in the One Laptop per Child initiative. The school where I work as a Science Technician has a link to a school in South Africa. We are an independent (private/non-state) school with the students coming from well-off families, and I should imagine that a fund raising scheme to provide our link school with some laptops would be feasible. Unfortunately a major hurdle would be that the decision makers would be quite baffled by the XO laptop - 'How can it possibly be a computer if it doesn't run a version of Windows and MS Office?' - and I include the IT department in this attitude! I've spoken to the member of staff responsible for liason with the link school about the XO laptop, and whilst there was mild curiosity, they haven't reported back and don't appear to be following it up.
Give me cause for some optimism someone - please!
Jim Ford
squeakland@lists.squeakfoundation.org