It’s been a while since I’ve written about OLPC computers. There is some news now though - which I thought was well worth sharing. See below and click the links to read the two articles from olpcnews.com about the new XO upgrade that makes the computers actually work properly and the fine news that Amazon is going to be selling OLPC computers starting sometime in November 2008.
One reason for sharing the news is that, as our lives settle down this fall, I’d like OLPC friends on Bainbridge island to start organising ‘OLPC play dates’ - we just need to get them in the calendar and perhaps rotate through homes so we can spread the joy of hosting them. Please ping me if you’d be interested in hosting the first one.
Down the pipe, if enough people on Bainbridge have them and want to enable their children to play with them together, I’d like to explore possibilities for working with the schools to organise more formal sessions… like chess camp. We could combine upgrading, playing and learning about how these machines are used by poor children in the third world. Let me know if you have ideas or willingness to help out in this area.
Now on to the great OLPC news -
XO Laptop Software Release 8.2.0 Review: Sugar Works Now!
It is remarkably easy to install the upgrade, and well worth it. You should carry out this upgrade immediately - I’ll gladly help.. let me know if you need it.The procedure is basically this: download two files from the OLPC Wiki at http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Release_notes/8.2.0 to an empty USB key, press all four game keys on the XO and plug it in, then turn your computer on. Within 5 minutes you’ll have the upgrade completed (warning: your old setup will be completely wiped).
Poking around the OLPC wiki, I also found a number of very nice puzzles, games and interactive activities that my children have been getting alot out of since I upgraded their laptops a few days ago.
Amazon to run G1G1 starting in November
So it begins again! There is an opportunity approaching fast to expand our network of friends with these wonderful machines. Tell your friends that it will indeed be possible to get these in time for Christmas, and we can expand our circle of friends that are playing with them. The http://olpcnews.com website is a good place to monitor for news.
Also please be sure to participate in the xobi@googlegroups.com / http://groups.google.com/




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