Playing with the OLPC [LWN.net]

The One Laptop Per Child project is likely to be familiar to most LWN readers by now. An important milestone on this project's plan for the creation of low-cost educational systems is the production of "BTest-1" systems. The project has manufactured on the order of 1000 laptops and distributed them to testers worldwide as a way of, hopefully, shaking out the remaining hardware issues and making a start on the software side of the equation. Some systems have even been shipped to Microsoft so that some sort of Windows port can be done; this move has upset some OLPC supporters, but when the designers of the laptop said they planned to make a 100% open system, they meant it.

Your editor was lucky enough to receive one of these systems, after having been put through the indignity of seeing everybody else's "I got my laptop" posts first. There has not been a great deal of time to play with it yet, but your editor has had the chance to form some first impressions. The OLPC XO (or whatever it is eventually called) is going to be a nice system.

Back in July, we interviewed Jim Gettys about this system; one of the questions we asked was how they planned to keep adults from stealing the laptops from the children for their own purposes. Jim answered:

First, we intend that the systems be instantly recognizable as kid's systems, not only so that kids like them and value them more and take care of them carefully, but also so that adults with machines in their possession may be asked questions about whether they should have the machine.

Even with this in mind, most people who see an OLPC for the first time are surprised by just how small it is. Understanding sets in for real when one attempts to use the keyboard; the small keys will work for a small child, but, for your fat-fingered editor, it is very much a hunt-and-peck device. There will be very few adults who will be able to type comfortably on this system. With the size of the device and its bright colors, they will also look decidedly silly in the attempt. This machine is clearly for kids.

Another way to make adults look silly is to hand the laptop to one of them and suggest that they open it. Your editor has performed this experiment several times now, and has not yet seen anybody succeed. Most people try pushing on the green square that looks like a latch, but which is, in reality, the hinge. The secret is to lift up the two "ears," which happen to be the wireless network antennas, and open the top toward the handle. Anybody attempting to use a crowbar should be stopped immediately.

The display can rotate 180 degrees and be closed over the keyboard, putting the device into "ebook" mode. There is no touchscreen on the device, so the only controls available in this mode are the eight buttons (four arrows and four which, for now, look like Sony game controller buttons) next to the display.

On the software side, the test system is running a pared-down version of the Fedora Core distribution. The kernel is essentially 2.6.19-rc2 with a fair set of patches (some since merged into the mainline) to support the OLPC hardware. Many of the basic utilities are there, and there is a Python interpreter available. But anybody looking for a C compiler, OpenOffice.org, emacs, Wesnoth, etc. will not find them. The system has little space (512MB of flash storage) and even less memory, so a lot of larger applications will never find space there.

The BTest-1 release notes make it clear that the process of putting together the software is just beginning; the focus, until now, has been on getting the hardware working. So many of the provided "activities" are present only in a preliminary form, and others are not there at all yet. It is not, according to the release notes, time to test the device on children (though your editor's children disagree rather strongly). Certainly the adults are starting to have fun with the system; your editor was gratified by this brief posting on video conferencing on the OLPC using the telepathy package.

Running software on the test system drives home a point the project has been making for some time: much of the software we run now is far too bloated and slow. With a suitable amount of attention to resource use, the OLPC hardware is powerful enough to accomplish a wide variety of tasks - web browsing, document editing, video conferencing, and more. But, with the wrong software, the system will just sit there and thrash. So one of the primary goals for the OLPC software team in the coming months will be to put the system's applications on a diet until they fit comfortably on this small system. This work will benefit us all in the end; some of the work aimed at slimming down the Gecko rendering engine can already be found in Firefox 2.

Beyond that, however, this project is setting up to put millions of Linux-based laptops into the hands of children worldwide. These systems will include mesh networking and cameras; this is a combination which is likely to lead to interesting things to see on video sharing sites - and serious news channels. The laptop will be wide open, with the "view source" functionality built in. There are many people who question this project and whether the countries involved might better spend their resources on clean water, sanitation, and so on. Those are legitimate questions which cannot be simply brushed off. But one should also consider what those kids will be able to do given better access to knowledge, communications, and a platform they can hack to their own ends. It is going to be interesting to watch.

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Thrash to flash

Posted Dec 14, 2006 4:21 UTC (Thu) by bronson (subscriber, #4806) [Link]

That could be an awesome Jono Bacon song. :)

Swap on flash considered harmful?

Posted Dec 14, 2006 4:59 UTC (Thu) by khim (subscriber, #9252) [Link]

OLPC does not use FAT. It uses JFFS2...

Swap on flash considered harmful?

Posted Dec 14, 2006 6:16 UTC (Thu) by dberkholz (subscriber, #23346) [Link]

Newer Flash takes care of that, and JFFS2 also handles it in software.

Wear leveling

Posted Dec 14, 2006 9:31 UTC (Thu) by man_ls (subscriber, #15091) [Link]

It's called Wear leveling; read Sandisk's paper. Writing 4k every 5 seconds to flash would yield a lifetime of at least 73 years, probably 3 times as much.

But anyway I agree with you: I would disable swapping. Either it fits in memory or it doesn't -- no sense in wasting the limited disk space.

Education IS a basic need too

Posted Dec 14, 2006 15:32 UTC (Thu) by tjc (guest, #137) [Link]

It's not a XOR, it's a AND: children need not only to eat, but also to get education.

Unfortunately, economics is fundamentally XOR -- the allocation of scarce resources which have alternate uses.

Education IS a basic need too

Posted Dec 14, 2006 15:45 UTC (Thu) by vmole (guest, #111) [Link]

Fortunately, neither money nor food is a scarce resource. Distribution is the hard problem...

This is NOT an XOR

Posted Dec 14, 2006 16:02 UTC (Thu) by felixfix (subscriber, #242) [Link]

Not that YOU said it is, but just in case it helps forestall those who bring up the subject ...

One of the big motivations for this project is to SAVE money by putting textbooks on it. Physical textbooks cost a lot to buy and to distribute, and that encourages poor countries to skimp by buying old textbooks and not very often, which are not always in the native language, and which are enough of a nuisance for kids to lug around that they are not always inclined to take them home every night. The goal here is to make distribution painless and free, and to make acquisition costs dramatically lower, not only by not having to buy physical books, but by encouraging natives to write their own textbooks. And if the kids can easily carry all their textbooks with them at all times for no additional weight, they just might use them more often. Making kids want these is vital.

Education IS a basic need too

Posted Dec 15, 2006 18:51 UTC (Fri) by Baylink (subscriber, #755) [Link]

"If you start a man a fire, he will be warm all night.

If you set a man on fire, he will stay warm for the rest of his life."

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 15, 2006 2:29 UTC (Fri) by jeff@uclinux.org (guest, #8024) [Link]

"The BTest-1 release notes make it clear that the process of putting together the software is just beginning; the focus, until now, has been on getting the hardware working. So many of the provided "activities" are present only in a preliminary form, and others are not there at all yet. It is not, according to the release notes, time to test the device on children (though your editor's children disagree rather strongly). Certainly the adults are starting to have fun with the system"

People have previously said that this is not an arrogant boondoggle because the software has been engineered by teaching professionals. This article talks about how it will "...put millions of Linux-based laptops into the hands of children worldwide."

Meanwhile, http://civillibertarian.blogspot.com/2006/12/bread-bread-... is daily reality. For $0.50 per child we can solve this problem? And this laptop costs how much? Yes, it's a distribution problem... but first give them food and the ability to read and write and THEN we can talk about giving them a Laptop. How many do you think would love to be given one of these... so they can sell it for food? Books are $2.00 in the third world? And this laptop costs how much?

I applaud the goals. Time to ask the educators. Ask the NGOs that work in those countries. Ask the children... that live in those countries, not yours. Flame away (or better still convince me otherwise) but it seems obvious to me that this is tragically misguided. In the mean time, I have a bunch of old machines that can run Linux that I can donate, and I bet you do too, instead of sending it back to China for landfill.

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 15, 2006 3:31 UTC (Fri) by ebiederm (subscriber, #35028) [Link]

So it is equal to the cost of 4 books a year for 12 years. I seem to remember having more text books per year than that. Which is just to say that the OLPC is not as completely bogus on the face of it from a cost perspective as you are implying.

The other thing to consider is that you can't solve just half the problem. You have to fix the structure of society if you want to keep people from starving. Education and communication technology is one of the most powerful steps I know towards empowering people, and empowered people at least have a chance of fixing things.

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 15, 2006 9:21 UTC (Fri) by Lockjaw (guest, #4611) [Link]

From the OLPC Wiki:

It should be mentioned that a common criticism of the project is to say, "What poor people need is food and shelter, not laptops." This comment, however, is ignorant of conditions in improvished nations around the world. While it is true there are many people in the world who definitely need food and shelter, there are multitudes of people who live in rural or sub-urban areas and have plenty to eat and reasonable accommodations. What these people don't have is a decent shot at a good education.

either/or

Posted Dec 15, 2006 9:54 UTC (Fri) by ldo (subscriber, #40946) [Link]

>In the mean time, I have a bunch of old machines that can run
>Linux that I can donate, and I bet you do too, instead of sending it
>back to China for landfill.

Nice thought, but no cigar. Those "old machines" you have are built for first-world conditions: they're not going to tolerate an unreliable electricity supply, or the regular wear-and-tear of any equipment that spends much time with schoolchildren, without ready access to a well-equipped repair shop if anything should go wrong.

In short, your suggestion is exactly the typical misguided one of a first-worlder who thinks they know what's good for those poor third-world folk. I'm on the side of the OLPC project on this one: don't patronize them, but give them the tools, and let them make the choices for themselves.

either/or

Posted Dec 15, 2006 20:38 UTC (Fri) by oak (guest, #2786) [Link]

Not to talk about how much less efficient their battery is, how much
heavier, how much they lack wireless capability and even if they have
that, how much more electricity these old machines would take.

Also, where one would suddenly get 5 million old laptops into which one
can put the same software (HW drivers) etc to ease maintenance and
maintainability? Each one of these old machines would need to be
"hand crafted". I bet cost of refurbishing would be more much expensive;
laptop spareparts are non-standard and cost a lot. A new battery would
be an absolute must for an old laptop (+ the power supply with a
crank :)).

<sarcastic>
Oh, yes, (richer part of) 3rd world should buy what we don't anymore
want and be thankful for it...
</sarcastic>

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 18, 2006 15:20 UTC (Mon) by emj (guest, #14307) [Link]

Actually usefull books are alot more than $2, sure you can get a pirated Lord of the ring for that.
The question though is where can you find the books that can't be printed in millions of copies in
Panama.

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 21, 2006 15:13 UTC (Thu) by forthy (guest, #1525) [Link]

bread, bread, bread..., is still this give-a-man-a-fish, and he's fed for one day. Teach him how to fish, and he's fed for the rest of his live.

It's actually much worse: If you just pump in food into poor countries, they'll be poorer and poorer, because poor contries have economies that base on food, and you kill their economy. So apart from countries with civil wars, it is not in the interest of the people there if you give them some bread. Really, it isn't. Don't spend your Xmas gift on that. It doesn't help, it just helps the organizations who organize this thing.

Furthermore, the actual situation in most countries of the world is far better than the typical US citizen imagines. People might need to cook their water before they can savely drink it, and they also need to cook their food before they can savely eat it (i.e. no salads and such like), but the vast majority of people have about enough to eat. There are a few countries, where people are not fed well enough. Funny enough, the US is the worst offender with children not fed as they need it, IIRC, 40% of the US children are overweighted, and therefore suffer physical harm from what they eat. 90% of the world has better (more healthy) food for their children than the US. A bit less than enough is far more healthy than too much.

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 28, 2006 12:10 UTC (Thu) by pmolina (guest, #42450) [Link]

i have had mixed feelings about this OLPC project.... and no.. im not one who says they need food and water before a laptop.... i do agree that we in "first world countries" tend to THINK we know what is best for third world countries.. and that kind of thinking is VERY arrogant..

My problem with this project is that we seem to want to make third world countries as dependant on technology as we are or a better statement would be, we want to enslave third world countries just like we are enslaved by technology.. ...

think about this for a second.. in todays schools or home here in the US, what child or how many children or even adults know how to use a card catalog at the library.. what child or adult knows how to use a standard typewriter WITHOUT spell checker... take away their computer and ask them to pick up a pen/pencil and a piece of paper and write a letter and mail it and see what happens... im all for education.. but just how we educate our children aswell as third world countries is where i have a problem.. i can see the OLPC as a very good "tool"... but im afraid that, as in the US, it will become a NECCESSATY rather than just another tool..

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 28, 2006 20:52 UTC (Thu) by hozelda (guest, #19341) [Link]

To everything great that you say, I ask you, would you give up complete access to computers along with everyone arround you so that yourself and everyone else will not be so weak and dependent?

A computer is an incredible tool. Obviously some will use it wrongly or not use it much, but it makes little sense to deny the masses access to them so they don't "hurt" themselves. Let the person decide. These aren't babies; these are kids! Hungry kids!!!

And for every skill lost to computers there is one gained. Maybe it isn't that crucial to know how to use a library card catalog until/unless you need to use one or unless you personally find value in that.

Having choices is good. Having the option to choose is good. Computers have tremendous potential.

In fact, if anything, I'd think that some in first world countries might accually just be afraid that high tech jobs will flow out of their countries (ie, not genuine concern for well-being of kids in olpc projects, but fear and desire to keep those kids dumm). However, first world countries can use a little competition to trim some of their fat. Maybe we will then start to take computers and education and card catalogs more seriously here.

Then again, people are people. In the end, competition will only increase so much, but there will be improvements in standard of living for everyone!

.. and traveling will be more fun (argueably) and less dangerous.

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Dec 29, 2006 3:28 UTC (Fri) by bronson (subscriber, #4806) [Link]

I agree that technology is the surest way straight into the productivity paradox. I just wish you had chosen better examples...

The Dewey Decimal System: dead, and thank goodness. It's well designed, yes, but totally arbitrary. Why teach it to new generations?

The Typewriter: also dead. Extremely wasteful in materials, time, and energy. I don't think anybody misses fingers covered in ribbon ink, having to retype an entire page just to fix a typo (and probably inserting two more), or those awful correction pads.

Pens/Pencils: My 6 year old niece has mastered this technology just fine. No need to worry.

Finally, I'm a little confused that you worry about kids not learning proper communication tools while you yourself ignore proper punctuation, grammar and style.

So, I agree... I'm worried that a virus will brick 50% of the OLPCs. Or that the black market will destroy their ubiquity (why do this if most of its owners sell them for one year of rice?). Or a bad cap in high humidity will force a mass recall after six months. This utter lack of biodiversity is downright scary and there are a thousand scenarios where the maintenance costs will be far higher than any benefit seen by students. We'll see.

But if it pushes typewriters or the Dewey Decimal System permanently into history, I shall praise the OLPC to the end of my days.

Playing with the OLPC

Posted Jan 8, 2007 3:17 UTC (Mon) by filteredperception (guest, #5692) [Link]

If I were a member of a militia dominating a piece of territory and had the ability to steal some of these laptops, I would reflash the OS to be a kiosk system that booted straight into a local mapping software (effectively a copy of google earth/maps running from 'disk' cache). This kiosk system would presume the keyboard was hidden and not used by the end user, except for transmitting encrypted instant messages to other team members.

You can say the keyboard is too small to be useful, but I've seen plenty of strange people who seem to almost like using blackberrys.

Just a thought...

Now if there was some unrewritable rom which had a copy of wikipedia including the text of historical documents denouncing slavery, thuggery, and advocating liberty and education, then perhaps the damage from misappropriation would be mitigated (assuming some incontravertable way to boot said unrewritable application. I.e. the commanding officers have no way to disable the feature without destroying the device).