[OFFTOPIC] Re: One Laptop Per Child

[Pollywog]

On Monday 12 November 2007 19:06:28 Chuck Robey wrote:
>
> I wish it wasn't this way.  Maybe it's just in the schools I visited?
> If so, anyone have a better experience?  Until I hear of some, I won't
> contribute to any "computers for kids" deal, because  it only benefits
> big computer companies, who sell the machines, not the kids.

It is true that the companies that sell computers and software benefit, but 
the same could be said of companies that sell state-approved textbooks to 
schools (if you have seen those textbooks you know what I mean), the 
companies that sell shoes for sports, etc.  There is one large software 
company that gives some software to schools and then gets a tax cut even 
though it benefits down the line when those kids grow up to buy that 
company's software because that is the software they know.

I still think it is better for kids to know how to use computers, even if a 
few business people also benefit.