It looks like a lot of criticism of this project comes from people who think "well if I was in a third world country I couldn't achieve anything with an OLPC", well there are more talented people than them around. Why deny people the chance to look how to improve their crops, diagnose disease, find and share best practice with the problems that affect them?. The mobile phone has helped third world counties more than any amount of aid, it seems unlikely that the OLPC will not be a benefit.

RH, Lund, Sweden

Before you judge the OLPC, M. Fitt, you should really take a look at what they're trying to do and their reasons for doing it. I applaud the fact that they have gotten as far as they have - despite the ridiculous amount of hurdles placed in front of them by Intel, Microsoft et al.
Any computer professional will tell you that the concept, technology and morals behind this project are truly groundbreaking and worthy of nothing but the highest respect.

Dave, Munich, Germany

Why introduce computer laptops into Third World nations which are unable to build modern societies or even adequately feed their people?This is like giving cars to folks who have no roads. and no basic technology to build them.

M. Fitt, Arlington, Texas USA

You make it sounds as if the project is all doom and gloom. Ths is is a minor hurdle, in one country known for its corruption and you are writing as if this was putting the whole project in jeopardy. The project is a little bit late and has a little overrun, but is still broadly viable. Give the company who is trying to bring no-strings attached computer literacy to poor countries a break.

Mike K, London,

on e has to be wary of westerners bearing gift to africa, yes on the surface it looks good,its reminds of 3d glasses given away at films terminals,capitialist countries are the darth vader of africa,and obsolete gifts to access anew generation of customers is compatable with previous preachers to africa.

michael joseph heavey, cahersiveen>adams towns, madness

Whatever the shortcomings of their product history will record that OLPC forced the world to think about children in the developing world and how they were being left behind by technology. It is intsructive to see that bigger technology companies have started to take notice thanks to OLPC.

Nyengeterai, Stoke on Trent,

Introducing all those rich Nigerian generals to the concept of aggressively speculative litigation? Is that _really_ such a good idea?

That, of course, is the problem with cultural imperialism – you always end up exporting the bits of your culture you'd really rather not export, and leaving all the good bits at home.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

The soft will come from the net and if these hardware companies care so much about these afrikaaners; why not just produce the intel tech there and not argue the rest too much.

Nid Hidoum, Tel Aviv, Isreal

Is this article out of date?

According to pcmag Nicholas Negroponte has changed his view of Intel and olpc and Intel now collaborate:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2158614,00.asp

Julian Sweet, Brussels,

I've seen one of these 'laptops' and it's rubbish.

A bizarre user interface that's virtually unusable, no tech support (apparently teachers and kids in these third world countries will be expected to 'self support' the machine and software), no real software and no real instruction on using the kind of operating systems used in business and industry such as UNIX, MAC OS X and, yes, the dreaded Windows.

Not really a helpful tool, it's like learning to use a Sinclair Spectrum and then being asked to sit down and use Word or Photoshop.

Clive, key west,

How much do you want to bet someone has patented the question-mark key in Uruguay?
What a headache...

Lars, Dallas,