One Laptop Per Child

If you've never heard of the "$100 laptop," you will. The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) foundation, based in Cambridge, MA, is probably the most revolutionary international development projects to date. And I'm not just saying that because this is my first blog and I want you to read on. Billed as "an education project, not a laptop project," OLPC hopes to integrate basic education and technology in the developing world and help "bridge the digital divide."

The nonprofit has designed a laptop also known as the "green machine," the "Children's Machine," and now the XO specifically for poor children in developing countries living in harsh and remote environments. In August 2007, Quanta, the laptop manufacturer in Taiwan that makes 1/3 of the worlds laptops, will mass produce XO initially for in seven countries: Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil, Libya, Nigeria, Thailand and Uruguay.

In addition to its innovative wireless communication parts, built-in camera, and collaborative office suite, the laptop has completely re-thought the user interface, and uses 10x less power than the standard laptop today.

No wonder 19 U.S. governors also want the laptops for their states.

Check out OLPC's website or wiki for more background. It will probably become a common thread in this blog.