Category: Digital Divide

Earthlink and Google Team Up To Close The Digital Divide in San Francisco

Okay, so these guys might not be purely motivated by the Digital Divide issue, but that’s what makes this the perfect example of social entrepreneurship. Here is the link to the NYTimes story: SF To Go Wireless. “You can’t continue to rhetorically talk about the digital divide and not do anything about it,” Gavin Newsom,… Continue reading Earthlink and Google Team Up To Close The Digital Divide in San Francisco

Libya Orders 1.2 Million Computers From OLPC

Earlier this week, the New York Times reported that the government of Libya has agreed to order 1.2 million computers from Nicholas Negroponte’s One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Project. “When I met with Qaddafi, it had all the mystique and trimmings expected: middle of the desert, in a tent, 50 degrees C. etc.,” Mr. Negroponte,… Continue reading Libya Orders 1.2 Million Computers From OLPC

Intel Unveils ClassmatePC- Rival To One Laptop Per Child

Intel recently unveiled the ClassmatePC, a budget laptop computer that’s been in the works ever since Craig Barrett called the OLCP laptop (akfa. $100 Laptop) a toy. The two camps have differing opinions on what aspects of computing are most relevant to students in underdeveloped countries. Intel argues for affordability and compatibility with mainstream software.… Continue reading Intel Unveils ClassmatePC- Rival To One Laptop Per Child

Acumen Investment Gives Fund Stake In Growing Technology Platform Transforming Rural India

Drishtee Kiosks Harness Technology to Increase Accessibility of Critical Information and Services Including Healthcare and Education New York, NY – Acumen Fund, a leading catalyst for sustainable, scalable solutions addressing poverty in South Asia and Africa, announced today that it has invested $1.6 million (~Rs.72 million) in Drishtee Dot Com, a rural Information and Communications… Continue reading Acumen Investment Gives Fund Stake In Growing Technology Platform Transforming Rural India

Green Wi-Fi Attempting to Close Digital Divide Through Solar Powered Wi-Fi Mesh Network

While the $100 Laptop is getting much attention these days, Green Wi-Fi is doing some equally interesting work in the space. A number of non profit entities focus on addressing the digital divide by providing internet access to developing areas. Green WiFi addresses one of the biggest barriers to success: the lack of reliable electricity… Continue reading Green Wi-Fi Attempting to Close Digital Divide Through Solar Powered Wi-Fi Mesh Network

$100 Laptop Secures 4 Million Orders, Ready For Production?

Earlier, I posted about Nigeria Ordering 1 Million $100 Laptops from OLPC However, this article on Desktop Linux suggests that OLPC has already secured four million orders that it needs to begin production, and that the earlier report was wrong. Either way, its all good news. Once an official report is out, I’ll post to… Continue reading $100 Laptop Secures 4 Million Orders, Ready For Production?

Weekend Links- Distribution of $100 Laptop

I only have one link this weekend– The Linux Extremist raises some important questions about the distribution of the $100 laptop. (via digg) Nigeria is the easiest and most accessible example; they have placed the first order for 1 million of these laptops. However, it’s difficult to see what mechanisms are in place so that… Continue reading Weekend Links- Distribution of $100 Laptop

Nigeria Says Yes To One Laptop Per Child, Orders 1 Million

Yesterday, things weren’t looking so good for Negroponte and his OLPC team, when India announced that they weren’t interested in the One Laptop Per Child computers. However, today vnunet is reporting that Nigeria just put in an order for one million machines. Production won’t start until five to ten million orders have been put in… Continue reading Nigeria Says Yes To One Laptop Per Child, Orders 1 Million