Windows on the XO

There seems to be some speculation floating around that Microsoft has adapted XP for the XO (the one laptop per child).  There is a video on YouTube of a Group Program Manager from Microsoft Corp. giving a demo of Windows XP running on the XO.  However, according to One Laptop per Child official Wiki, "The OLPC is continuing to develop a Linux-based software set for the laptop in conjunction with Red Hat. But since the OLPC project is open we cannot (and maybe even don't want to) stop other people from developing and supplying alternate software packages."  There are no plans to move from Linux-based software according to OLPC.  However, they do acknowledge that Microsoft has been working on adapting their operating system for this computer.  

This relatively mild controversy raises questions of literacy however.  If part of this project is help underprivileged  children to become literate in a digitally functioning world, why would you not possibly want these children to work on Apple  or Microsoft based system?  Part of the reason may be that added storage space is needed to run XP on the XO.  This may cause a rise in cost.  But there is possibly a better explanation to avoid contracting with Apple or Microsoft.  Waveplace, an organization for the promotion of the use of digital media in education in the Caribbean, "If someone tells you a child needs to learn Windows, ask them what they think Windows will be like when the child enters the workforce. Very likely, it won't resemble the Windows of today. Waveplace focuses on core computer fundamentals that apply to all computer systems, both now and in the future. What we teach them now will help them learn (and create) the software of tomorrow."     

The benefits of these laptops to these children are still under question however.  The XO took much criticism on YouTube under the video displaying XP on the XO.  One YouTubian commented "wow. those 3rd world kids arent interested in making spreadsheets or word documents. they want water and food and shelter. this is a pointless cause" (Ooshbala).  There is also some worry that the children would sell the laptop for food or merely use it as a porn machine.  But there were some serious comments about how antivirus software can run on these computers.  The assumption was that it would be major fail.  But, I did find it interesting that most of the worries were not focused on children's lack of nutrition, exposure to disease, substandard education, or access to shelter.  Instead, these commenters were mainly concerned that they would be wasting their tax write-off on a little peep show for a horny little under-privileged child.  This may point to larger issue of contrastive discourses.  Is this computer an extension of colonial discourse?  Some say yes and some say no.  I think I' will try to explore this in my next post.