Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

mcewanw · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1906 Location: New Zealand

No doubt much still needs to be done software-wise on the XO, but if you are still not convinced that the OLPC/XO is the greatest thing to happen in the world of computing (and more than that) for decades, read the following:

http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20080107182525297

Oh, and really I should maybe say that Mary Lou Jepsen will be remembered as one of the greatest ever innovators in the field. Yes, a woman, no less... and we can look forward to the low-cost, high-efficiency $50 - $75 Jepsen lappie (or, for those living in Europe, the 50 Euro laptop). A rugged environmentally friendly laptop that will last for a long long time. Don't complain about the XO's temporary shortcomings, promote it and improve it.

It is also misplaced arrogance to imagine that RedHat's engineers are less than capable of greatly improving the XO's operating system. These guys will know Linux inside-out. I'm quite sure there are very many talented people working on Puppy Linux, including BarryK himself of course, but this is a small ship. Some of the best Linux gurus in the world work for Redhat (and why not... Redhat pays their wages).

I feel sorry for Nigeria (and others like them); they have been conned by Intel into adopting a machine they can't even read outside in the sun like alone afford to power. They are needing to use diesel backup generators to compensate for their country's unreliable national grid suppy. And then they will (if they can find the resources) have to build large, expensive and extensive wireless infrastructures to compensate for the very limited range and capability of the Classmate's wireless connection provision. Intel are indeed criminals and conmen. Nigeria's remote and widely-spaced rural villages would have benefited greatly from the XO's far superior wireless signal strength and its mesh capabilities.

Don't be greedy and whinge about the XO not yet matching up to your rich consumer expectations. Think of the planet as a whole for once. These are exciting times... Viva the XO!

Sage · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 4763 Location: GB

mcewanw · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1906 Location: New Zealand

Somebody (I think it may have been Dougal) mentioned earlier the probable reason why the XO is sluggish: Sugar is written in Python. Of course, Python is a good language choice for producing a sophisticated new interface in a short time, but yes, that comes with a speed penalty. But at least the strategy gets the machine out on the road quickly, and cheaply (part of the mission afterall). Python is a nice clean language; easy to re-engineer; don't be surprised when Sugar is later ported to something much faster (Python will remain a great choice for development purposes though).

It is Intel who will have to change. The Classmate will be dead and forgotten about in a few years. Intel will be paying to use Jepsen's designs.

Aitch · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 6825 Location: Chatham, Kent, UK

Sage said

Sage · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 4763 Location: GB

Dougal · Posted: Mon 14 Jan 2008, 09:20 Post subject:

BlackAdder · Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 382

This is one of two posts on the OLPC News Forum explaining how to install Ubuntu on an XO-1. http://olpcnews.com/forum/index.php?topic=1435.0
Looks as though it should be perfectly possible to get Puppy to run without needing as much resource as required for Ubuntu. Wink

But neither Puppy nor Ubuntu would be able to exploit the full capabilities of the machine without extra effort.

raffy · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 4734 Location: Manila

The BIOS and screen+controller are the ones unique for the XO, the rest should be the familiar Geode processor (LX700) and accompanying chips.

Dougal · Posted: Tue 15 Jan 2008, 08:08 Post subject: Re: Installing Ubuntu on OLPC XO-1

bear · Joined: 25 Dec 2007 Posts: 14

So, what could it be?

retry3 · Joined: 15 Aug 2006 Posts: 65 Location: Ohio

Please note my humble objection to the inclusion and content of the political propaganda that is polluting this thread.

retry3

Sage · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 4763 Location: GB

r3 : you are entitled to your opinion. Indeed, I will fight for your right to express it. But John has already made his decision. Unlike almost all other fascist websites originating in N America, he has decided that this one will espouse free speech. That includes political and religious comment. Just make sure you don't denigrate a fellow contributor. Please use Search for previous discussions. Apart from which, I am the originator of this thread. As long as it meets with John's acquiescence, interject anything you wish, but something vaguely appropriate would obviously be in line with John's general guidelines.

Afterthought: If you'd been following the plot, you'd've realised that OLPC is a very political issue.

mcewanw · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1906 Location: New Zealand

Can't say I've noticed much political propaganda on the thread anyway, but I do have a rather thick skin.