[Today we welcome back SG, a twelve-year-old who previously reviewed the B2 version of the One Laptop Per Child computer. SG had a chance to examine the latest (B4) version of the OLPC machine and write a new review. As before, the review is unedited, just as SG wrote it. – Ed]
After my first review, the administrators at OLPC were kind enough to send Mr. Felten the newer model of the computer, the B4, for me to review. The difference between the two models was quite dramatic. Between new games, new applications, design changes, and a few touch ups for the system, the B4 clearly outshines the B2. I didn’t even know about a bunch of problems in the B2 until they got fixed in the B4!
The minute I picked the new computer up, I saw the physical differences. There are bumps on the handle of the B4. The B2 has none. The flip- up antenna on the B2 was encased in hard plastic, and on the B4, it’s just thick rubber. The keyboards are pretty much the same, apart from a few minor differences along the top. Once I opened it up and started it, I noted how much quicker it booted up than the B2. Then I saw the icons. The B2 has less than half the icons than the B4, which has 13!
As for games, entertainment, and the internet, this computer has bountiful resources. There were many new and fun programs. One of them, called “Block party”, is just plain old tetris with a different name. As I am not really gifted in tetris, I had a lot of fun losing repeatedly. The internet was a lot better on this newer laptop. In my last review, I complained about how slow it was and how the connection was so-so. In the B4, both of those problems have been fixed. It is quick, always connects, and is really very nice. If you don’t want to go on the web to read the new Freedom to Tinker article, “News Reader” lets you subscribe to websites’ feeds. In the games category, “Connect” is a game which can only be played on two separate OLPC laptops . The game is a little like tick tack toe. If you’ve ever played “Connect 4”, that’s the same game. If you want to watch some video clip from the web, “watch and listen”, OLPC’s media player, has you covered. Want some music? Use “tamtam”. This application is similar to Garageband, but not quite the same. Last but not least is “Record”. On the B2, “record” just took pictures with an okay camera. On the B4, you can take pictures with a pretty good camera AND record video with no time limit (as far as I can tell). I was surprised and overjoyed to discover I could take video with the new one.
One of the coolest applications is called simply “Chat”. It is basically an IM-ish kind of thing that works between all OLPC laptops. Since I got two laptops from OLPC, I could test out the chat application with my friends and family. I spent a lot of time having silent conversations with the friend sitting across the room, so that was fun. Etoys is another cool application, and it is definitely the program of a genius technologist. Although it is difficult to understand and use, once you get into the swing of things, it’s awesome. To use Etoys you make a “sketch” on the computer, then save it, and that’s where the fun begins. You can write “scripts” that make the sketch move around the screen in the way that you want. You can put it in “books” that have multiple pages for a flip book or make animations with it (ie. a bouncing ball, flying bird, eating kid, etc.). In Turtle Art, you get a chance to write a simple program that makes the turtle in the middle of the screen move. It’s very cool.
Last review, I said that my main problem with the computer was its slow speed and its battery charge. And I am happy to say that both of those problems have been fixed in the new version. It has more applications, higher quality camera, more games, a few design changes for the better, and much more. I tested how long it would stay alive by opening it and leaving it open. Surprisingly, it stayed awake for more than four hours! And some other testing revealed that the B4 does, in fact, auto save your documents and stuff if it runs out of battery while an unsaved document is on it. I like that feature, because there were many times with the B2 that I was typing and it just died, leaving me rather stunned for a couple seconds until I came to my senses and wearily plugged it in. Then it would take hours to charge up again. But in the B4, it charges up really quickly. Another minor turn for the better is the plug. Now they are greener, more round, easier to hold, and they have the XO sign on them.
I thought that this version was way better than the last one. It was just easier to figure out, more fun to spend time on, just better. It’s going to be hard to send it back to OLPC, but I’m going to have to. It’s great that they’re going to start selling them to the public. (You have to buy two, and you send one to a needy kid in a third world country and keep one for yourself. Read about it in the New York Times… …) I hope I can get one!
For a regular laptop, this would be the paragraph about its problems, its deficiencies. But the thing is, there aren’t any problems with this computer! Congratulations, OLPC. You’ve done it. Or will you come out with yet better laptops? Is that even possible? We’ll have to see…
Front page posts
brought and paid for by corporate america
or maybe it's just all true.
Is this really a review by 12 year old ?
If it is, it's great
SG,
Another great review. Thanks!
i think its better for all
ery few online high schools have education verification service Adison High School is amongst one of them. Accredited by International Accreditation Committee of Online Schools (IACOOS), Adison High School assists students and professionals in seeking alternative ways of studies other than the usual and traditional school systems
Greener plug, eh? Great! ;-)
I have to wonder whether the camera is really worth it in terms of the educational value of the laptop.
SG, some suggestions for your next post, if you make one: * What did you make with etoys? * Can you send an etoy production for other people with the XO laptop to see? * How do you find videos to watch? * How long does the battery work if you read something (instead of just leaving it alone for 4 hours)? And a thought, * How do you know they fixed some issues if you don't know what the original issue was? ;-)
Heh. As an OLPC developer, I immediately noticed one big problem: the 4 hour battery life. We ought to be able to do 14 at least. We're not suspending the processor at all right now because we're chasing down a tricky hardware bug with suspend. Once we get that squared away, we'll be suspending the processor whenever the machine is idle, which ought to let us achieve our designed battery life.
But I'm glad SG enjoyed the machine! We're continuing to try to make it better & better...
[...] One Laptop Per Child (New Version), Reviewed by 12-Year-Old [...]
Thanks for the followup review SG. It's great to hear about progress of the OLPC project from a user's perspective and it's good to hear that the laptop keeps getting better.
I look forward to reading future articles from you, should you wish to write them. :-)
The improvements in the OLPC laptops are indicating that the future of the education or learning is going to change even in third world countries.
I believe that the people who deny the concept of the distance learning as a viable source of learning must read this article. In this age, when people are moving towards the technological advancements, the learning is getting more and more convenient and the possibility of having education of international standards at their home through different online schools is increasing day by day.
I wish good luck to the project and the people who are donating a laptop are doing a great job for the humanity.
Allen @ http://www.schoolsgalore.com
Any chance for an A/B comparison between an Asus EEEPC and the OLPC as tested by SG? They seem like two approaches to the same problem, each with some merits.
I'm presuming that Asus do actually deliver a product some day soon.
[...] Freedom to Tinker » Blog Archive » One Laptop Per Child (New Version), Reviewed by 12-Year-Old [...]
SG, you write better than some professional tech writers I know, excellent review. It's also nice to see it reviewed by someone in the actual target audience, instead of the usual theoretical bickerings of the "experts". Don't get me wrong, we need the experts as well, but in the end, it's the kids who are going to use it.
I assume that you have some computer experience, that much is pretty evident from the review. What's your opinion on how difficult it is to get started for someone completely unfamiliar with computers, as this will be the case for most of the users?
The OLPC looks cool. I'm 38, and I still want a few of them. I'll probably get them under the coverup reason that the "buy 2, get 1" will help kids get them, but the real reason will be that they are pretty darn cool and I want them. As far as I'm concerned, on a global scale, this may very well be the biggest thing to happen in computing since the move to microcomputers.
Wow! I'm glad that SG is such an OLPC fanboy now. But again, I wish we could get concise and unedited children's review of OLPC XO technology from OLPC's target audience: poor children in the developing world who are not gifted writers by age 12.
Wayan is stinking the place again, phew..
hey listen smart guy i u call mi dads company sticky 1 more time ill come over there and eat ur pie.
Hmm, maybe my previous comment was uncalled for, sorry for that.
But It just gets on my nerves the deceiving argumentative "art" of Wayan Wota. For example, he begins his comment positively, with a Wow, but manages to insert a little stab, calling this kids positive review as "fanboyism". Then calls for a lack of reviews from the developing world. He knows that Pilots have been going on during this year in many countries, and that obviously 5,6,7,8 year old kids, which so far have been the receivers, can't write as well, and obviously wouldn't be able to provide the larger perspective on the laptop, that this review could, since most won't be able to compare with other simillar technologies. I'm not saying that feedback wouldn't be interested, and although it has been coming from the teachers (see olpc.tv and the school pilots category at wiki.laptop.org) it's also been comming from kids.
What is impressive of this review, that Wayan stupidingly calls fanboysm, is that it is done by a tech kid, who has some perspective on computing to make a usefull comparison. The result was that it rocks, technology-wise. While that is only half the project's shtick, it's excellent news.
SG, I couldn't write a review like that even if I were to put my thinking hat on, BRAVO!
Sadly enough it's the first time I've heard of OLPC. Wonderful program. I'm tempted to steal my husband's Visa (mine is full) and buy a whole bunch. It would make us very proud to participate.
P.S. Stupidingly great word by the way :)) If you don't mind, I'm adding this one to my dictionary!!
Well done.
A brilliant review from exactly the people who will use it.
Keep up the good work kid, your writing style is great. Why not write some more articles on different subjects??
[...] September review, by 12-year-old [...]
I just wanted to thank SG for both the reviews. They're articulate, interesting and to the point.
[...] it seems like they got everything that right in the latest model of the kinderlappy - as reviewed by it’s target audience: I thought that this version was way better than the last one. It was [...]
I came across your blog while I did a search on Google for new computer games and your article on One Laptop Per Child (New Version), Reviewed by 12-Year-Old was informative.
Please elaborate. How was it informative on the subject of computer games??? I find this claim a bit baffling since it mainly deals with the hardware and general capabilities of the laptop, and doesn't go into any detail about its gaming capability or specific games SG may have played on it.
Kudos to SG for another informative review!
I have some random thoughts and questions of my own...
How does the OLPC functions as an ebook reader? The flip-around screen which can be read even in sunlight, with the nifty handle, make this device appear to be a superior ebook reader device. I might even get one for myself to use for an ebook reader!
Are educational programs for teaching subjects other than computing included? At the very least, I would think a math drills program, and perhaps a math tutorial, would be beneficial. Does the software include a program to teach keyboarding (typing) skills?
I am also thinking the video camera could be a useful tool for parents and teachers to use to communicate to one another, especially when the parents have limited literacy skills.
[...] ConFigures » Blog Archive » 1 Laptop Per … Christmas? wrote a fantastic post today on “Comment on One Laptop Per Child (New Version), Reviewed by 12-Year …”Here’s ONLY a quick extract[…] September review, by 12-year-old […] [...]
I was sold on the concept when I first read about it- I've just bought my Buy One Get One and the one I get is going to a neat little boy I know-
He's 11 and a real reader- we'll see how Patrick like it!
I was sold on the concept when I first read about it- I've just bought my Buy One Get One and the one I get is going to a neat little boy I know-
He's 11 and a real reader- we'll see how Patrick likes it!
I ordered up the buy-two-get-one deal. I expect I'll make my own review of the laptop and then donate it to a local elementary school. I really don't understand why people would be so critical of OLPC - the only question I have is, will it prove to be of real value in the field? I can't answer that question, but I'm willing to put some effort into finding out, hence my sponsorship.
As for OLPC being "brought [sic] and paid for by corporate america" - how do you figure that? I mean, if it shipped with Windows, maybe. If the UI was smothered with popup-ads, maybe. But as it is the laptop and the software is not branded. It's being deployed in areas where, even if the local populace wanted to, they can't be substantial contributors to corporate America.
As far as the review in this blog is concerned, it's a start but I too would be interested in seeing feedback from third-world children, even if it's not polished or very detailed. Just to know that they are actually using the laptops on their own would be worthwhile.
If a twelve year old can write like this then I have to say: America, we have taught our children right! I wish all adults can write like this.
I took a couple of the earlier machines with me when I went to Africa in June. Particularly in a community of learners on machines with an intuitive interface, information spreads quickly to help anyone missing something. I took B2 machines. It looks like they really fixed the rough spots, now.
One thing for those who want to buy one: One of the best part is the large number of activities with collaboration built in, for which one or more nearby friends should have one, too. Good to consider buying G1G1 x 2.
And the software advances keep coming, and all the software is free. There will be better versions than what come now with the B4. With a flash drive and internet access you can download the next version easily and reboot to install the new image.
I< too , am a big proponent of education. As a healt care provider, now vision oriented, I have had the opportunity of working in third world countries such as Oman and Vietnam. My last 30 plus years have been spent in the Third World here in the USA, ie, American Indian Reservations. These reservations mimic the hunger, poverty, disease ridden environment we see in sub Saharan Africa. Bill Gates has provided some computer access to the reservation. Has your group approached him or other corporate resources to facillate our own third world childrens education with this wonderful program. My own Give 1 get 1 order was placed today. Thank you for caring about children and education . They are the future of the world.
Just bought my buy-two-get-one, can't wait until I receive it!
Thanks for the review, SG. That was very well written.
Now, let's just hope the suspend bug is fixed before the laptops are shipped!
Amen to Dr. Jim. Since first reading about this machine and the program's aim, I've wondered why we don't have at least equal emphasis on getting these into the hands of kids here in the U.S. Teach for America might be the perfect way to get them distributed. How about we all encourage our companies to sponsor one Teach for America teacher...give them enough B4s to outfit all of their kids...and off they go? How about a program where G1G1 means one goes overseas and one goes to a child here in the U.S. So much potential. What a great opportunity.
SG Seriously Awesome Review. Other sites should think about how they write to make it from the users perspective not from Corp America. Try not force feeding us garbage and tell us what you really think and what you like/dislike. We could all learn something from this.
One thing I haven't figured out yet. What form of recharging are they shipping with the laptop, for those that are off the grid. They talk about solar, windup, etc., but I don't see any specs that include the recharging method.
have two grandchildren, age 4 and 6, we are teaching them how to use our computers and hope this B4 will help also. Would like a review from someone who is not so knowledgeable as the 12 old boy. Someone who has not used a pc before.
Dr. Jim Hughes:
> Bill Gates has provided some computer access to the reservation. Has your group approached him or other corporate resources to facilitate our own third world childrens education with this wonderful program [...]
Sadly, this would not be a program of interest to mr. Gates (not even Sr, let alone Jr). For starters, the machine runs a flavor of Linux, which Gates sees pretty much as one of his "arch enemies" or "achilles heels" w.r.t. his own baby, Windows.
A bit more off-topic: I am also quite cynical/sceptical about his foundation's goals/aims. W.r.t. a lot of their activities, you will find that they look good on paper (e.g. providing vaccines for children in Nigeria) - until you get down into some of the details: (1) Gates is one of the major shareholders of GlaxoSmithBarney, who were tasked with developing these vaccines. (2) These vaccines contained nearly twice the amount of Thimerasol as those that were distributed in the USA in the 90s, before this additive was outlawed due to its link to Autism, Aspbergers, ADHD/ADD, etc. Indeed, after the introduction of these vaccines on the Nigerian market, the rates of autism has increased tenfold. (3) This was known to the Nigerian government; they were initially going to reject this vaccination programme - but suddenly changed their minds without further explanation. Now, instead, parents will go to jail if they refuse these vaccines for their children. It should be noted that this is not the first/only time that Gates/MSFT is believed to be involved in bribery. (http://www.klinghardt.org/docs/Autism%20Paper%2012%2005%2021.pdf).
Another example, again from Nigeria: Mandriva (a Linux distributor) had an agreement to distribute some computers (in a fashion similar to OLPC) - before MSFT stepped in, bribed some local officials, in order to load these machines with Windows instead. Link:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/01/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-part-xlviii-mandriv...
I realize that this post is off-topic w.r.t OLPC. I just wanted to dispel the myth that Gates might be in favor of anything good, like the OLPC project.
Thanks for your follow-up review, SG. Hopefully, someone will be giving you one via G1G1 promotion as I'd be curious to see your opinion of the version that ships. I ordered one today and I'm very glad to hear they fixed a lot of the criticisms that you described in your review of the B2 machine in the B4. I have to say I get a little tired of people comparing the OLPC to the ASUS EEE. They are two separate beasts that I think are great but should not be lumped to together when one is critiquing them. I am even more excited about getting one after reading your reviews and the progress that has been made in between versions. I will be using my OLPC to watch videos and read E-books when traveling via trains and planes, doing quick research while I'm sitting in Borders during my weekly visits to browse through magazines to determine the ones I'll buy for that week or to research reviews of books and CDs that I'm interested in buying (thanks to T-mobile for their complimentary hotspot service and the solar charger will be a great addition since the cafe in the Borders faces south and gets a lot of sunlight and usually all the outlets are in use when I get there) and making VOIP calls and god knows what else. And I know my nieces and nephews will want to ge their hands on it and won't bother me one bit since it's so durable whereas I freak out anytime they get near my regular laptop!
I hope this promotion is a great success!
Congratulations OLPC for implementing a solution instead of complaining about a problem. Well done. **Extremely well done.**
About the review, it was written very well, better than many adults can achieve, even with spelling and grammar checkers.
For the people looking for all the bells and whistles on these all terrain vehicles, I feel sorry for their lack of compassion, empathy as well as for their level of ignorance.
Until you live in a third world country, and live local life, you can't appreciate what you have back home. Of course, in the US, you can find a lot of homeless and poor people but that's their choice. Not so in the heartlands of Africa.
OK, I just participated in the "Buy Two Get One" deal... Hope it comes by Xmas. I have a 3-year old that will (probably) benefit from having this clever gadget (pardon, educational tool) around. (OK, I admit, this was my main driver. To get one for my child. Donating one is only the icing on the cake...)
I don't have very high expectations regarding the capabilities, but my child has zero :), so she cannot be disappointed...
What I am looking forward the most is the current and future softwares that can make my child smarter and happier...
What we need now is a parent's forum here in the US to interact so we can make the most out of this tool! Also, do we know if the video messaging software is compatible with the major players? (Like Windows Messenger??)
Just ordered my b2g1 laptop. Love the idea and am thrilled to get this for myself and my son--he is developmentally delayed and wants a computer--this seems to be intuitive and sturdy for him to use and perfect way to give to another child. Am going to pass this info around my son's school, maybe we can sponsor a school in Africa--what a great way for kids to get the laptops for a classroom here and there!
I think this laptop is a great idea and the buy one give one program an even better idea. I love the idea that we can send one of these machines to someone that needs it.
I can't wait to see the outcome of this program in a year or two. Just think of all those people that do not have access to technology suddenly getting it. They have no preconceived notions. It should be amazing.
It would have been cool to actually know who got the other laptop. It would have been neat communicating with them.
Sounds like a wonderful tool, but I thought I had heard in a previous report that this cranks to power up? if it is only battery powered, that seems like a big limitation. Are the developers looking at a crankup version too?
Was also wondering, in the third world countries where this computer is going, what percentage will actually have free internet access??
Last concern: while it sounds like a mesmerizing gadget for children who certainly deserve any form of enrichment, I would love to hear more stories of its actually being used in ways that help kids learn. . .
We just participated last night. We are so excited! Our two children, ages 8 and 11, heard about this with us a few months ago. When we checked the web site and heard about this upcoming program, we withheld donating until we could "Get 2", also. These are our children's "big" Christmas presents.
Great review, by the way, SG. I expect that the bug mentioned in the 9/12 post would have been fixed by now, which is why they've delayed the launch into the US. They are very concerned about criticism from spoiled Windows users.
Our kids know this is not a Windows or Gaming computer. They do use our computer for PC games, but have no computers of their own and do not have any GameBoys, etc. I'm hoping they're not too spoiled to appreciate this terrific machine.
What I really want is for them to use their computers with each other and the web sites children with these machines access. What a way to chat to gain penpals from overseas! And to share tips, knowledge, perhaps even participate in the same program... I'm not exactly certain how these machines connect/communicate with each other but I see potential here, real potential, that could change over the next 5/10/20 years. That's why we're so excited.
We're hoping others in the neighborhood participate too, so we could really see the "mesh network" in action. What a way for a teacher to track what his/her students are doing. We've already heard complaints from my son's teacher that, "He had 2 hrs. to work on mapping and he spent it all downloading pictures and not on the writing." Our reply was to keep him off the computer if she can't supervise what he's doing, but with this system, teachers can "see" what their students are working on.
I don't have any hope of the US schools being "invaded" by these machines; they're too entrenched with Apple, but too bad....
Looking forward to the future of the world!
If you don't have access to a "hotspot", can you still use the WRITE word processing & the other applications?
[...] read up on the reviews at The New York Times, Freedom to Tinker, and Laptop Magazine [...]
Nice review, SG! I confess that I had not read it until after I "doubled up" and ordered 2 laptop packages..... (I had been wishing I could have a laptop like that for myself for $200 -- and had a "lightbulb" moment, where it occurred to me that I could actually "eat my cake and have it, too"
As for your review, I believe that you did indeed write it. I might have written a review myself back when I was 12 -- except for the slight hurdles of not much for me to review back in 1958, the lack of an audience, and the hiatus of my typing skills....... i.e., the time between my 3-year-old self pounding (and I mean that literally!) on the keys of an old manual typewriter and running to ask my mom if "this is a word?" and my "learning" to type in 13-14 years later in the class so wonderfully named "Personal Typing."
Granny Annie
PS. There were indeed things to review back in 1958 -- but, lacking a driver's license.... not much of interest!
The next person who assumes SG must be a boy gets a boot to the head.
Great reviews!
Okay, Any -- time to stand down! (or maybe stand up)
I confess to being guilty of bringing gender into the convo, because I am indeed a grandmother.
Any, there may indeed be battles to fight; however, not here, not now
Just my $.02 worth (and where did that dang cents sign on the keyboard go, anyways???)