@Alex, @Evans,

Interesting open-source ideas.  HOWEVER, you agree with me that the decision-makers on what software eventually runs on these laptops stand to gain-ZERO viza viz potentially gaining millions if they go the proprietary way. You dont need much research to know which Softwares will be running on these laptops come early next year.

After all there is a track record with the government sponsored e-Maddo experiment 5yrs ago.  Indeed, I will not be surprised to learn that the decision has already been made on which software to use on these laptops and so this discussion maybe belated and overtaken by events.

walu.
From: Alex Gakuru <gakuru@gmail.com>
To: Brian Ngure <brian@pixie.co.ke>
Cc: Evans Ikua <ikua.evans@gmail.com>; "isoc@lists.my.co.ke" <isoc@lists.my.co.ke>
Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2013 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: [ISOC_KE] Should students be given laptops or e-readers?

If the objective of government is to open worlds of innovation possibilities, then the Kindle would be a disastrous vendor lock-in move, just as having laptops with failing Microsoft Windows. One wonders what sales pitch/offers/deals Microsoft would be pursuing behind the scenes?
Noted this Kindle sales pitch and never expected mention of proprietary (AZW, KF8) formats (standards platform) and hassles involved in file formats conversion (to kids!) and vendor lock-in. Nor Amazon's reserved ability/terms of use/right to remotely delete content from any Kindle device. In short, Amazon gets to decide what can be installed and or read on the device and they can unilaterally delete whatever is installed which they don't want. read more at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Kindle.

Kinda difficult to understand why government policy does not explicitly state that the laptops will be installed with Free and Open Sources Software (right down from the Operating System and upwards) and Open(-licensed) Educational Resources (OER) - supported by UNESCO http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/access-to-knowledge/open-educational-resources/ and Commonwealth of Learning http://www.col.org/resources/speeches/2011presentation/Pages/2011-11-23.aspx
      
Regards,

Alex

On May 19, 2013 1:26 AM, "Brian Ngure" <brian@pixie.co.ke> wrote:
Question: how would this help students whose nearest power source is 30 km or more away? Or are you only thinking of students in urban areas?
I think it should not be one or the other, but a mixture of both depending on certain factors, e.g power availability, etc. What say you?
On May 19, 2013 1:14 AM, "Grace Githaiga" <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote:
Retailing for about Sh4,200 a piece, the Kindle 4 e-reader can carry thousands of books, lasts up to two weeks on a single charge and is relatively easy to use. The 2G/3G model costs Sh10,900.


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