OLPC is DOOMed

Author: Wil Harris
Published: 29th November 2006
Comments (10) Stumble
Leave the nice children, get some DOOM action.

Leave the nice children, get some DOOM action.

As hardcore PC gamers, we're all aware of the awesomeness of first person shooters. As hardcore computer geeks, we're also all aware of the awesomeness of getting Doom on any device that can possibly execute some semblance of x86 code.

We've seen Doom on the iPod, iRiver, Nintendo DS, PSP, Pocket PC, Symbian mobiles and the Xbox - thanks to the fact that the source code for the game is easily available and, by today's standards, fairly simplistic.

Well, this legacy has not been lost on those working on the OLPC team. Having just received their first shipments of the $200 computers, the engineers don't worry about saving the world's problems as quickly as possible - they take some time out to port Doom to the Sugar OS and stick the videos on YouTube.

Then, they play the game with both full-on colour and monochrome modes to illustrate the, er, versatility of the device.

With Brazil and Argentina due to get the devices very soon, how long is it likely to be before we see these hit eBay? We certainly wouldn't mind a few here at BitHQ to play with.

Go check out the videos then let us know your thoughts over in the forums.
Quote specofdust 29th November 2006, 11:24
Quote:
Originally Posted by article
With Brazil and Argentina due to get the devices very soon, how long is it likely to be before we see these hit eBay? We certainly wouldn't mind a few here at BitHQ to play with.

Well you shouldn't bloody buy them! This is a very noble but also fairly delicate enterprise. If the wrong people find a market for these things, then they're going to end up not in the hands of those who really need them but the hands of those who fancy a cheap green computer. Buying them is supporting that market, ruining the project, and crapping on all the people these things could seriously help. Don't.
Quote DougEdey 29th November 2006, 11:25
I would rather have that ultra efficient laptop that Tim posted about in the press releases.

PS: I'm blaming Tim atm for it not coming out in the UK as if he didn't tell us about it I wouldn't care ;)
Quote gar 29th November 2006, 11:49
Quote:
(Specofdust)Well you shouldn't bloody buy them!
Quote <A88> 29th November 2006, 16:44
Never knew they'd gone up to $200. Either way I'm inclined to agree with Spec on this one...even if they do appear on ebay, it'd be wrong of any of us to buy one. There are tons of gadgets and lappies that most of us can easily afford, so it's only fair that for once this less well off kids have something cheap that us richer peeps can't get our hands on. Until they're officially released in well developed countries, I won't be getting one.

<A88>
Quote Cabe 29th November 2006, 16:59
Heres an idea, selling to the OLPC to er, anyone that wants one. Make them $300 per laptop on the "retail" version, offer them in "fresh new colours" and use it to help fund the ones going to the poorer economies.

Am I the only one that see's this as a good idea?

After all I know in the UK there are plenty of families that cant afford to buy a laptop that would love the option of a simple cheap machine for thier kids.
Quote Techno-Dann 29th November 2006, 17:02
I think that's a very good idea, Cabe. Make those of us who can afford $300 help those who can't afford a $200 laptop.
Quote steveo_mcg 29th November 2006, 17:58
Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno-Dann
I think that's a very good idea, Cabe. Make those of us who can afford $300 help those who can't afford a $200 laptop.

Ditto to that
Quote <A88> 29th November 2006, 20:22
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cabe
Heres an idea, selling to the OLPC to er, anyone that wants one. Make them $300 per laptop on the "retail" version, offer them in "fresh new colours" and use it to help fund the ones going to the poorer economies.

Am I the only one that see's this as a good idea?

After all I know in the UK there are plenty of families that cant afford to buy a laptop that would love the option of a simple cheap machine for thier kids.
I love it! So long as all countries have to pay the same amount (pre-tax) for them, then it's a good idea. Maybe Bono should use them for his Red campaign (although I'd prefer it if they provided a can of black plasti-kote as well ;)).

<A88>
Quote speedfreek 29th November 2006, 21:45
Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno-Dann
I think that's a very good idea, Cabe. Make those of us who can afford $300 help those who can't afford a $200 laptop.
That would be fair. They seem to be pretty tough so they would be great for kids to work with.
Quote DXR_13KE 29th November 2006, 23:30
Cabe that is a wonderful idea.... why don't they come up with ideas like this?
Cabe FOR PRESIDENT!!!!! :D
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