Intel - stopping poor children from getting computers

[chunkymonster]

Yeah I'm sure AMD isn't writing off any of their donations to this guy either.

Getting a tax write-off for donating funds is far different from direct selling for profit.

 

[Zorg]

You miss the point. The One Laptop Per Laptop effort is not-for-profit. Not-for-profit companies only recoup enough to cover expenses.

Not-for-profit doesn't mean that no one is making money. I suggest that you check Google for the salaries of the people running these not-for-profit companies, I think that you would be appalled. I'm not saying that Negroponte isn't sincere but just because it's a non-profit company doesn't mean diddle squat.

 

[Stewartwi]

I believe in the end we could all argue this subject till we are blue in the face. I whole heartedly agree that every child should have a lap top it's a great idea but I'm not going to get upset because Intel is trying to do it too regardless of their means or reasons for it. I guess I just believe too much that the ends justify the means.

 

[Zorg]

I recommend 'Lord of War' as an excellent exploration of these issues. I don't know the answers myself, but I like people to think about them.

Do my eyes deceive me or are you actually suggesting that we use Hollywood to give us any insight on anything :?: Now I have seen it all :!:

 

[jamiepotter]

I hear your disdain, but you've provided no reasons to back it up. Once again, the issue is not a factual one, but whether one can really distinguish the money-making from the effects, and what the moral consequences should be. I don't see why a film that is made in some region of California should be considered exempt from making valid contributions to this topic. Perhaps you might offer some reasons?

 

[1Tanker]

I hear your disdain, but you've provided no reasons to back it up. Once again, the issue is not a factual one, but whether one can really distinguish the money-making from the effects, and what the moral consequences should be. I don't see why a film that is made in some region of California should be considered exempt from making valid contributions to this topic. Perhaps you might offer some reasons?

Films in hollywood are all about making money. The same evil that sparked this thread.

 

[tm84p]

two things to say about this

1)If Legrowhateverhisnameis is so passionate about getting computer literacy to kids why would he be so adamant about selling only HIS laptops to them? If the same "dream" he has is being fulfilled by someone else wouldn't he be thankful, dare I say grateful? Yeah he was treated like shit by a large corporation but so are most people.

2)I am not an intel fanboy, I always prefered AMD till the C2D's came out but you can't really take Intel to task over them using tax write off's to help others and help themselves at the same time. Most not-for-profits use those same tax write off laws to fund their operations. Whether it is getting donated goods for tax writeoffs, getting cash donations, vehicle donations, whatever it is most of those donations are recieved from people with Tax writeoffs in mind. I work in a not-for-profit organization and i can tell you most people would not donate their vehicle\house\boat\whatever without the tax writeoff there. Intel saw an opportunity to get some good PR, save some money, and help some people and they took it. Unfortunately they stepped on some peoples toes to do it but it isn't like they are the only ones doing it. Nonprofits are always stepping on each others toes as well as having others step on theirs. It has gotten so bad some people are starting to treat NPO's as a business and are using business tactics when the whole idea of an NPO is to help others. It is sad but it is life. There are lots of others things worse going on, I don't think we need to feel sorry because one computer company is helping poor children better than a smaller NPO.

 

[Zorg]

I hear your disdain, but you've provided no reasons to back it up. Once again, the issue is not a factual one, but whether one can really distinguish the money-making from the effects, and what the moral consequences should be. I don't see why a film that is made in some region of California should be considered exempt from making valid contributions to this topic. Perhaps you might offer some reasons?

You are kidding, right? We are talking about Hollywood aren't we? If I have to give you any reasons other than it's Hollywood, then discussing this point any further would be an effort in futility. Hollywood... get it?

 

[Zorg]

I hear your disdain, but you've provided no reasons to back it up. Once again, the issue is not a factual one, but whether one can really distinguish the money-making from the effects, and what the moral consequences should be. I don't see why a film that is made in some region of California should be considered exempt from making valid contributions to this topic. Perhaps you might offer some reasons?

Films in hollywood are all about making money. The same evil that sparked this thread. It's not about the fact that they are all about making money, it's about the fact that they are all dumber than bricks.

Edit: I'm sorry for making such a sweeping generalization, I know it's wrong. Let me revise that to 98% are dumber than bricks

 

[Slobogob]

I understand that. Hollywood could make donating money for starving kids look like the most horrible thing possible. Got it?

 

[joefriday]

Exitus acta probat

If we really care about the CHILDREN here, we should be happy that Intel is offering these laptops EVEN CHEAPER than the OLPC project. After all, we're talking about what's best for the children, correct? If their governments can now afford more of these Intel laptops because of the reduced price, which Intel is supposedly taking A LOSS on each (how does that = profit, people?), that means more children can now receive a laptop, or that their governments have more money left over for FAR MORE IMPORTANT THINGS, such as improving sewer, agriculture, telecommunications, roadways, and immunizations.

Yes, this all sounds very evil. Those poor children. I guess their governments would rather serve in the best interest of the people than support morality and open source. Dumb bastards. :roll:

 

[Slobogob]

If we really care about the CHILDREN here, we should be happy that Intel is offering these laptops EVEN CHEAPER than the OLPC project. After all, we're talking about what's best for the children, correct? If their governments can now afford more of these Intel laptop because of the reduced price, which Intel is supposedly taking A LOSS on each (how does that = profit, people?), that means more children can now receive a laptop, or that their governments have more money left over for FAR MORE IMPORTANT THINGS, such as improving sewer, agriculture, telecommunications, roadways, and immunizations.

I was just about to type that when i read your post. Thanks you for bringing some more reason to this naive and simple-minded thread.

Yes, this all sounds very evil. Those poor children. I guess their governments would rather serve in the best interest of the people than support morality and open source. Dumb bastards. :roll:

Indeed. Those self-proclaimed "improve the world" semi-intellectuals that see evil everywhere make me sick.

 

[turpit]

And Intel kiled Kenny too. The Bastards!

 

[Gneisenau]

I agree with you there Joe. Since one company was dontating the computers to the children, and the other is selling computers to the governments of these contries at below cost (less than profit) for the children, (If I understood the way they both work.) then it seems to me a way to get a lot more computers into the hands of children. (All the dontated ones, plus the ones sold by Intel.) I don't see why you can't do both.

 

[chunkymonster]

You miss the point. The One Laptop Per Laptop effort is not-for-profit. Not-for-profit companies only recoup enough to cover expenses.

Not-for-profit doesn't mean that no one is making money. I suggest that you check Google for the salaries of the people running these not-for-profit companies, I think that you would be appalled. I'm not saying that Negroponte isn't sincere but just because it's a non-profit company doesn't mean diddle squat.

Ok, Johnny-come-lately, of course people have to make a living, don't be stupid. You can't deny a man's right to earn a living, but I doubt Dr. Negroponte's lifestyle is anything like that of Paul Otellini or Craig Barrett. Please feel free to post some stats or links of the non-profit companies and the salaries, including OLPC.

 

[T800-101]

You Intel fanboys are fucking RETARDS.

Intel knows exactly what they are doing. They are dumping an alternative out there to drive out the competition before they can reach a critical mass to make the project viable. But a simple minded Intel dick sucking fanboy cannot understand this.

This is modus operandi for Intel though, so no surprise at all.

 

[chunkymonster]

Exitus acta probat

If we really care about the CHILDREN here, we should be happy that Intel is offering these laptops EVEN CHEAPER than the OLPC project. After all, we're talking about what's best for the children, correct? If their governments can now afford more of these Intel laptops because of the reduced price, which Intel is supposedly taking A LOSS on each (how does that = profit, people?), that means more children can now receive a laptop, or that their governments have more money left over for FAR MORE IMPORTANT THINGS, such as improving sewer, agriculture, telecommunications, roadways, and immunizations.

Yes, this all sounds very evil. Those poor children. I guess their governments would rather serve in the best interest of the people than support morality and open source. Dumb bastards. :roll:

Will Intel invest in the countries infrastructure or install generators to power the laptops they sell? Will they construct schools and classrooms so the children can learn to use the laptops? Will they leave Intel employees on site to offer support and guidance? Or, will they pocket the cash from the sale and walk away?

Putting a laptop into a kids hands is one thing, leaving behind a legacy to support ongoing learning and education is another.

 

[BaronMatrix]

I think it's all BS. As if these kids (in third-world countries) need a computer....they need food, shelter, and medications/vaccinations. $130 would probably feed a kid for 6months-a year. :x :x

Yes they do need those things you mentioned but if they are to ever to get out of poverty then they are going to have to have an education and these laptops could help to provide that. Really the governments of these countries need to step up and provide for their people.


Give a man a fish.....

Teach a man how to fish......

 

[BaronMatrix]

You Intel fanboys are ****** RETARDS.

Intel knows exactly what they are doing. They are dumping an alternative out there to drive out the competition before they can reach a critical mass to make the project viable. But a simple minded Intel dick sucking fanboy cannot understand this.

This is modus operandi for Intel though, so no surprise at all.

I'm glad I didn't say that. Though I can say that it is really low to try and sabotage the project when it's well known that Negroponte approached Intel about it and didn't get in the door

Now that all of these countries are thinking about it to put out press materials saying "Screw that thing, it's crap. Ours is what you want" is the bottom of the barrel.

But then like you said,

Par for the course for Intel.

 

[Synergy6]

I think it's all BS. As if these kids (in third-world countries) need a computer....they need food, shelter, and medications/vaccinations. $130 would probably feed a kid for 6months-a year. :x :x

+1.

Can I overclock the OLPC? Oh, no.... *stops giving a damn about the project*

Why is this even in CPUs? It isn't a CPU, it's hardly even a PC. Try running Alan Wake on it.

 

[T800-101]

I'm glad I didn't say that. Though I can say that it is really low to try and sabotage the project when it's well known that Negroponte approached Intel about it and didn't get in the door

Of course it's about sabotage. If Intel was actually interested in helping the project, why would they release their own unit? They could just supply processors, wireless parts etc. to use in the existing units. There is NO need to build a whole new unit.

Intel can't stand the prospect of millions of units out there without their name on it. They could give two shits about actually helping anyone. Their actions prove this. Not that AMD is totally innocent, but this is just another example of Intel saying, "oh shit AMD is trying to get a leg up in another segment, we better pull more dirty stab you in the back tactics to put on a halt on it"

 

[wsbsteven]

Will Intel invest in the countries infrastructure or install generators to power the laptops they sell? Will they construct schools and classrooms so the children can learn to use the laptops? Will they leave Intel employees on site to offer support and guidance? Or, will they pocket the cash from the sale and walk away?

Putting a laptop into a kids hands is one thing, leaving behind a legacy to support ongoing learning and education is another.

What is stopping Mr. Negroponte from continuing his project? As it was said, if he cares so much about the people then why isn't he happy someone came in and did part of the work (provide laptops)? He can still provide generators and classrooms for the children or he can move on to another country and help them.

Do firemen get angry when someone else comes and rescues victims in a burning building robbing them of the glory? If they do, why? If they don't, why?

 

[BaldEagle]

No offense . . . but this is the point.

The point is to drive the cost down to be affordable (<$100 in 2008) to third world countries.

Using open-source sustainable efficient technology to educate billions of children in the third world.

Linux is the answer and it runs on Intel or AMD so what's the point. Oh your point may be Intel uses a Windows system for the classmate like virtually all of the business world. Or maybe your point is that the AMD based processor will only run a modified kernel of Linux because of hardware limitations.

The more orders that are generated further drives down the cost allowing for the production and distribution of more technology.

That is Intel's purpose to introduce competition and drive prices down through economies of scale their's however, not AMD's.

The *idea* of a profit or promotional motive introduced into the mission of OLPC is so . . . Intel . . . .

Amd is not magnamously donating 5-15M chips per year for this program they make a profit on each chip sold so why not have Intel doing the same thing they have better fabrication technology and can produce at lower costs than AMD. Negroponte is pissed off that Intel is stealing away his business because that is what it is BUSINESS Non-profit or for-profit it's just business.

 

[T800-101]

What is stopping Mr. Negroponte from continuing his project?

You don't understand the process. To make the project viable, a certain economy of scale must be reached. Intel is trying to stop this from happening. They can do this by offering an even lower priced unit (sold at a huge loss no doubt) so the various governments purchase the Intel version instead (why wouldn't they, after all it is cheaper)

do firemen get angry when someone else comes and rescues victims in a burning building robbing them of the glory? If they do, why? If they don't, why?

Terrible example.

 

[Slobogob]

Intel can't stand the prospect of millions of units out there without their name on it. They could give two shits about actually helping anyone. Their actions prove this. Not that AMD is totally innocent, but this is just another example of Intel saying, "oh **** AMD is trying to get a leg up in another segment, we better pull more dirty stab you in the back tactics to put on a halt on it"

A possibility is, that someone at intel, after doing some math, just doesn´t believe that the project will succeed and that a free, competing market may be the better solution. And the marketing department at AMD might have come to the conclusion that doing a this "charity" project would be the cheapest and most effective marketing campaign they ever had.

I don´t know it, but it could be.

It´s not stabbing anyone in the back. It´s just a free market. If Intel would just let AMD make this deals, well, they just could gift all of their facilities and money to AMD, well, after being eaten alive by their shareholders - it would be faster that way.

Communism and central market planning doesn´t work. Wake up.