polyachka: So what do you think should have been done differently at OLPC or by OLPC?
curiouslee: They should have worked harder to build a stronger coalition of other partners.
polyachka : And that was not done because marketing strategy was different – go direct?
curiouslee: Yes. OLPC felt their way was best–go direct to governments and work top down.
curiouslee: Very few at OLPC had any idea of how to build a lasting non-profit.
curiouslee: Was crazy mix of educational idealists and tech dreamers.
polyachka: so how can you marry the two -techies and teachers?
curiouslee: I think the teachers, as you call them, lost. Techies now rule OLPC and Sugar.
polyachka: So how to build a long lasting non-profit?
curiouslee: Aside from Nicholas, OLPC needed a “servant leader” in their management.
polyachka: so what does it mean servant leader?
curiouslee: Definition from wikipedia: Servant-leaders achieve results for their organizations by giving priority attention to the needs of their colleagues and those they serve. Servant-leaders are often seen as humble stewards of their organization’s resources (human, financial and physical).
polyachka: what do you think about hardware part. Is it up-to-date?
curiouslee: Hardware is not up-to-date at moment. XO-1.75 should catch up.
curiouslee: OLPC doesn’t feel it needs to keep current because they are shifting to serving the most remote areas.
polyachka: Is it due to the lack of resources at OLPC or vision?
curiouslee: Move to remote areas? Lack of resources yes, I think. Best to go where there is little or no competition and greatest need.
polyachka: what about Intel computers? Are they more up-to date but serve to remote areas as well?
curiouslee: Intel computers like classmate are not power efficient at all and not daylight readable. Also, the educational software is often included as an afterthought.
curiouslee: I have two classmate laptops.
curiouslee: They are miniature office productivity machines.
curiouslee: OLPC wants to focus on original “no school” scenario.
polyachka: does it mean that no teachers are needed and no curriculum for Sugar?
polyachka: i thought it was proved that it doesn’t work
curiouslee: That varies very widely based on local culture. Adult and teacher presence is essential.
curiouslee: There are plenty of small school houses with no electricity or teachers teaching under a tree.
polyachka: but they all need curriculum
curiouslee: Sure.
polyachka: and who is working on it?
curiouslee: In the larger deployments, there have been contractors or Ministry of Education staffers working on curriculum.
