Gates mocks cheap laptops for the children

Alot of poeple who agrees with Gates seem to think that all of these so call developing countries have more dire needs like food, medicine, electricity, fighting aids, etc. Well some countries are indeed having all those problems but not all. People in some of the countries have already conquered thier basic needs but have yet to conquer their information needs or that of thier children. And the $100 laptop project is intended for people in this category, so stop saying that the $100 laptop idea is a joke because all these people(as in all the people in the developing world) have more basic needs. And for Gates or anyone that mock such a noble course is just pathetic.

by jasperchc (See profile) - March 23, 2006 12:41 PM PST

I'm sure Bill doesn't mean to offend children OR their families.
The richest men in the world can't imagine the level of poverty where $100 is STILL too much and areas if the world cannot even USE the internet...some parts of the south even, where hurricane Katrina devestated.

When just Windows XP upgrade costs the same $100 that he probably tips for meals, it's hard for some people to put it in prospective....

by jluchford (See profile) - March 21, 2006 3:44 PM PST

geez... not everyone can afford an expensive computer. why not he (gates) sponsors something into the project and stop talking crap just beacause its something from his rival.

by jasperchc (See profile) - March 20, 2006 2:00 PM PST

he is right-what a joke...how can you-use a computor-without-software/programs..

by lenins (See profile) - March 19, 2006 5:40 PM PST

From the article...

"The $100 laptop project seeks to provide inexpensive computers to people in developing countries. The computers lack many features found on a typical personal computer, such as a hard disk and software."

OH LOVELY!

by BTJustice (See profile) - March 19, 2006 4:14 AM PST

How can we expect someone at the top of the forbes list to empathize with the common man

by adakadavule (See profile) - March 18, 2006 2:31 AM PST

I believe I read that China get's the first bus load of these little 'puters. Imagine that - they get a huge chunk of our money selling us almost everything and then they get a bunch of cheap computers to help them become even more effective in the market place all the while building, quite rapidly, the largest millitary in the world and they have no qualms with the whole denial of human rights issue. Who's the idiot? We are, obviously.

by icekyoob (See profile) - March 17, 2006 9:09 PM PST

A computer powered by a handcrank?!!

If these 3rd world areas don't have an electric grid, fostering infrastructure should be a higher priority than a diskless, hand-cranked "laptop" for "every child."

Why does "every child" in the world need a computer? That is an esoteric and silly goal lacking common sense priorities.

Bill Gates, by his own choice, gives more funding and assistance to 3rd world nations to fight AIDS. Now, that's a proper priority: keep the people alive.

by AdamSB (See profile) - March 17, 2006 7:32 PM PST

I think bil gates ned to get a reality check.

apparently, he is so comfortable with his cushy profit margins, that he is totally insensitive to the plight of the poorer classes in other underdevelped countries, especialy as it relates to access to technology such as a basic telecommunications infrastructure, water and electricity.

In thse countries, a computer is merely a rich persons plaything...a toy.....a trinket that is a sign of financial opulence.

perhaps gates wouldn't feel so bad if the majority of the profit from the sale of these computers was going in his pocket, and he was able to make computers that had to crash because of his software that is poorly beta tested and is in constant need of live update.

so it seems that bill has open his mouth and has put his foot in it.
I hope when these countries become more developed, he does not go apeddleing to them to sell them his overprices software as opposed to OpenSource alternatives such as OpenOffice and Lindows and linux, cheaper than windows software by miles.

by Area_52 (See profile) - March 17, 2006 4:33 PM PST

I can't stand reading these comments repeating that Gates dosen't do enough for the needy. Gates is in the software business not the salvation army. He gives more than his fair share back. I'm sorry for all you liberals out there that can't handle the class system in this world. Everybody can't be equal. Lets face it, the world needs its ditch diggers

by ryanwycich (See profile) - March 17, 2006 4:26 PM PST