the only bad thing i can think of with this sponsoring idea is that the buyer will have some sort of indirect connection with a child – can you spell pedophiles?
it is worse enough they already using this children when they visit some of this countries, and now they can actually have access to them.

You’re definitely right, and for that reason I would think that an individual buying the laptop will just pay $300 and then OLPC will take care of the donation part, so the “donator” never even knows who receives the laptop. Otherwise there could be a lot of things that go on which shouldn’t be, as you mentioned.

the idea behind it is that a wireless connection, especially in developing countries is a much cheaper and robust solution then wired connections. for example [green-wifi.org] that builds this networks in places like India, using routers which are solar powered.

the only bad thing i can think of with this sponsoring idea is that the buyer will have some sort of indirect connection with a child – can you spell pedophiles?
it is worse enough they already using this children when they visit some of this countries, and now they can actually have access to them.

but the current cost is around $150

I’m guessing this is the price per unit and that you are required to purchase two at a time?

While $300 is still a reasonable price for a laptop I can see many people not understanding the reason for the low price point.

I believe it’s all talk at this point, but if they do go retail, you would be required to purchase two at a time. It’s kinda like a semi-involuntary donation which then would make your cost for one of them $300.($150 for the donated, $150 for yours). It’s definitely a “trimmed-down” laptop that would be suitable for any child.

As for the internet connection, I’m not quite sure how that would work… good point.

but the current cost is around $150

I’m guessing this is the price per unit and that you are required to purchase two at a time?

While $300 is still a reasonable price for a laptop I can see many people not understanding the reason for the low price point.

Built with education in mind, they include built-in wireless networking and video conferencing so that groups of children would be able to work together.

So these third world kids can’t afford a computer but they can afford broadband internet access and a wireless network? That doesn’t add up.

I wonder why there aren’t similar programs for developed countries.

Good question. American are some of the most generous people in the world but we often forget that there is a need for these types of programs here. And no, this not a place for another government program.