ConFigures

OLPC News DC Meetup A Success

… even if the XO mesh/wi-fi wasn’t.  At the peak of the get-together, there were 25-30 people talking with each other and looking at all the different laptops, tablets, e-book readers (and one step-powered portable emergency power generator).  OLPC News write-up, pictures, and links to many more pictures will give you the idea.  The XO was pretty and *I* could type on it with a bit of practice (big paws would have trouble).  I wasn’t crazy about the UI overall, but I did like elements of it, and might like it better once I re-read the Aquatic Sugar write-up, or once I try using one for collaboration in a group where we can actually get the mesh connected.  Not that I would have to stick with that OS/UI.  I didn’t get my hands on the ASUS Eee but it looked good from over the operator’s shoulder (wifi connection and browsing was painless).

It’s a bit frustrating that there seems to be more excitement and easier access to XO information at OLPC News (not affiliated with OLPC!) than at laptop.org (=OLPC).  There was talk last night of forming a user group via OLPC News to do our own self-support.  Someone else came up with a better Give One, Get One ad (clearer explanation of benefits to the giver).  Another non-affiliated site is xoforall.com, but I haven’t had a chance to look them over yet.