One Laptop Per Child

About five years ago I first heard of One Laptop Per Child while reading an article in Popular Science. I saw a product that was meeting third world students at an impressive place. OLPC was building cheap durable computers to be used by students in developing countries. They could be powered by a hand crank or a small solar panel. This is one step towards equipping students to learn material that can only be reached by a personal computer.

During my Highschool days OLPC was running a program called Give One Get One. A tax deductible contribution of $400 sponsored one computer to be sent to a school in a developing country and one computer would be sent to you. At the time I really wanted a personal computer so I did a lot of research to convince my parents with the fact that it would be contributing technology to a place of need and at the same time I could get my own computer.

In the end it made little to no sense for me to buy a computer created for elementary school children with many of the features focused for young children.

If you would like more information about this non-profit that is placing technology in the hands of school children all around the world. I can not wait to see how this influence of technology will change the communities that are impacted. If you would like to donate a machine simply go to http://one.laptop.org/.

OLPC in 2010 announced the development of the XO-3 concept for a durable tablet computer that could be produced for under $100. This advancement requires some serious reductions in the cost of screens, processors, and other basic computing components. Therefore after missed deadlines and failed product releases OLPC's director Nicholas Negroponte announced that a tablet was being developed for the developed world that would be used to refine the design before it was produced for developing countries. This is an exciting development because I would be interested in purchasing a durable, reasonably priced tablet for my mobile computing.

Below you can see some videos from the OLPC website.

All is Great in the Lord

Paul Shackelford

http://one.laptop.org/action/spread

Rise Again - Needtobreathe

I have been reading a book about the arts and Christians role in creating culture. Steve Turner, the author, asserts a major critique that modern Christian art does not speak about real life. The art created does not sound genuine or have any ties to real life that people outside the faith can connect with. While reading the book I listened through this album and I think that this song does a great job of breaking the mold. The members of Needtobreathe are all outspoken followers of Jesus but very little of the art that they produce mentions Jesus or Christianity at all. Instead they craft creative music, written from places of pain and joy. "Rise Again" steps through pain that occurs in life as we see relationships stretched and torn. The bitterness of broken hearts and friendships is then contrasted with the truth that we will get up from this pain and rise again. "I can see us moving on, I can feel that coming on strong", the joy that comes after the

Twenty-Four - Jess Ray

Lately I have been listening to lots of music and podcasts while working and biking to work. I was feeling a need for some new music so I turned to NoiseTrade to check out some new artists. My favorite thus far is Jess Ray because of the honest lyrics, tastefully simple musicality and overall enjoyable listening environment. While on my flight back to Atlanta I was struck by this song at first because of the drums that propel this song behind the walking guitar. If I were to add drums to a track like this it would have been done in a very similar manner. Once I got past the drums I was awe struck by the simple power of these lyrics, take a read below and follow the link to her blog to listen. To me it was not written for an outward expression of hope or encouragement but rather as a inward proclamation to the soul. As the psalmist often choose to sing, this song speaks inward in a call to stand up and be reminded of truth all to often forgotten. As I gear up for the star

You Will Be My Ain True Love - Alison Kraus

This song has so much power, even if you remove the lyrics. I just decided to take in the full potential of the song by turning the stereo all the way up and playing the song a few times. Before even looking for a video of this song I knew it was related to the Civil War and the separation that occurred between loved ones. This song starts out explaining the battle field and how the soldier has survived the terrors of war. As the song continues to build you can tell that the soldier wants to be with his love. They have been separated by this war and now he wants to be back with her. The last few lines portray his death and how he has been reunited with his "True Love". I believe that this song describes his "True Love" as God, our eternal True Love. He has returned to his maker after being killed in Battle and this song paints that picture so well. This song has tons of power in the music behind the lyrics, it adds so much to the meaning of this song!

Letters from Lilongwe

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