Windows XP and Linux bootable OLPC laptop a mockery of open source?
Microsoft has always chafed at OLPC’s decision to use Linux as its operating system and has recently programmed a version of Windows XP that installs on the XO laptop. But, to avoid competing product lines, OLPC has developed an XO laptop that dual boots Linux or Windows XP.
OLPC is already facing competition from Taiwan-based Asustek, who also offers an ultra-low priced laptop. By creating a dual bootable version of the XO, OLPC neatly consolidates its product line while still appealing to a wide audience.
Nicholas Negroponte, the head of OLPC told DG News Service “we are working with [Microsoft] very closely to make a dual-boot system so that, like on an Apple, you can boot either one up. The version that’s up and running of Windows on the XO is very fast, it’s very, very successful. We’re working very hard to do both.”
But Windows XP on the XO laptop is frustrating members of the open source community like Red Hat, who contributed significant resources to develop the XO’s operating system.
Red Hat’s Michael Tiemann said “this effort makes it clear that Microsoft still has the enormous cash required to demo yesterday’s software on tomorrow’s hardware. The XO laptop is revolutionary in a number of ways, and not least that it is based on software that children can read, modify, and share. Whether or not Microsoft’s porting effort is successful, it does not succeed in the XO’s mission, which is to educate, emancipate, and empower a new generation unless Microsoft also adopts a true open source approach. Personally I’m much more excited about the progress of the /next/ port of Fedora than the /last/ version of Windows, but that’s just because I’ve seen the past and I’m much more excited about the future” according to Linux.com.
Furthermore, the president of OLPC Walter Bender indicated “the foci of the discussions we have been having on the software front are in regard to how we can maintain some level of sharing and collaboration between XOs running Sugar/Linux and children using XP and ways in which to ensure that our different approaches to safety and security aren’t mutually exclusive.”
Could this hostile mix of open and closed software on one device a snapshot of what’s to come?
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January 9th, 2008
One of the major factors in deciding whether or not to participate in the G1G1 (other than the awesome fact that these laptops are going to kids that need them) was the fact that OLPC supported Linux and open source as a philosophy, and until recently has acted as though it will take a backseat to no one in making all software on the laptop (from the BIOS down to the software) free and open source.
I did participate. Philosophies aside, I’m glad I did – it’s an unquestionably great cause.
Bringing those philosophies back, I’m totally outraged. Yes, I see it as a mockery of open source. But, my device won’t be running the ported XP anytime soon, and since my gift to the third world has already been manufactured and will be shipping soon, it doesn’t look like it will be running the ported XP either.
Either way, it’s still very upsetting. It’s been a bad week or three for OLPC.