The One Laptop Per Child program’s Give One Get One promotion (which I blogged about back in November) has been extended through the end of December 31 (today!!).
If you’re in the U.S. or Canada, for $399 ($200 of which is tax deductible) you can donate a spiffy new and super-cool XO laptop to a child in a developing country and get one for yourself.
Santa (who apparently reads this blog) availed himself of the offer and brought an XO laptop to the sprogs. It’s set up with Linux (a plus for many people), although some bits are a little buggy (but free upgrades are expected to be available soon). The favorite feature right now is the video recording capability via the built in camera and microphone.
It’s a neat little feat of engineering, and the OLPC program has a vision of bringing education (not just technology) to families (not just kids) in the developing world. If you’re trying to do a last bit of philanthropy before the calendar turns over, this is an option worth considering.