The costs of personal computers will continue to go down, as the
manufacture of them and their components moves to ever cheaper labor
markets. IBM recently announced it is divesting itself of its PC
business because, in the words of one exec, it now requires less skill
to make a PC than it does to sew together a shirt. Over time, though
probably not my lifetime, labor in these markets will earn higher wages
and benefits, either through unionization type activities or other
movements, until some kind of near equilibrium occurs. This is usually
understood to be when they themselves can afford to buy the goods they
make.
Larry Elin
Associate professor
S.I. Newhouse School
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315)443-3415
On Dec 15, 2004, at 12:01 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Thanks for the post Carolyn.
The point which I was trying to make is that the cost for computers is
quickly becoming almost a "non-issue". That, of course, is not to say
that
the poorest of the poor can't feed themselves- that is another issue.
The concern regarding Wal-Mart needs a more substantive addressment
than a
post which differentiates corporate giving in the United States.
Wal-Mart,
in spite of all the concerns about its corporate practices continues to
enjoy increasing sales, globally, particularly from persons of lower
income
who find the prices for food and other goods within their budget at
Wal-Mart. And whether or not they share the sentiments of a faction
within
the US, continue to patronize Wal-Mart and bolstering its position as
the
world's largest retailer.
If, indeed, the public at large were concerned, then there would be a
response which Wal-Mart would feel financially and would have to
address.
That they continue to enjoy public confidence as evidenced by their
financial success should give everyone on this list pause to ask WHY.
And
it should aks whether all the current efforts regarding the digital
divide
may need serious reassessment.
Your raising this question should generate a serious exchange not only
on
DDN but GKD and the many other digital divide discussions on the Web.
thoughts?
tom abeles
Original Message:
-----------------
From: Carolyn Birden [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 19:33:14 -0500
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [DDN] the cheap computer
WalMart's prices may look tempting, but you might want to consider
the following before you buy:
http://www.buyblue.org/bluexmas.html
Carolyn Birden
At 8:19 AM -0600 12/14/04, Tom Abeles wrote:
Wal Mart is everywhere, even in the PRC. And now they have a
commercial version of what was to have been the volkscomputer
thought this would be of interest:
Xandros & Microtel Deliver $199.98 Linux Desktop to the Masses
http://www.linuxelectrons.com/article.php/20041209213249573 Friday,
December 10 2004 @ 07:30 AM
Xandros, the leading developer of easy-to-use Linux solutions, today
announced
that Wal-Mart.com is carrying a fully loaded Linux desktop computer
with
the
pre-installed Xandros Desktop Operating System (OS) for only $199.98.
Built by Microtel and available at Wal-Mart's online store,* the new
desktop PC
offers a complete suite of pre-installed software for home, school,
and
small
office desktop use. The PC provides an affordable alternative to all
other
PCs
on the market today. The $199.98 price tag includes a free
subscription to
the
Xandros Networks news and update facility which features a huge
inventory
of
open source and commercial software that can be downloaded and
installed with a
single click.
"Xandros is known for its friendly graphical environment in which
even computer
newbies feel right at home, and you can work without the constant
dread of
viruses, spyware, and system crashes. We are delighted to offer
Wal-Mart
customers this value-packed PC with the secure Xandros operating
system for the
'Everyday Low Price' of $199.98," said Rich Hindman, Vice President
of Microtel
Computer Systems. "With Xandros you can browse the web, send your
e-mail, create
papers and presentations, and burn CDs with a couple of mouse clicks.
The
Xandros PC also works beautifully on your home computer network."
"Wal-Mart shoppers expect to get a bang for their buck," said
Andreas Typaldos,
Xandros CEO. "This $199.98 PC is the best deal around -- it even
provides a free
subscription to Xandros Networks with its single-click updates, plus
free access
to the Xandros Support Forum. This value-packed Microtel PC running
Xandros is
perfectly compatible with your Windows network and files, but
remains immune to
Windows viruses and carries a much smaller price tag."
All Xandros offerings at Walmart.com provide well-structured menus
and a careful
selection of user-friendly programs for browsing the web, sending
e-mail,
downloading photos, and many other computing tasks. The bundled
office suite is
compatible with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. The exclusive
Xandros
File Manager provides seamless access to Windows network resources
and the
ultimate in drag-and-drop burning of music and data CDs.
Other outstanding features of the $199.98 Xandros Desktop PC include
multiple
virtual desktops so users can separate their Internet, office,
graphics,
and
other tasks, simultaneous tabbed browsing of multiple webs sites,
pop-up ad
blocking, automatic spam filtering, and a built-in Ethernet
connection. All
hardware and software is fully tested and certified by Xandros Labs.
For details on the complete line of Xandros Wal-Mart offerings, please
visit
www.xandros.com/walmart/
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