Contest Directions: Let's help the MIT and Google design a cheap $100 laptop, and see if it'll meet Gates' expectations. [ browse best gallery pictures ] [ browse this contest gallery in high resolution ] Tag funny pix cheaplaptops Jackpot: 1st place: $50, 2nd place: $30 , 3rd place: $20 Started: 3/17/2006 6:00:00 AM, Ended: 3/19/2006 6:00:00 AM
This contest is fueled by the following news:
Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft ended up mocking a $100 laptop computer that apparently is being developed for poor countries with the support of Google. The unit is being developed at MIT. The $100 laptop computer projects seeks to provide inexpensive computers to underdeveloped nations. The computers are powered with a hand crank. The computers actually are lacking in many otherwise standard features, including a hard disk and software. The last thing you want in such a unit, Gates said, is something without a disk and with a tiny, little screen. If you are going to have people share a computer unit, Gates remarked, you want a decent computer on which you can read the text. You can't be sitting there trying to crank the thing to get it going while you are trying to type, he noted.
The all new EAS laptop comes with built-in phone jack and keyboard keys for downloading everything that other laptops download, that is, spyware, viruses, and updates. Call the 1-800 number for tech support.
Actual tech support converation* -"Ok, I think the problem is that you pushed the download "virus" button. You are going to have to restart your laptop. First, press ctrl-alt-del, then hold the laptop over your head, screen facing down, and shake it vigorously, this will clear the memory. Are you familiar with the turn-and-sketch interface?" -"Yes" -"Ok, so go ahead and draw the start-up screen. This could take a while, depending on what kind of upgrades you may have purchased..."
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Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft ended up mocking a $100 laptop computer that apparently is being developed for poor countries with the support of Google. The unit is being developed at MIT. The $100 laptop computer projects seeks to provide inexpensive computers to underdeveloped nations. The computers are powered with a hand crank. The computers actually are lacking in many otherwise standard features, including a hard disk and software. The last thing you want in such a unit, Gates said, is something without a disk and with a tiny, little screen. If you are going to have people share a computer unit, Gates remarked, you want a decent computer on which you can read the text. You can't be sitting there trying to crank the thing to get it going while you are trying to type, he noted.
