Willie Shubert

For the past week, I have been taking the XO everywhere I go in order to explore and understand its revolutionary computing experience. My classmates stop to look at the XO and marvel at its dynamic features when I show them the consciously programed machine.

The principle of shared expression was clearly involved in the design of the user interface. I love the "my neighborhood" feature which allows you to share your computing experience with XOs within your wireless range. This fundamentally changes computing from a private to a social activity. The ability for sharing knowledge and artistic expression is one of the greatest possibilities for humanities' vast network of computers and the XO encourages and facilitates these capabilities.

I had some issues accessing encrypted wireless networks but I emailed the support team and they promptly pointed me in the right direction. I used the terminal to download update 653 and I feel a sense of accomplishment since it was the first time I had successfully used the Linux command line computer interface. I have learned something new already in just the one week I've had the computer.

The whole experience has filled me excitement and hope. The time in which we live is one of fabulous possibilities but also great responsibilities. I feel like OLPC has take one great big step forward for us all. Thank you!

Willie Shubert Humboldt State University (Written from an XO)