G1G1 2007/FAQ

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This page is about the 2007 Give One, Get One program, which ended on Dec 31. Thank you to everyone who participated! See also G1G1 2008.

What is the Give One, Get One Program?

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Starting November 12 2007, One Laptop Per Child offered a Give 1 Get 1 Program for a brief window of time in North America. For $399, you will be purchasing two XO laptops—one that will be sent to empower a child to learn in a developing nation, and one that will be sent to your child at home.

How will my donation be used?

Your donation will be used to expand the programs, reach, and overall mission of One Laptop Per Child. Currently, One Laptop Per Child is able to allocate 95 cents of each dollar raised to acquire and distribute laptop computers for children in need.

Why did I see a different price somewhere for the XO laptop?

Currently, $200 is the bundled price for a donated XO laptop computer. This price includes the shipping cost to the recipient country.

How much do you recommend I donate?

Any amount that you donate will help us provide laptop computers to children in need in the developing world. Every $200 dollars donated will provide a deserving child with a laptop computer of their own.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes. The OLPC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (EIN# 20-5471780). As such, financial contributions may be deductible for federal income tax purposes. Please consult with your financial advisor to determine the extent of tax deductibility.

Do I get a laptop computer with my donation?

No. The Give one Get one program ended in December.

When do you anticipate these laptop computers reaching the market?

Our schedule is to have units ready for shipment by late 2007. A limited number of laptop computers will be available for purchase in North America for a limited time from November 12th. They will initially only be available as part of a Give 1 Get 1 initiative. Participants in Give One, Get One will be able to buy two laptop computers for $399 (plus $24.95 for domestic shipping); one XO will be distributed to a child in one of the Least Developed Countries, and one will be sent to the participant. The program has been extended so that orders can be placed through December 31, 2007. See: [1] Gregorio 10:58, 11 December 2007 (EST)

How can I buy a laptop computer?

Laptop computers are not for sale at this time. The Give One, Get One program ended in December.

Will these laptop computers be available for purchase in retail stores?

Not at this time.

Will the Give 1 Get 1 initiative be available in other countries also?

We are starting in the US and Canada. We will try to expand the program globally over time.

Will these Laptop feature local keyboard setup, if interest from one particular country is sufficient?

We work with people in country on all aspects of localization, including the keyboard.

Do you accept corporate or in-kind donations of goods and services?

Yes. Please email "help AT laptop.org"

If I Give a laptop, can I be connected with an individual laptop recipient in some way?

It seems that you can't, but I am not sure

How does it work?

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Where or how can I get one?

Short answer: through the Give 1, Get 1 program.

Qualified developers can apply for an XO through the developer's program.

Medium answer:Given the characteristics of the project, the OLPC is initially available only to national government agencies—ie. Ministry of Education—allowing us to achieve the initial economy of scale and a sufficiently large impact to make it sustainable. There are plans and ideas on how to expand our market to include other smaller and/or distributed organizations that will cater to people, places and situations where government agencies are unavailable - in the future and most likely collaborating through and with other parties (Please see [2]).

The G1G1 program is intended in part to enable individuals to participate in our global education mission.

Our focus on large programs does thi preclude or try to impede that private, NGO and other grass-root organizations or people lobby in their target countries to be included as recipients or to get involved—it just means that they'll have to be a little patient and not lose sight of their dreams and try to match it with our timings.

Keep alert, maybe in the near future there'll be news that will allow us to cater your special demand.

What is the minimum order?

The minimum order for the G1G1 program is 1. There are other programs for donating larger quantities of laptops (Please see [3]).

In theory, an NGO or retailer could order many millions of laptops.

In practice, NGOs and socially conscious companies are helping with laptop distributions in countries such as India already. Sj talk

The fact is that the OLPC does not want to sell large numbers of laptops. Rather, they want to get large numbers of laptops in the hands of children along with educational support for those children to ensure that they actually receive educational value from the laptops. In addition, the OLPC is at a very early stage in its project, so they need to focus their relationships on a small number of countries which are willing to put a lot of energy into pilot projects.

Please consider non-US buyers with some US citizen forwarding stuff

Please make it possible to have the BILLING-address (and credit card data) different from the SHIPPING-address, so that non-US residents can charge the purchase to their own credit cards, having a friend receive (and forward) the computer.

NOTE: As of 30 Dec 2007, it is still not possible to enter separate billing/shipping addresses when ordering via PayPal. PLEASE have PayPal fix this! Thanks.

Who will "get one"?

The person making the donation will get a laptop as a gift. In addition, a laptop will be given to a child in the developing world, in a country designated by OLPC.

As much as we would like to see an OLPC in the hands of every child on the planet, practical issues and humanitarian criteria help decide the first people to get G1G1 laptops:

• Children and teachers in developing countries that have partnered with OLPC
• Especially children and teachers in LDCs

Update: Jan'13'2008: 80,000+ G1G1 'give' laptops shipping to the following areas:

Mongolia (10,000+), Haiti (1,000+), Rwanda (1,000+), Ethiopia (1,000+), Cambodia (1000+), and Afghanistan (1000+).

Can NGOs and charities get them?

The short answer: yes, they can send quantities of 100 or more to schools of their choice. See the XO Giving page; groups should refer to the Give Many page. See also this question about the target market.

Payment plans? for low income

Will you take $40.00 a month for ten or even twelve months? To get the buy 1 give 1 program? My daughter and I live in poverty,but can pay $40 a month for this most wonderful program. I want to help with the success of 'One laptop per child' program. What can I do? Please reply.

OLPC does not yet have this functionality on its website. We are working with our credit card vendors and hope to introduce it in the next couple of months.

How many XO laptops per person?

May a person make multiple $400 donations and get an XO laptop for each one under the buy one get one program?

Yes. See See xogiving.org or XO Giving for further information on the "Give 1 Get 1" program.. Note that a very limited number of computers will be made available through this program in November. Contact webmaster@xogiving.org to ask a question or be added to the mailing list for notifications.

The One Laptop Per Child Foundation has a page where you can make larger donations if that is your goal.

Is there a warranty?

There will be a 30-day limited warranty.

Technical Help

In the Give 1 Get 1 Program, how do private users, receive technical help if needed?

Through Internet resources such as this Wiki, the bug tracking system, IRC, and mailing lists. So far the technical help has been outstanding. --gnu

Is purchase of an XO by the relatively wealthy unethical?

I am very attracted by the simplicity and rugged design of the XO but as a citizen of arguably the wealthiest nation in the world is it an ethical choice for me to own one? I travel and commute by motorcycle so the ruggedness and simplicity of the XO is perfect for my uses as my only computer.

My misgivings about owning an XO come from the following thoughts. The production numbers of the XO are limited therefore would it be more ethical for me to spend $200.00 (US) for a used laptop and give another $200.00 to provide an XO for a child? By doing this I am keeping a used machine out of the bin longer and providing a purpose built machine for it's intended user.

I am not passing or implying judgment on those in wealthy nations that purchase one but asking an open question. Because the XO is available and the wealthy can afford them should they when the available numbers are relatively low and therefore the supply to the intended users is reduced by their purchase?

The more production, the lower the per-unit cost. Ignoring environmental effects and short-term supply issues, purchasing a few million for your local landfill might ultimately help kids by getting the per-unit cost down closer to $100. :-)

Of course the better solution for wealthy people is to Give 1, Get 1 and then donate money for additional laptops to go to kids. If you have PayPal, you can donate money now on the Give 1, Get 1 site. Or, if you want to write a cheque, then send it to the address on the One Laptop Per Child Foundation page.

Financial support for OLPC?

How is OLPC supported? How does one make a financial contribution?

You can make a financial contribution to the OLPC foundation, which is not the same as the OLPC association. Contributions will be used for "grants and loans for the development and use of open educational resources and grassroots learning innovations that enhance the effectiveness of the XO" and for the Special Laptop Program. --Fasten 17:30, 27 February 2007 (EST)

OLPC package dimensions and weight?

Could you publish the package dimensions and the weight of the complete box (if you could use metric units, it would be great)?

We need it to estimate cost for shipping when we forward the package from the US to the final destination.

Papers?

Does the recipient of the "get1" machine get papers that clearly indicate that:

• he purchased a laptop / notebook computer (NOT: a toy)
• the price of the "get1" laptop is 180 USD
• price of intra-US shipping is 20 USD
• a separate piece of paper acknowledging the giving of 200 USD for tax-deduction

Having that stuff clearly declared and separated is important for insurance and tax purposes, esp. when forwarding this stuff to final destination (e.g. in Europe).

Will the laptop work on a open wifi network (such as is found in a bookstore or internet cafe)?

I realize that OLPC uses 802.11s and that is based on 802.11b/g.

Will it be able to communicate on an open wifi network that is common in the better bookstores and coffee shop, colleges etc.

Yes. The laptop can communicate with most 802.11b/g access points. Some older access points are problematic (See Mesh and WDS) and some levels of access point encryption are currently unsupported (e.g., WPA). You should generally have no problems with open networks utilizing reasonably recent hardware.

What power source will come with the November Give one get one XO for the purchaser?

What Power source will come with the xo laptop for the purchaser during this November's give one get one? WIll it be an AC adaptor and/or a pull cord? Thanks, Greg

AC adaptor.

What voltage and frequency range? Could I exchange the (US?) power cord with a European (German) one? We have 230V AC.

The power adapter will accept EU voltages.

Will we be able to purchase a pull-cord generator and/or solar cell for the Give 1 Get 1 laptop?

You have answered that the G1G1 laptop will come with an AC adapter. The unique (and amazing) capabilities for manual and solar power are something I would like for my "keep 1" laptop. Will there be a way for us to obtain these OLPC laptop accessories? Additional cost would be acceptable.

We are working a parallel mechanism for making solar- and human-power options available.

G1G1 for school servers too?

These are not currently part of G1G1. Sj talk

Is there a way to find local developers/testers with the physical units?

I hope to participate in the Give 1 Get 1 program. I would like to find someone in my local area to test (read as 'play with') the mesh concept in real equipment. Emulation is neat, but not real. Is there any plans to provide a place on the Wiki for finding fellow OLPC'ers for testing, development, etc? Or have a I completely overlooked an existing feature of the Wiki?

See Presentations

Unlimited Give 1 Get 1 program?

I think that OLPC has underestimated the general interest and strong demand for their laptops. I think that the Give 1 Get 1 program should run for now and forever, and not be just a limited 2 week engagement - there are far too many people in the US that want to provide a laptop for their children, like the laptop designed, and think that the Give 1 Get 1 program is perfect - they can get 1 for their children or relatives, and at the same time they can give 1 to another country that needs it. As many other people have requested in previous questions and comments, they wanted the ability to directly purchase the laptop or somehow provide it to their communities in the US. The Give 1 Get 1 program helps to fill BOTH needs simultaneously. Do not just run this program for the limited time. You accidently hit upon what can push this program into overdrive. As you have found, Governments will never shovel out cash for anything. BUT private individuals will - if they can get something for their efforts as well.

I don't speak for OLPC, but my guess is that they're going to gather up all the orders over that two-week period and then order and ship that number of laptops, so that they're ordering thousands at once for efficiency, rather than one or two at a time. I presume that if the first burst of orders doesn't satisfy the demand, they will be amenable to doing something similar every few months. (Of course, anyone who wants to invest in buying a bunch of XO's during that two weeks is free to sell them to others -- for whatever price they can get -- after the order period closes. So an enterprising person could make some money selling them for e.g. $500 during times OLPC is unwilling to do so. And people could then get them in small quantities at any time.) --gnu

That's spot on. Sj talk

How can I get an XO outside USA and Canada?

Why is the Give One, Get One program being restricted to the USA and Canada only? Lots of application/content developers in other countries will also be interested in buying an XO to work with. If you use the services of an international shipping company like DHL and accept credit card payment only, then it is really no more difficult to ship to other countries than to North America.

I don't know the details of any country restrictions for the Give One Get One program, but please note that developers in other countries can also apply for a machine through the developer's program. —Joe 12:31, 24 September 2007 (EDT)

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You've obviously never tried shipping outside the USA... shipping the XO prototypes had its saga of glitches caused by local bureaucracies and some 'issues' (to put it mildly) from the shipping company. So I would disagree that it would be no more difficult to ship to other countries... Xavi 14:05, 24 September 2007 (EDT)

I realize that there are some countries in the world where it can be difficult to ship things. I myself have experienced difficulties with Russia and Ukraine. But surely Western Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand are pretty straightforward. In any case, this is not a prototype circuit board that someone thinks might be a bomb controller. It is a finished and packaged laptop. Every single box going out should be identical. This is the type of situation that a shipping company like DHL can easily deal with. --Memracom 16:16, 24 September 2007 (EDT)

My story, heard similar ones for Peru, Brazil, but also in Switzerland & France (iirc). Each country has their own rules governing imports & customs, and unfortunately DHL (and others) together with the recipient have to abide by them. So I wouldn't assume that shipping is some kind of fire-and-forget deal... Xavi 16:44, 24 September 2007 (EDT)

Distribution over missionaries?

The project wants the country governments for the buying and distribution of the XO to their students. But is there a possibility for missions (Christian) to buy laptops for their development projects? In many countries missions found schools and start educational programs. Are there possibilities for missions to get involved into the distribution of the XOs? The "give 1 get 1"-program is not an opportunity for the missions, because they can't afford the doubled price. I think missions could be a great distributor, because they go with schools where governments aren't.

We are open to discussions with NGOs.

Is there a Parallel Purchasing Program?

Have you investigated the idea of having Dell or other major manufacturers give people the option of adding an OLPC Laptop to their orders? I think this is something my company and others could easily support; throwing in one of these laptops every time we buy a new computer. It would be nice, simple method of supporting your efforts. Just a thought.

That's an interesting thought.

School to school

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Link between the two give 1 get 1 laptops ?

Wouldn't it be great to have some kind of link between the laptop I get and the laptop I give?

The kid getting the laptop I give could write me an email, maybe send a picture. This way there could be great contacts with people who otherwise would or could never communicate with each other. That would really broaden the mind of me and of the kid, too.

I know this should be difficult to accomplish, but think about the possibilities. Think about how happy both the donor and the donee would feel to have such a bond. Think about how many many people in the richer countries would gladly give money, because they can really really see where their money is going.

Since all laptops surely have some unique number or sth. like that, it should be doable.

Ok, so my question is, could there be such a link between two OLPC?

We are planning to connect schools, but not individuals.

School Sponsors?

After I saw the 60 Minutes piece I thought this would be a great school fundraiser. It would be cool to have US children e-mail children in third world countries. Much of today's issues, I think, could be improved with an understanding of each other. Do you have plans for schools to invest in a laptop and then have the US children e-mail the laptop's recipient? I know there are such opportunities in developed countries, but I know of none for third world countries. cmshaughnessy@msn.com

There has been some interest shown by the US and other First World nations. As the program grows this could be a very good idea for children to have email pals across the globe.

That would be great, but the OLPC software doesn't handle email. --gnu

Say what? The XO has a full-featured web browser, which is more than adequate for using gmail, among other email systems. We haven't ported a native email client to the laptop yet, as it is not as high a priority as other activity development. --Walter 21:35, 7 July 2007 (EDT)

Partnering Schools?

My children visit a small primary school in Scotland, which is actively looking to find a partner school in the developing world. From talking to other parents, I believe I would be able find enough interest to purchase 30-40 OLPC laptops on your 'buy two - get one' scheme. Would it be possible to distribute the 'donated' laptops in one particular school and such create a community between the two schools?

I don't know if it's possible to designate which country or school your "donated" laptops go to -- I doubt it, since that would increase the overhead of selling them to the public (and they're trying to keep the overhead very low). But what I suggest is that your Scottish school children find another school (anywhere in the world) which is also using the XO, and partner with that school. Nigeria might be a good candidate, since there would be less of a language barrier. -gnu

Also, you can probably run your own "School Server" by getting an ordinary PC and downloading the appropriate server software that's published on this site. You'll need either a Marvell USB-based Mesh WiFi dongle (not yet available, but maybe soon), or you'll need to use one of the OLPC laptops as your mesh portal (gatewaying the school server onto the mesh, so the kids can access it). -gnu

Is it possible to get an "official" answer on this question? I would like to purchase some laptops in the "Give Many" plan for a school in Kenya. During the November 12th - 26th time frame, when I intend to make my donation, may I designate at that time where the laptops go? Thanks,

In this program, the "give" laptops are directed to schools designated by OLPC. You may be interested in the "Give Many" program (See http://www.laptopfoundation.org/participate/givemany.shtml), which has provisions for directing donated laptops.

Can I raise funds to purchase OLPC computers for a third world school and my own?

I am a principal of an elementary school in the United States with a significant number of students who are impacted by poverty. If I were able to mobilize my community to raise enough money to purchase these computers for a school in a third world country, would it be possible for us to purchase these computers for ourselves? I believe our community could raise $30,000 to fund the purchase of these laptops for a school of 300 students. I actually have a school in mind?

You might want to read the Ask OLPC a Question about Distribution page. —Joe 13:30, 1 September 2007 (EDT)

For the two week period between November 12-26, 2007, if you donate $30,000, you will be able to send 100 laptops to a school of your choice (and 50 will be send to a lesser developed country on your behalf). Sj talk

What about needy children in the United States?

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How come these laptops are going to kids in developing nations when we have needy children in the U.S.?

In the U.S., the average expenditure for education is $10,000 dollars per child. In developing countries, the average expenditure is typically less than $300 dollars per child. One Laptop Per Child is initially focused on where the need is most urgent. A number of U.S. states have approached One Laptop Per Child and expressed interest in the program, and in the long run, One Laptop Per Child hopes to work with those states and help children everywhere.

I think the idea of distributing these laptops to the countries you have listed is a great idea! However, what about the parents here that can not afford to buy laptops for their children. I am a single parent and work two jobs and then after working 10 hrs and cooking/cleaning we then have to go to the library so my son can finish doing his homework on their computers at 10:00 at NIGHT!. Why isn't our goverment involved in this project? Why isn't our government taking care of it's own? people!

Why not the USA?

See above. For further discussions on the subject see OLPC4USA and retail.

Individual use in USA?

If I "buy one - get one," I would give mine to my 6 year old grandson. Will he be able to network with kids around the world? Can the camera-mic be used to communicate with kids in Nigeria, Peru, etc?

Yes. Don't forget that Peruvian kids probably don't speak the same language as your grandson. But they may be able to play together and show each other things. -gnu

Along the same lines, how will networking work outside the expected Mesh Network environment. For instance, can my 6 year old nephew use the WiFi hub in his home?

Yes. -gnu

Give 1 Get 1 for a U.S. school?

If I were able to convince enough local parents and other donors to raise $400 times the number of students in our kindergarten, could we participate as a group in the Give 1 Get 1 program, thereby equipping all our local students entering elementary school and an equal number of children in some other part of the world? If we were to do so, could the OLPC provide us with contact information for a corresponding class in some other part of the world, so the school children here and there could engage in cross-cultural dialog as a mutual learning experience?

Misc

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How can a country get involved?

By starting talks with the OLPC at national or ministerial level—minister or similar high-ranking government officials—not at individual level. Individuals should lobby their government to participate. More info.

Where can I see an OLPC in the UK?

Hi,

I'm really interested in the OLPC project, and often add things to the wiki... But I've never actually seen one in real life... How many are there in the UK, and what are the chances of actually viewing one? Maybe you should do a grand tour?!

Well, you can try the alpha software in emulation: Using QEMU on Windows XP. If you run into problems, you'll have to research and learn. --Jeff 27 Feb 2007

Are home schoolers going to be able to get a laptop like this?

Home schoolers are welcome to participate in the G1G1 program.

Will OLPC get in trouble if I aid Intl friends to Give 1 Get 1?

Quick answer: No. Sj talk 21:29, 8 November 2007 (EST)

Update: Ideally I would like to receive a usable answer to this question in time for my international friends to know if I can aid them, get me money and addresses and/or a way for XOgiving to accept their money...... in time for them to successfully offer/receive a "give1get1" donation on this cycle.

I have people asking me if I, who am well connected and very techical, will aid them to get one in (England, Germany) by being the point of recieve, and then transporting it onward to them. They want both the warm-fuzzies of supporting the One Laptop Per Child plus the geek factor of getting a physically small laptop for various geeky purposes (including but not limited to having one for the geek-child of their family. One is high-functioning autistic and would surely improve vastly by having such a focus for their intelligence).

Is there a limitation on which countries the device can be sent to?

Is it against any given countries' technical specifications or permissions?

I am assuming that it's tried to hold to a high standard since poisoning the techie youth of poor countries wouldn't exactly win a high score in later life.

This is one of the limiting factors in which countries we can ship to. It is a matter of paperwork and passing the official gauntlet, not of our not meeting actual standards. OLPC would not get in trouble, but you might end up with laptops stuck in customs. Stay tuned. Sj talk

Will I, or OLPC, get in trouble for aiding them to make such purchases?

I'm not expecting to avoid any of the fees that go with such transport. I just want to know if there's any reason you guys would be shot at just because more of the First World wants in on the fun.

This is unlikely. Sj talk

Is there a limitation on how many give1get1 I can purchase?

Other than the obvious one of general availability, which hasn't been addressed even in ballpark amounts. I know geeky people with kids in the US too.

There is no limit. See also Give Many. Sj talk 21:29, 8 November 2007 (EST)

We are not an organization - we are a bunch of friends hoping to pool a sense of sanity in shipping plans. If, however, gathering a "interested individuals list" on this wiki will result in the ability for it to be done at a scale of less than 100, then maybe I can help. I don't have room for 100 XO laptops in my living room. What we are looking at is the philanthropist equivalent of carpooling to work; order-pooling, to make it work. -- Heather

Are Pre-Orders available for the next batch once you run out?

In the music world people who want albums from aspiring artists pre-purchase the albums and this aids their production costs, plus gives their managers a more solid number for how much support there is in which regions of the country. I know many people who would gladly have provided money already if they knew it was putting them on a waiting list.

We plan to accept orders for two weeks. Later orders may be shipped later, but they will not be cut off. Sj talk

What if a child is the intended 'get1' recipient?

Some of these people have kids, some are simply very tall kids with paychecks. It's one heck of a gift from Santa though... Would a child involved have any affect on availability? Wouldn't it be worth noting to the "give1" distant-countries recipient, there's some other kid out there with the sister-system to theirs that is enjoying the machine too?

I'm not expressing an opinion on either side of the privacy coin about who are the recipients, just that encouraging the contact and support, in my opinion, goes both directions if you do the job right.

See above. At the moment we are not planning to provide explicit ties between givers and recipients; but between schools. Sj talk

UPDATE: the child I know that's specifically interested became even more interested when he heard it's supposed to be sturdy for kids. Now he's actually asking the german equivalent of Santa. sigh you have succeeded too well at gathering enthusiasm, if I have no way to get him one :(

When will it be more directly available elsewhere and what is holding it back?

It is harmful to the project to let the rumor mill make up this answer. If there are specific difficulties which you are attempting to overcome, you should describe them so people or entities can try to aid you in solving those. If there's plans for a later phase, you should say so - and give some sort of roadmap for it. Letting the question fester lets the most paranoid elements mouth off while the most gentle and supportive have nothing solid to defend your point with. - Heather

The only think holding us up in doing G1G1 globally is logistics. For example, in order to distribute laptops in the EU, one must establish a take-back program. We've got our hands full getting the laptops to children in the early days of mass production, but as we hit our stride, it will be easier for us to reach out to anyone anywhere who wants to participate in our global learning initiatve.