Chromebooks and Libraries

I've been evaluating the new $249 Chromebook from Google and Samsung.  This is Google's latest attempt to bring a web-centric model of computing device to the masses.  The device is small (with an 11 1/2 inch screen) and lightweight (about 2 1/2 pounds), and the Linux-based Chrome operating system boots quickly and cleanly.  Applications are web-based, and can be loaded from Google's Chrome Web Store.  The criticism is that many apps are little more than glorified bookmarks for the Chrome browser, but it all works well enough. 

Unlike previous generations (which used laptop-like Intel Atom or Celeron CPUs), this Chromebook uses a mobile phone-class Exynos processor.  It's easy to load too many tabs and apps at first, but the system quickly slows down to remind you that this is a simple device, intended to be used simply. The payoff for this processor is improved battery life-- I have been getting more than 7 hours per charge.  

With it's limits in mind, the device works well for browsing the web, writing emails, and using web apps.  Patrons can sign on to the devices  with their Google accounts (bringing up their Gmail, and Google apps, docs, and calendars), or can "browse as guests" anonymously. 

The chicklet-type keys have good play and are easy to type with.  Keys for controlling screen brightness and speaker volume are placed similarly with the same keys on the OLPC XO!  They even use similar symbols.  In fact, you might place the XO and the Chromebook on the same evolutionary line of Linux laptops, all using lightweight power saving hardware and simplified user experiences and designed for specific users (students, web surfers).  The touchpad works without any drama, and the camera is good enough for video chats.  The Chromebook looks inexpensive, but not cheap.  It does not seem to be as durable as the rugged little XO, which was designed to be dropped by little hands, but everything worked out of the box and nothing has broken so far, although I'm not planning any drop tests!   

The device works well as an ebook reader for purchased (or free) ebooks (using web-based apps like Google Play, Nook for Web and Kindle Cloud).  Ironically, the most closed-in system for checking out ebooks from libraries is the one that works best with the Chromebook:  Kindle ebooks checked out from libraries through Overdrive are readable with Kindle Cloud Reader since all the DRM is handled through Amazon. There is no Overdrive Media Console for Chrome.  I plan on further testing of other systems for a later post
 
For years I've hoped that thin client technology would improve to the point where libraries could swap out our usual array of MS Windows-based PCs for something far cheaper to buy and maintain.  The "Personal Computer" was always way too personalizable for efficient use in libraries.  Tremendous, and tremendously expensive effort has gone into locking down these things for use by library patrons.  

Thin clients, which pull user profiles and programs from servers, have always made more sense to me for patron use. But the user experience has always been lacking, and patrons were too wedded to Microsoft Office for it to be feasible.  This newest Chromebook, however, could meet the needs of a lot of patrons for a simple web device, and online apps are a lot more acceptable.  The price is right, and I know many libraries are evaluating Chromebooks.  With luck, we may be moving into the "post public PC" era in libraries.

OLPC Give 1 Get 1 Program Extended

By now you have probably heard of the One Laptop Per Child program's Give 1 Get 1 program which allows (North American) consumers to purchase an XO laptop for twice the price, and donating a second XO to a child in a developing country. Originally planned to run for just two weeks, it's now been extended to the end of the year.

One of the reasons given for the extension is to allow organized fund raising campaigns to get involved. I know I have heard several suggestions that U.S. schools raise money to purchase XOs for their own use while helping a school overseas.

It's on my short list for Christmas!

OLPC Laptops to go into production by July

The AP is running a good summary of the OLPC project today, along with news that the XOs will go into production by July.

"Several million are expected to reach Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan, Thailand and the Palestinian territory."

An exciting way to start the year-- I wonder if people felt this way when the Model T was going into production!

OLPC Receives Test Build X0-1

Christopher Blizzard reports that the OLPC people have received the first hand-built X0-1 "Test build" device destined for "destructive testing" over the next few months.

There are interesting pictures posted on the OLPC wiki.

The pictures show the display in both black and white and color mode, the touchpads (including the one intended for use with a stylus), and one of the keyboard layouts.

Most interesting to me, was this photo showing the comparative size of the device when placed on a "normal" laptop. It is clearly scaled for little hands.

It is so exciting to see this project hit important milestones with such apparent success.

OLPC X0-1 : the new Carnegie?

Technology Review has a good article on the OPLC X0-1 (yes, that seems to be the official new name), which compares the project to Andrew Carnegie's project to build libraries across the United States and Great Britain from a hundred years ago.

I'm glad more people are seeing this connection-- the OLPC project is no more about computers than Carnegie's project was about architecture. It's all about making information available to all, or nearly all. Remember that if the OLPC really does meet its goals of putting tens of millions of these devices in the hands of students around the world, each one will be an e-book reader. This will revolutionize publishing, and not only in the developing world.