The mesh network, already unstable in structure, is also dysfunctional due to its power issue. For this system to work optimally, and for a connection to travel farthest, all computers must be on at all times, even when they are not being used. For example, if a student were a link between two others in this network and turned off his or her computer, the result would be a break in the mesh, and all students who base their Internet access off this student would be affected. Since the laptop requires power by hand, leaving it on continuously is impossible, and the mesh network is even less effective than described above.

With access to millions of computers around the world, especially with the mesh network technology, there is the problem of diminished security. Although the laptop will have safety features built in to prevent the rapid spread of viruses or the creation of additional viruses, the security features being implemented are intentionally non-intrusive and therefore weak. It is only a matter of time before an enterprising hacker decides to cyber-attack all such computers online at a given time. One may also infect the computers with a virus, rendering them and thus the whole program useless. Although this is speculative, it is good to observe the case of Windows- and Apple-based operating systems. Windows is infected by an abundance of viruses, while Apple has comparatively much fewer, mainly due to the fact that Apple has a much smaller marketing size. This indicates that as the program grows, the number of potential viruses infecting the laptops will grow as well. Considering the fact that the computers are constantly online because of their mesh network technology, spreading a virus to all computers on a single mesh could be extremely easy.

The use of proprietary software also presents a problem. Due to the low technical specifications of the laptop, such as a lack of substantial RAM and hard drive space, common operating systems such as Windows and OS X are not capable of running on the laptop. In addition, these low specifications prevent usage by many common programs, such as Microsoft Office and the web browsers Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. By preventing access to these programs, actual usage of the laptops will be limited to only a handful of programs specifically designed for the laptop. Although these will include an operating system and likely a web browser and word processor, its uses will be very significantly hindered. Even if designed to be a laptop with limited uses, expansion of its software is desirable.

Potential Solutions

What can be done to improve the technology for education in the developing world is a major question with a very difficult answer. There are many solutions, but which one is the most beneficial? One simple solution is to invest money into traditional methods of education as opposed to those requiring technology. Although one of the main purposes of these advances is to allow all children to access the Internet, such a goal is not essential to learning. A child in a rural African village may not necessarily need to access the Internet or have access to a computer. This child may benefit more from well-educated teachers that are able to teach well, or perhaps updated and useful textbooks. With limited funds to expand education in the developing world, any improvement, whether technological or rudimentary in nature, would be an improvement. The US$250 million being spent by Libya could instead buy millions of books or pay salaries for thousands of teachers. It can allow for the construction of many new schools. Such an investment is arguably better in teaching. Although expansion of technology would be helpful, if a country does not maintain a strong foundational base of education, such as well-educated teachers and safe schools, laptops would likely be pointless. Therefore, improving non-technology-based education while current technology options are limited may be a better use of funds until more advanced technologies become readily available.

Governments can also use the money to build up the infrastructure and technology of their country’s education system. For instance, one of the main problems with the $100 laptop is the lack of viable Internet access. Although provisions have been created that would allow for Internet access, it is unlikely to be very successful. Instead, the government could build wide area networks or increase the dissemination of wired broadband access. This would provide Internet access to all people with computers. Even if the number of computers remains low, the number is likely to increase due to donations of old computers from wealthier countries. In addition, creating Internet centers, locations where people can access computers freely, would be a good use of money. Not every child may need a computer. Instead of giving laptops to every person, placing several computers every few miles throughout the country would be more efficient. The plan would make distribution equitable, or at least more so than with the laptops, and would prevent the sale of computers, since no single person would own the computer. It also ends the problem of a lack of Internet access as each of these Internet locations could potentially be connected to the Internet, such as through a satellite service. The issue of electricity is also nonexistent, as each of these places would have some electrical supply, such as an external generator in rural areas or a connection to a power grid.

A third answer would be to provide each family with a computer, as opposed to each child. Although such problems associated with the originally discussed laptop would remain, fewer laptops would be needed. This is due to the simple fact that most families with children have many children. If each family were given a laptop, instead of each child, more money could be spent on individual laptops at the same total cost. This strategy would thus increase the quality and usefulness of each laptop. For instance, instead of making the laptop run on only proprietary software, it could instead run on widely used software if the technical specifications increase. It also reduces the chance of a family selling a laptop. If the entire family is benefiting from the machine, as opposed to just the children, then the family may decide to keep the machine. If software is designed that would enable the parents to use the laptop for their own purposes, perhaps for growing crops in an agricultural area, then the parents would have more of a reason to keep the machine—each of these machines could be shared with little loss of value to each child.