[lug] OLPC Will Ship With Windows XP

[Nate Duehr]

Jordan Crouse wrote:

> Put plainly this means that there now exists a completely open firmware 
> solution that can boot and run Windows XP, something that has never been 
> accomplished before. This is nothing short then a immense accomplishment 
> and one that the open source community will greatly benefit from.  This 
> makes using a free and open firmware (BIOS) solution a viable commercial 
> option.  That is a *big* *deal*.

For one tiny underpowered platform.


> Take a moment from loudly decrying what is left of the OLPC leadership 
> and thank them for encouraging and funding a free firmware solution for 
> both Linux and Windows (and quite frankly, any other operating system 
> that wants to run on the platform).  Even now, as most of the world is 
> blinded with rage (like our friend Charlie), the more level headed among 
> us should be able to recognize that today, more then ever, this is truly 
> the world's most open hardware platform. Even if the platform ends up 
> shipping with only Windows from this point on, the open source world 
> will benefit far more from this project then it has sacrificed.


What benefit beyond messing around with the BIOS booting on an OLPC was 
gained?  BIOSes are machine-specific.

I don't understand why you find it that big of a benefit to the community?

Nate