The XO was never about "shipping products people could afford and wanted to buy". It was about giving children in developing nations an open platform on which to learn computing, and have access to digitized knowledge resources. Not everyone is out to make a profit, some people just want to do good things.

IIRC It does not need to be licensed, all the designs for all the parts are Open. Any company that can make the manufacturing facility to produce the screens can make them.

I've been using mine daily as well. Firefox+Wiki-on-a-stick for all my writing, midnight commander in the terminal for file system access, and ADOM for gaming pleasure. I've put off getting any other laptop or smart phone because if fills all my mobile computing needs. I'll definitely buy an XO=3 when it comes out (well, Give2Get1 or whatever it works out to be).

That's the kind of e-bikes I'd like to make. My dream job would be designing and building custom e-bikes - frames and all. If figure if I can make them kick-ass awesome enough so that the suits and fashionistas want to ride one as a status symbol I'll have done something for both the environment and my wallet at the same time (and I'll get to build my dream bike-of-the-week in my down time).

I ride daily in downtown Toronto, and obviously look like an electric velocipede; I don't understand why so many e-bikers try and hide the fact that they are juiced. I've had a number of cops grill me about my bike - but always as an interested person, not in an official capacity. If you ride by the rules they don't care.

Per gallon vs load vs distance traveled; single stroke engines with a fuel/oil mix in the tank ARE worse than modern SUVs - they are essentially chainsaw or lawnmower engines.

I love rolling up on those idiots, repeatedly, light after light, halfway across the city during rush hour. Hell, I sometimes slow down just so I can keep rolling along side them occasionally staring at them and fingering my bike lock, I'll never do anything, but it has a tendency to make jerkwad drivers (which only some are, as with cyclists) slow down and be a little more respectful of the other on the road.

Because right of way stages outward from the curb - Light Goes Green. Outside, Curb (cyclists) , and Pedestrian crosses. Outside may start left turn. Inside and Outside waits for Pedestrians and Curb to cross. Inside makes right when Pedestrian and Curb crossing is clear. Outside completes left when oncoming Outside, Pedestrian, and Curb crossing is clear. This of course only works if there are no assholes in the Inside lane trying to race through ahead of the people in the Outside lane or that don't give pedestrians crossing at the lights the due right of way.

My mad-maxish harley/downhill-racer/bmx looking ebike started out as one of those 'electric mopeds', and yes, the pedals on them are worthless. It took me a year to get around to it, but I swapped in a full size chain-ring and pedals, and doubled my battery life and top speed.

750W! Where did you get a 750? I want!

Actually, that is pretty good advice on dealing with the door prize. The first time won it I tried to dodge out into the road and got the edge of the door all down my right side - the bruise took months to fully heal. The second time I turned into the V, hit my front brakes and rolled up over my handlebars and onto the roof of the car. I haven't won since that time, but that's my intended response now.

We have them in Canada as well, same shape, but yellow, and they say 'yield' - which means 'to give in' or 'submit'.

A bike is not a car, but once on the road most places consider it a vehicle under the law, and both drivers and riders should treat each other with the same level of deference and respect.

I've thought of doing this as well, accelerometer and a LED display on the back of the helmet.