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[xotoad]

We have one of the first OLPC XO G1G1 computers.   First thing we did was to install Skype (without video), Opera, and Java, and even Flash.  All worked, but the little XO was slow and finicky.  Once the novelty wore off nobody wanted to use the XO on a daily basis.  The fun was over.

For several months the XO sat in the closet and it was sad.  I began to use it as an eReader, and that was fine, but when we got a Kindle, the XO went back into the closet.

I did not like the idea of retiring the XO, so I installed a program called Mplayer.  This works great.  Nikki could download her TV shows, movies, and play them on her lunch break.  We have an old V-Mate by Sandisk, which enabled us to copy any movie or TV show on to a SD card.  So any video from the internet or the TV/Netflix could be put on a SD card and played on the XO.  For two years Nkki used the XO at lunch to read ebooks or watch her videos.  What a success!!  

For Christmas I bought Nikki an Archos 7o Internet tablet (android), the lighter and thinner tablet replaced the XO, and back into the closet it went.  

Here is how we now use the XO  today.  

The XO has a  SSD and not a spinning hard drive.   There is no fan, so the XO runs cool 24/7 and does not use a lot of electricity.  Sounds good, but "what am I running 24/7??? -- I use it as an internet radio and podcast/music audio broadcaster.  

 I have a C.Crane FM Transmitter to broadcast throughout the entire home.  So any radio in the house that is tuned in 90.5 fm gets what ever is being broadscasted from the XO.  Usually you will find the following being played at my home:

RFI Musique (www.rfi.fr)
No agaenda show Podcast (either streaming or downloaded copy)
RFI Monde News and Talk

I have also begun to place my Podcasts on a USB stick and POP it in the OLPC for playing throughout the house while cleaning or working in the garage.  

My favorite Podcasts
New York Times podcasts
TWIT Podcast and Shows
No Agenda Show
Canadian Broadcast CBC

So I pile a whole bunch of podcasts on the USB Stick and it will play all of them or my internet radio stations (streaming).

So you might ask why I need this.  I don't,  but I hate to have this maching go to waste, so I am using it everyday 24/7 now and it works very well.  I don't like the idea of running the Windows machine just to play a podcast or listen to the internet radio.   Mplayer plays just about every audio and video format.  There you have it, this is how I use my XO today.

I would like to add that I am a "returned Peace Corps Volunteer"  so listening to Radio France International crystal clear (instead of on my short wave) is a huge pleasure.  I can stream their news channel or their music channel all day and night.  I love the music, as you will hear music that you never hear in the states.  

Being that I have one of the first G1G1 XO models, I have to add a few comments.

The keyboard was replaced only a few weeks after we received it.  The mouse problems and sticky key problems went away forever.  We run the 767 build, as it is the only newer version that works on my unit.  I have only two activities installed.  Terminal and Browser.   Yes, I have only three icons on the home page, Journal, Browser and Terminal.  Sorry this post has taken so long to edit, but my Chemotherapy has been rough on me.  Special thanks to Anna for her posts.