OLPC Give One, Get One

It seems that ever since Nick Negroponte and his MIT posse announced their plans to build a super-cheap super-awesome laptop for developing nations, every First World techie has been itching to get their hands on one. But how does one go about selling a product that was only ever meant to be given away? In a move sure to warm hearts and empty wallets, $399 will get a geek a green machine of their very own, and send one to an underprivileged kid on the other side of the world.
The promotion will only be available for a limited time starting November 12, after which one can assume you’ll still be able to buy the things, but you won’t be doing anything for your third-world counterpart. [via]

The time restriction, according to the BBC, has more to do with production issues than the buy-one-give-one-away deal. They want to ensure they don’t sell more than they’re going to be able to produce.