Yves Behar is the person responsible for designing the $100 laptop, which will hopefully allow millions of children to join the digital community. Wired filed a report on Yves this morning, following a report by Techdirt on India’s refusal to buy any of his computers. Yves’ work has attracted some controversy, with detractors commenting that laptops are simply not a priority for many of the world’s children.

Yves works for Nicholas Negroponte and One Lap Top per Child, a non profit making organisation. The concept is to create a laptop that cost $100, and sell a minimum of one million to respective governments. However, the process of actually doing this has not been straightforward. The technology was required to be immune to all of the elements, be highly usable and demonstrate universal appeal.

However, Yves’ work has attracted criticism, from the very people expected to support him. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Intel boss Craig Barret have all questioned the utility of the $100 laptop. Indeed, India’s decision not to place an order appears to confirm their doubts. The Indian Government have pointed out that they need to build schools and hire teachers, rather than buy laptops. While India’s decision is dissappointing, it should be pointed out that other countries are interested. Techdirt have reported that Nigeria have placed an order for one million laptops, while several South American countries are currently negotiating with Nicholas.

Yves Behar comments that one problem facing the project has been Western ignorance; we imagine the developing world to be one of abosolute poverty, when this is not always the case. He points out that many young people living in Asia and Africa do have food and water and would like to own their own computer. While the current price has crept past the $100 target, Nicholas Negroponte predicts the price will fall to $50 by 2010. It seem the future belongs to the children.