Fears About Microsoft Return, in Mexico

Z` points to this New York Times article, which begins: "While Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft, defended the company against charges of monopolistic practices before Congress this week, legislators in Mexico City prepared their own attack against a new agreement by Microsoft and the Mexican government that could drive millions of new Internet users into Microsoft's waiting arms by the end of the year."

Comments

A Quiet Revolution, Subverted by Noise

[ChaoticCoyote]

Consider, for a moment, that Slashdot and other pro-Linux sites trumpeted the introduction of Linux in Mexico. Did anyone think Microsoft wouldn't notice?

Sometimes, it's best to tread softly and carry a big stick; if you yell too much about a potential success, some bigger fish might come along and eat your lunch. Microsoft perceived the Linux-Mexico initiatives as a threat, and reacted with their drug-dealer attitude: "The first one is free." It sounds *so* good, until you find your country trapped by a monopoly...

Perhaps Linux needs to work harder and quiter, instead of bringing undue attention upon itself with artless boasting.

Re:looks like it may be just the start..

[letxa2000]

You better know who you're greasing, and whether they're really on your side. Bribes are illegal (even in Mexico :) so if they don't really like you, they take your money and then you're arrested for trying to bribe a public official.

I'm an American living in Mexico. No-one ever gets arrested for bribing in Mexico--not the briber or the person that accepts the bribe.

Mexican studies have also shown that as much as 30% of Mexico's GDP is spent on bribes.

Believe me, the politicians really don't care about protecting a "budding industry"--especially one such as Internet that very few people in Mexico even use. They'd rather just pocket the bribe, say, "Go ahead," and probably piss off next to no-one since few people use Internet and, of those people, few of the users know enough to realize that Microsoft will trample them.

rnd() says: Stop being so idealistic...

[Abreu]

As a mexican citizen, I am naturally leery of any plan made by my goverment with the support of private businessmen that supposedly is going to make my life better.

It has always been a scam.

It happened with NAFTA (where only the US benefits), it happened with the bank rescue (where only corrupt bankers and people with large ammounts of money in banks benefited), it happened with the privatization of the phone company... it has happened over and over and over again.

The fact that Bill Gates and Carlos Slim are involed only make matters worse. I fear for the future...