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Followup on MS and Brazil in NY Times

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the stuff-to-read dept.

putko was one of dozens to submit a story running on the NY Times about Open Source and Brazil. The choice quote is "We're not going to spend taxpayers' money on a program so that Microsoft can further consolidate its monopoly..."

8 of 386 comments (clear)

  1. Have to say . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I agree with one of the sentiments in the article:-

    Others say the government should focus its technology initiatives elsewhere, especially in schools. Only 19 percent of Brazil's public schools have computers.

    This is where technology can be most wisely spent, where it will have the greatest benefit, and where kids will actually learn about computers.

    Of course it'll also be most effective at creating a mindset that isn't geared towards using MS products.

  2. Good.. by Keck · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If only other politicians had enough backbone to use tax money in ways that benefit all the people who paid for it, instead of ingraining a monopoly ...

    --
    A computer without Microsoft is like ice cream without ketchup.
    1. Re:Good.. by Nos. · · Score: 5, Insightful

      the government should decide on what gets the job done with the least amount of money
      I can't agree with you there. Its not about what's cheapest. A government looking to purchase or build anything (software, roads, a desk, etc.) should not decide solely on price. This is when we get into complaining about the "lowest bidder" and the crappy work they do. The government, like anyone, should choose a product based on cost AND quality. Sometimes its better to spend more if it will save time/money/lives later on.

  3. Great! by chris09876 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Brazil has also become the first country to require any company or research institute that receives government financing to develop software to license it as open-source, meaning the underlying software code must be free to all.

    This is really a wonderful, wonderful idea. It's a shame more governments haven't adopted this philosophy. Lots of governments just find it so easy to spend money that they didn't "earn". I have to congratulate Brazil on this!

    --
    I store my recipes online (the way nature intended)
  4. Re:It doesn't matter... by deathguppie · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Most computer literate people, with experience on windows will switch to pirated copies of XP. Some will do it at the beckoning of their friends. But most will just use what comes with their computer so that they won't break their computer.

    Funny thing is that when they see what will happen to their friends unpatched pirated copy of XP in a few months, they will realize that was a wise choice

    --
    once more into the breach
  5. What a load... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "That the masses cannot be allowed to make their own choices, because their choices might include Microsoft?"

    The *government* are not the masses. They choose to opt for a cheaper solution, whats the problem?

    Its pure capitalism, Microsoft are free to offer Windows free and open source to Brazil, if Microsoft can't compete why should Brazil make a special exception for them?

  6. Re:NYT article. by jbolden · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You are trying to conflate three issues:

    1) Do /.ers agree that governments should interfere in a free technology market?

    2) Does a free technology market exist for the government to interfere in?

    3) Do /.ers agree that the choice of technologies the government of Brazil is making are good?

    The answers are: no, no and yes. There is no contradiction here. The people of Brazil will have the option of buying a Windows OS from a store blowing away their shipped configuration and installing Windows. That's the same right that Americans today enjoy with respect to Linux. It will be interesting to see how many people do that.

  7. Brazil: Just Do It! by ahodgkinson · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The Brazilian government may actually have the staying power to just say no to Microsoft.

    Consider what Brazil has done in the recent past:

    • Photo-ed and fingerprinted incoming American citizens in response to America's change in visa policies.
    • Charged fairly hefty import tariffs for PCs to promote local industry.
    • Promotes Brazilian music, and indirectly, interest in Brazilian culture and tourism, via the encouragement of free music downloads [I read this in a magazine, but can't anything online confirming it. Can anyone help?]
    I'm not saying that these are necessarily all good things. I just want to say that Brazil tends to do it their way, in spite external pressure.

    It's nice to see a country actually withstand to pressure from the multi-nationals and try to implement a policy for the benefit of all its citizens, rather than the usual vested interests. Let's just hope it doesn't become corrupted.

    Also, recognize that Brazil is interested making their population computer literate. This includes the longer term goal of developing a viable computer software industry. Open Source is an inexpensive and suitable platform for giving everyone a software development environment. Why only a few may actually use it, I'm sure it will create a lot of talented programmers.

    --
    ---- It won't be as bad as you fear or as good as you hope, but it will take twice as long as you plan.