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Microsoft Thinks Africa Doesn't Need Free Software

Posted by samzenpus on from the cough-up-the-cash dept.

DIY News writes "Microsoft has claimed the cost of software is not an important issue in the developing world. According to MS, while you can give people free software or computers, they won't have the expertise to use it."

9 of 729 comments (clear)

  1. Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Linux can cure hunger.

    1. Re:Linux by pintomp3 · · Score: 3, Funny

      really? i thought it was the other way around. linux creates a hunger for more oos, while people get fed up with windows.

  2. They know... by axonal · · Score: 5, Funny

    They seem to know how to use computers already! Excuse me while I go fax my banking information to the attorney of an imprisoned Prince whose country recently went into anarchy, I need to help transfer funds for him!

  3. In other News... by c0l0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nestle's CEO states that "Africa does not need bread and water, but Butterfinger and Nescafe".

    --
    :%s/Open Source/Free Software/g

    YTARY!
  4. Ah... so you can lead the coarse to water, by mtec · · Score: 2, Funny

    but you can't make them think?

    Shame on you MS!

    --
    Cake or Death? Cake Please!
  5. The easiest way to get free software to Africa by dirtsurfer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just teach them to use bittorrent.

  6. Re:No, they don't need free software by rlanctot · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ya jeez. They should be thinking about more important things, like keeping IP safe.

  7. Re:Not just Microsoft are poorly-informed by maxwell+demon · · Score: 2, Funny
    Let's just wait for the flood of misinformed replies flooding in here on Slashdot like they do every time a story about Africa is posted. I expect to see many stupid posts by slashdotters arguing "what's the use for computers if you don't have food?"

    What's the use of food when you don't have computers? <gd&r>
    --
    The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
  8. URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL by OpperNerd · · Score: 2, Funny

    Please reply through this e-mail address: bensonkabo1962@eudoramail.com

    Dear Sir/Madam.

    URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL.

    This letter may come to you as a surprise since it is coming from someone
    you have not met before. However, we decided to contact you based on a
    satisfactory information we had about the western world, as regards
    business information concerning your country and the safety of our funds
    in a steady economy such as that of your country compared to our country
    Nigeria, Africa. I am Neil Holloway, the president of Microsoft for Europe,
    the Middle East and Africa. My close and trusted colleagues
    and I need your assistance in the transfer of US$45.5 million into any
    reliable Account you may nominate overseas.This fund was generated from
    over-invoicing of contracts executed by the Microsoft under our control and
    supervision. This fund is now ready to be remitted into any account we put
    forward for that purpose.What we want from you is a good and reliable
    company or personal account into which we shall transfer this fund.

    --
    -- unix is for people without a social life - Patrick van Eijk