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Microsoft Ties $235m IT Aid To Use of Windows
E5Rebel writes "Microsoft will spend $235m in schools worldwide over the next five years, part of a plan to
triple the number of students and teachers trained in its software programs to up to 270 million by 2013. 'Microsoft's investment shows how important it views developing markets to its future business. Last year, Microsoft introduced the Student Innovation Suite, which includes the XP Starter Edition plus educational applications, for $3 for qualifying countries. Microsoft faces heated competition from companies supporting the open-source OS Linux and associated software in developing countries. "I think as a company we welcome choice," [Orlando Ayala] said. "Frankly, we welcome the competition." The company's educational funding comes with a hitch: "Of course, that includes the fact they [the schools] use Windows," Ayala said.' If you don't use Windows you don't get the cash." Microsoft has long been interested in the education of children.
it's where they get all their best ideas!
(calm down modders - it's just a joke)
Can I mod an article -1 Troll?
Wow... I didn't see this coming. I figured it was impossible for Microsoft to undercut free software... guess I was wrong! I'm teaching my kids Ubuntu, however, I can be bribed to switch :-) If Microsoft would like one less slashdotter bashing Windows, a promise of free lifetime software and maybe a few hundred bucks would do the trick.
Beer is proof that God loves us, and wants us to be happy.
"If you don't use Windows you don't get the cash."
This is a great message to send to kids. Excellent lesson in early childhood corporate corruption.
Microsoft seems to be operating under the same deluded stereotype that many people have about the developing world:
<stereotype>
- They're desperate for help
- They're take any help they can get
- They'll be thankful and greatful for the help
- They'll be loyal to whomever gave the help
</stereotype>
The reality is this: People are people. No matter where you go, they are always the same. Sure, they have different foods they eat, different religious trappings, and different customs about who's allowed to do what when to whom for how many cookies. Basic human nature however is absolutely no different between America and India. (I should know, I've lived in both places for multiple years.)
In China, Christian missionaries tried to convert some Chinese to Christianity. The Chinese were very enthusiastic about this conversion, and tried to pick up as many English language skills as they could. After learning enough English, they'd stop visiting the missionaries.
In India, Christian missionaries were paying(!) Indians to convert from the Hindu religion to Christianity. Indians were very enthusiastic about this conversion. After getting a dunk in the water and ~$1 USD (for the really poor, enough to buy food for the family for a couple of days), the whole Christianity thing was quickly forgotten by those who attended. The government was in a bit of an uproar however, as it threatened to throw a lot of "scheduled caste" stuff out of whack had it been anything more than a passing fad.
Microsoft thinks it can donate some equipment and get some future loyalty to Windows out of it? Hah! They are in for a surprise.
Please note, I'm not saying that helping people is bad. I'm saying that having an ulterior motive for helping people is unwise, and usually won't get you what you truly want. (Especially people in the developing world, who are remarkably efficient at identifying and making the best use of limited resources.)
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I'm pretty sure that Europeans did these kinds of comparisons first.
Intron: the portion of DNA which expresses nothing useful.