Saw this little tidbit over at Geekzone and I thought I would pass it on.
Microsoft’s new plan to increase technology adoption in developing countries is to partner with governments and offer a software bundle for mere US$3.
Through the Partners in Learning program, Microsoft have announced the Microsoft Student Innovation Suite, a software package for governments purchasing and giving Windows-based PCs to primary and secondary students for their personal use at home and for schoolwork. The education suite includes Windows XP Starter Edition, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, Microsoft Math 3.0, Learning Essentials 2.0 for Microsoft Office, and Windows Live Mail desktop.
Check out the complete article at Geekzone!
Discounted commercial software is a threat to fair trade in the labor market. This “giveaway” and the continued discounts to the “emerging nations” in part is an effort to maintain and expand the pool of low cost offshore labor. Far from a charitable act, it is a loosely disguised marketing program to preserve Microsoft’s dominant position. It does so in a manner that discriminates against the population of developed nations and tampers with fair trade and fair competition. Where are the discounts for the poor in developed nations? They don’t exist and it’s not an oversight.