Re: [OSS] Transforming Education - Microsoft Student Innovation Suite

Hi,

Giao Ton a écrit :
> "http://www.microsoft.com/emerging/transformingeducation/MicrosoftStudentInnovationSuite.mspx";
>
>
Interesting at the first view. But, at the end of that page, it says :

"Students around the world are familiar with Microsoft software; now,
those popular tools are updated to work reliably on a new generation of
entry-level PCs. Through Unlimited Potential, Microsoft is working with
governments to provide greater access to technology through a complete
education offering and affordable software, honoring its commitment to
transform education around the world."

My interpretation, when reading in between the lines could be like this :

"Students around the world are familiar with Microsoft software"
= Yes, we let all these people, especially students, in these developing
countries 'freely' use pirated versions of our softwares. So now they
are familiar with them and they can't think of using other (concurrent)
alternatives...

"now, those popular tools are updated to work reliably on a new
generation of entry-level PCs"
= Our newest softwares have integrated digital right management features
(activation of softwares etc.), in combination with hardware detection,
that will restrict the use of pirated softwares through the Genuine
update program. Thus, the people will be obliged to buy licensed
softwares otherwise their (unlicensed) softwares will lock !
Of course computer geeks will know how to circumvene our measures, but
how many geeks are there in the population of ordinary computer users
(we can't have everything, right ?) ?

"Through Unlimited Potential, Microsoft is working with governments to
provide greater access to technology through a complete education
offering and affordable software, honoring its commitment to transform
education around the world."
= We need to lobby the governments of these developing countries so that
they make sure that right from the primary and secondary schools, the
school pupils get acquainted with our products and know nothing else
than them. Even if we sell them products for a few dollars, the
important thing is to lock them with our products, then when will come
the time of upgrading, they will need to pay more for that.

In short : if you think you got a fantastic product for only 3$ (but
only through governmental licenses - don't think you can go in a store
and get the package with only 3$), in fact you are just selling the
freedom of your documents, so of your mind products by locking them in a
proprietary format

I'd like to stress the word "affordable" , in the last sentence of the
Microsoft's quote, which stress what it all is about, in the end : Big
Business !

Not bridging digital divide nor access to technology : for that we've
got Free softwares (as Free in Freedom), like OpenOffice.org, and many
others that runs either under Windows, Mac OS or under GNU/Linux, that
should be more advisable to use in developing countries as they have no
licensing costs.

Regards

--
M. Vu Do Quynh
Agence universitaire de la Francophonie, Bureau Asie Pacifique
Responsable, Campus numérique francophone (CNF) de Hanoi
C°/ IFI (Rez de chaussée, derrière l'Amphi. Marcel Dassault)
Bâtiment D, Impasse (Ngo) 42, rue Ta Quang Buu (Q. Hai Ba Trung), Hanoi
Tél: +84-4-868.48.85 ; Télécopie: +84-4-869.45.09
Sites de toile: http://www.vn.refer.org/

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