We've Relocated!
We've relocated our office to Sequim, but we're not gone! We welcome you to register with us to access our updated contact information. Also, as a registered user, you'll be able to learn more about our newly-implemented LogMeIn Rescue service, which enables us to solve many computer problems within minutes of your call! Register today!| Microsoft to offer $3 software bundle |
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| Written by Tim | |||
| Monday, 23 April 2007 08:11 | |||
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Microsoft announced today that the company is embarking on an ambitious program to sell its products to students in developing nations. The program, an expansion of the "Microsoft Unlimited Potential" effort, will involve selling a bundle of software that 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, for an average cost of $3. The offer will only be extended to qualifying governments that purchase and supply PCs directly to students. "All human beings deserve a chance to achieve their full potential," said Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft. "Bringing the benefits of technology to the next 5 billion people will require new products that meet the needs of under-served communities; creative, new business approaches that make technology more relevant, accessible and affordable; and close collaboration between local governments, educational institutions and community organizations." The program is a continuation of Microsoft's efforts to promote computer-assisted education. The company has invested in a five-year, $250 million "Partners in Learning" program that is already active in 101 countries, providing training that has equipped 2.5 million teachers and 57 million students worldwide. Microsoft also announced that it is extending the development of its Microsoft Innovation Centers and expects to open an additional 200 centers in 25 countries by 2009. The centers provide local software communities with resources such as job training and employment programs for students. The Redmond-based software company is also sponsoring an annual technology competition called the Imagine Cup, which last year attracted 65,000 students from 100 countries. There are some who might cynically assume that Microsoft is sponsoring these programs merely to find some way to extract a small amount of money from markets where most software is pirated, as well as a way to preclude the adoption of Linux-based software in the developing world. Other critics point out—and this is a fair criticism—that Windows XP Starter Edition is fairly crippled compared to regular versions of Windows.
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