On 12/31/06, David Gerard <dgerard(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
On 31/12/06, Anthony <wikilegal(a)inbox.org>
wrote:
No, I'm fairly certain that the Gates
Foundation *doesn't* donate
Windows licenses. And the fact that I haven't gotten that citation I
requested makes me think David Gerard just made that assertion up.
http://www.counterpunch.org/rajiva10272005.html
http://www.slis.indiana.edu/news/story.php?story_id=324
Started in 1997, the Library Program was Bill and Melinda Gates' first
major philanthropic venture. Since that time the program has made
grants to more than 5,800 libraries in the United States, installed
more than 25,000 PCs and trained 7,000 librarians. It is anticipated
that by the end of 2003, 10,000 libraries in 50 states will have
benefited from the $200 million total investment from the foundation.
This year, it's Indiana's turn to benefit.
The Gates Foundation plans to spend $5.8 million equipping 185 public
library buildings in Indiana with computer hardware, software, and
training. Installation and training across Indiana will be scheduled
over the next year and provided by the six SLIS interns. An additional
201 buildings--eligible for partial grants--will receive free software
and training from the Foundation by purchasing their computers.
This makes excellent business sense. I'm sure that Bill is smart enough
not to fall into some obviously stupid Conflict of Interest trap. The
Gates Foundation can by whatever it needs at the best available market
rates as a bulk buyer. When it gives away the software to institutions
the users there become familiar with the software. That can be a big
influence on their future personal software purchase.
Only a small minority of computer purchasers are techno-geeks. They
want their computers to work. If that means Microsoft + AOL they don't
want to look any further.
Ec