Microsoft has come under fire from some quarters following the expansion of its Unlimited Potential initiative, which aims to bring technology to the five billion humans who have yet to encounter it.
The expansion announcement, made by Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, in Beijing, recently, resulted in various commentators asking whether this is another step in Microsoft's war against open source software (OSS).
The expanded initiative will see Microsoft making Learning Essentials 2.0, Microsoft Math 3.0, Office Home and Student 2007, Windows Live Mail Desktop and Windows XP Starter Edition available to "qualifying" governments, which buy and supply directly to students, for $3. It will bundle this with a PC, which will cost a further $47. All of these products are expected to ship by the end of this year.
The company is also increasing the number of its Innovation Centres from 110 to 200 in the next two years, and expanding these into 85 countries. There are centres in 60 countries, including SA, which is set to get a further five, with another two possibly on the cards, according to Microsoft SA developer and platform group director Danny Naidoo.
Strategic initiative
Further, says Microsoft, "... to help address the growing employability gap, Microsoft is working with government and industry to accelerate skill development and help employers find qualified candidates. Microsoft is modelling this approach in India through the creation of an employability portal that will aid the country's nearly 400 000 engineering students who graduate each year to improve their technology, business and communication skills through online training and verification".
Independent commentators and open source publications have slated the above as Microsoft's attempt to spread the reach of its technology to future generations of learners, teachers, and, ultimately, employees. However, Naidoo says this is a long-term, strategic initiative and should be viewed as such.
"This is a far greater opportunity for all industry players than just Microsoft fighting a battle," he notes. Naidoo adds that bringing more technology literate people into the global market provides opportunities for players in all sectors, and will help SA to improve its technological readiness ratings, which have dropped in recent years.
"This PC offering is addressing the core need that will drive up SA's readiness and hopefully enable us to improve our competitiveness by leveraging technology. It is a far greater opportunity for all players than Microsoft fighting a particular battle."
Share