Just thought this should be more widely known:
http://mg.co.za/articledirect.aspx?articleid=253198

It appears that Microsoft has negotiated a deal to install their software in public telecentres throughout South Africa. The Shuttleworth Foundation's position, that "there are many software alternatives in open source", starts to sound a little hollow; if Microsoft is offering to install and maintain the software, what open source company is going to offer such a service for free, even if the software is free as in beer?

Microsoft is offering the better deal. Yes, I know it's not better in the long run and morally and all that, but what can be done?

QUOTE :: "... but what can be done? "


thats rather kind of "bleak" situation ...

but how about making sure that as many as possible people graduating from schools and educational institutions knowing only or "majoring" or perform more fluently and conversate better in/with free softwares and open source know-how and technologies ?? maybe not right now we could see that results , maybe in the near future , if it really happenned , it might translate into an obvious social need for free softwares and open source stuffs where the "authority" just couldnt pretend that it never happens on whatever bargaining tables ...

having said that , but whos going to tell those minors "free softwares and open source are the answers to your needs , it should works even well into your stable adult livelihood"


knowing that its something damn generalise
but just my casual thoughts right now ...