Even though this has to do with big business and Bill Gates (who we all hate?), this could be a good thing for the kid and his classmates… don’t you think ? Again… here’s hoping…
From Reporter
Greece signed an agreement with the world’s biggest software company, Microsoft to establish IT development centres in an effort to boost the country’s competitiveness. The agreement, signed by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Greece’s finance minister calls for the creation of centres to provide IT and business development skills.
“From being a laggard, Greece in a short amount of time is dynamically becoming a leader in the use of new technologies,” Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said at the signing ceremony. “Investment in advanced technology … is a prerequisite for a break with the past, which is something the country needs, and for it to be a knowledge leader.
Total government and private sector IT spending is about 2 billion euros while Greece’s internet penetration has risen from 0.1 percent in 2004 to about 10 percent of the population currently but the country is still at the bottom of the class when compared to its European peers.
UPDATE: This relates to an earlier post here.
Technorati: greece, microsoft, bill gates, computers, education
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Microsoft and Greece…
New post at deviousdiva.com…
Other European countries have adopt open source technologies based on open international standards. Why Greece had to bind itself to closed and proprietary technologies like Microsoft ‘s ? For more info look at the following
In greek:
http://lists.ffii.org/pipermai.....00013.html
http://oneiros.gr/blog/2008/01/25/msbillapproved
In english:
http://www.spinellis.gr/blog/20080127/
Thanks for responding, chstath. Can you explain what other European countries are doing, for those of us (me
) who are not so up to date with computer education etc ?
I think it’s so important that our kids are given access to computers and new technology but I am unsure what is happening elsewhere. Thanks.
Right. OK so this has to do with the recent court cases against Microsoft. I had followed some of that, and being a dedicated mac user I am automatically against the monopoly of Bill and his cronies, but I am also concerned for the kids education here.
Currently he gets to play some games on a couple of antiquated computers and that’s about it ! I was day-dreaming about computer labs and laptops for kids…
I was just hoping for something more…
Well look on the bright side. At least Bill Gates is American and not a terrorist trying to kill us. He just wants to make our life a little better. He really is a good guy. He gave almost all his money to Warren Buffet’s charities.
So, let’s give Bill a break, he’s really not that bad of a guy.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/2.....1.fortune/
This was the article that started it all.
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They just agree with Microsoft on a business matter in order to earn some money . All these dont’t have any relation with an “Investment in advanced technology … ” . They are humiliating the Greek society with agreements like this one
DD, it’s just a sell-out, probably getting some heavy bribes for some politicians. It will basically ensure that the field of technology will stay behind for even longer.
Greece has a monoculture of Microsoftisms, that is very bad for our competiveness to other countries. When your kid grows up and one day maybe decides to become a programmer, he will be faced with very few interesting jobs – like someone who want to become a car designer and has to settle for working at the car wash (exaggerated example). Greece is just a “consumer” of MS products, there is *nothing* to gain from an agreement with MS.
Countries like India have shown that really adopting technology and open source software can help a countrie’s economy and educational system. In our car example, they get to build their own cars, no matter how they might be not “mainstream”.
As for “computers in schools”… I’m not so hot about that topic. I didn’t have computers in school, and I turned out to be a hacker kid anyway. School money should go to teachers, books, and school infrastructure first. Computers might be important for kids whose families can’t afford one, but if the school infrastructure is behind in other areas, putting a few computers in a desolate school environment and pushing them on tired teachers will only result in broken or stolen hardware.
Last: for questions about Bill Gates, please refer to How to Become As Rich As Bill Gates.
Thanks Flubberwinkle. I downloaded a plugin for comments that makes shorter urls. It seems to be working ! Thanks for reminding me that there are solutions out there !
“From being a laggard, Greece in a short amount of time is dynamically becoming a leader in the use of new technologies,”
I’m laughing so hard I’m crying! That wins the prize for 2008′s Most Dillusional Comment by a Greek Politician. Ha ha ahahaahahhaaha!!! A leader in the use of new technologies… ahahahaha! *wipes away tears*
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