[LINK] Gates on technology for the poor

[Glen Turner]

richard@auscoms.com.au wrote:

> Outside of policitical information, I can't think of a single instance where a
> day's difference, or a week's or a month's, in the dissemination of information
> will change the life of someone in the third world.

Weather in Bangledesh, given it takes a while to walk to higher ground.
The re-emergence of Ebola in Kinhasa.

I think you do have a point though.  Whereas poeple in the US may use the
Internet for entertainment, it's more likely to be used as a community
communications device in poorer countries.  Like the phone once was.

There's no doubt in my mind though that Gates is being hypocritcal
in the extreme.  Microsoft products often cost more in US dollar
terms in poorer countries than in the US.

To an extent his comments can be seen as a spoiler for HP's initiative
in its e-marketplace in excess and unsalable food and goods.  This
actually looks worthwhile, given that the aid/charity community here
in Adelaide is having a huge problem sourcing furniture for the internees
from Woomera that the federal government is dumping in Adelaide.  Yet
we know that people get rid of old furniture every day.

Best wishes,
Glen