$100 laptop project eyes launch
,----[ ]
| Ultimately the project's backers hope the machines could sell for
| as little as $100 (£55).
|
| The first countries to sign up to buying the machine include
| Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Nigeria, Libya,
| Pakistan and Thailand.
`----
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6224183.stm
Pakistan? Argentina? Uruguay? When did /this/ happen? Maybe they learned
their lesson from others and kept quiet like Munich... you know, in order to
keep Microsoft hobbyists, pressure groups and extortionists away. Microsoft
recently brainwashed ministers in Thailand, remember (see below)? Still
playin' whack-a-mole with Linux. The money that's at stake makes this
affordable, even if it involves giving discounts to every business that
thinks of defecting to the competition. Now, that is what they call
chokehold (or "illegally obtained and sustained monopoly").
Related:
Here it is from a better source
,----[ Quote ]
| About the meeting with Microsoft, he mentioned that he got a request from
| ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
| M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula, deputy prime minister. [Note: It seems
| likely that the early meeting with Microsoft was about going to see
| the operation of British e-government.) Dr.Sitthichai said he will
| use his own money and contact British government directly instead.
|
| For the OLPC project, he asserted that he does not oppose or intend
| cancel the project. This project was initiated during Thaksin's
| government with no financial support plan. Therefore, the government
| does not have budget to support the project. Kamthorn had a chance
| to clarify and talk about the project for a little while. The
| minister said he will bring that up for the next meeting with
| OLPC working group which Dr.Djitt Laowattana serves as a board
| director.
`----
http://www.iosn.net/asean-3/countries/thailand/news/thai-open-sourcers-meet-ict-minister
Thai Open Sourcers Meet ICT Minister
,----[ Quote ]
| Eight representatives from Thai Open Source Associations and
| users/developers of open source software met Dr. Sitthichai, Thai
| ICT minister, discussing about open source in Thailand and roles
| of the government.
|
| They handed the open letter (asking for support of open source) with
| 800 names of supporters on to the minister. He apologized and
| admitted that he is hardware-oriented and does not have knowledge
| about software that much. He said he does not oppose. He just
| does not know. From now on, he is willing to support open source
| software usage and development by the local industry.
`----
http://www.localfoss.org/Thai_Open_Sourcers_Meet_ICT_Minister
|
|
