Microsoft says Africa does not Need Free Software

Friday, Oct. 21 2005 | Author: AlexTan

You can give people free software, but they won’t have the expertise to use it,

Says Microsoft Nigeria’s manager.

The average annual Nigerian salary is only $160, a copy of Windows XP can cost even more than that, and that’s not even including the word processing applications.

“It’s not about the cost of the software, it’s about how you take your expertise to people. We are sharing our expertise, particularly with governments in emerging markets. Cost is not the barrier here â expertise is,”

said Holloway. Because as everyone knows, expertise surpasses all financial barriers…

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4 Responses for "Microsoft says Africa does not Need Free Software"

Andrew

October 21st, 2005 at 14:15
1

What they need is aids medicine but not even that’s enough because aids medicine needs to be taken at very exact intervals. . . they don’t have watches. Sure every bit of aid (not to be confused with aids) helps them but it’s more important that we yell at the medicine company’s and watch making companies.
cliche

October 21st, 2005 at 17:39
2

I’d say they should charge even more for Windows. Maybe that way, I’ll get less emails from the princes and whatnots who all have gazillions of dollars that can be unlocked with my thousands. Right.
Tiberius

October 21st, 2005 at 21:09
3

Technology is a good step for africa I think,

Introduce cheap windows and then the kids will grow up learning how to use them like we did.

Then they will take on more advanced jobs, and bring more wealth into the country.

More wealth will in general help towards most of the situations.
Lucas

October 25th, 2005 at 07:37
4

They don’t need free software. The use free software. What they really don’t need is paid software. Africa is a poor continent, with very high social differences.
They can’t afford paying hugh expensive license if computers doesn’t make that difference for their develop and also because they can have it for free.

Africa countries should really worry with their people situation, not with spending their precious “lack” of money.

MS should worry to give them free PC eqquiped with they Windows, not to charge for it. It’s like trying to sell water in a country full of it. People just won’t buy.