Coals to Newcastle?

[valis <valis@xxxxxxxxxx>]

=====> Wow, is this our fulsome Billy's idea of philanthropy:
       donating software and instruction to one of the world's richest
       and most technically proficient societies?
       Do we hear it for Vietnam or Nicaragua, or any of the other lands
       the Pentagon's 7-league boots have plowed?!  And where are Swiss
       authorities and businesspeople at in even promoting such a caper?
       Have I overlooked something?
                                                                   valis

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                 Microsoft to donate software to Swiss schools
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      Copyright © 1997 Nando.net
      Copyright © 1997 Reuters

   http://www.nando.net) - Microsoft Corp. will donate software to help
   Swiss schools link to the Internet on thousands of personal computers
   that state administrators no longer need, officials said Thursday.

   Microsoft's Bill Gates and Swiss Finance Minister Kaspar Villiger
   announced the deal, which they said underscored the global computer
   network's importance for education.

   The scheme aims to put around 2,500 personal computers (PCs) equipped
   with Microsoft operating software and Internet browsers in schools
   within the next four to five years. Microsoft will also train around
   600 teachers in how to use the PCs.

   In remarks prepared for delivery at a joint appearance with Gates,
   Villiger acknowledged Gates's and Microsoft's vision in recognizing
   the potential offered by the Internet. But he also said that Swiss
   needed to be mindful of the importance of market competition.

   The Swiss cabinet is aware of the Internet's importance for the Swiss
   economy and society, he said.

   "But in the name of pluralism and out of a conviction that competition
   is the best motor for innovation and represents the best long-term
   growth, it is important for it (the cabinet) to work together with all
   suppliers equally," he added.
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    Copyright © 1997 Nando.net