[Updated] Is Microsoft
behind the software slaughter
in Central America?
Feb 11, 2000, 00:02 UTC (75 Talkbacks) (Other stories by Tom
Adelstein)
By Tom Adelstein
[UPDATE:]
Dateline February 10, Ilopango - The crisis in El Salvador can be
summed up in a few simple words from Mario Arriza - The penalties
begin with $1,200 and criminal charges. Many people are afraid.
Mario also says that Microsoft and the Business Software Alliance
are putting a lot of pressure to the people to buy licenses with TV
ads and newspapaer ads.
Mario asks for help with Cheap CDs, Advertisements and Email
support. He mentions his web site at linux.org.sv
Kent Nguyen says that he will be posting a web site at
www.nt2linux.com . Also, we're reactivating lcsrc.org and will link
sites together.
The later sites will need content and
may not be live for 24-48 hours.
Some people have commented that it is too late to help. But, it's not
too late. We have to act and act now. This story should be carried
by CNN, AP, Reuters and we need to start writing people. Some
recommendations include talk show hosts, Congress, magazines,
newsgroups, yahoo boards, Red Hat and other distributors and
whoever else you can think of.
Following is the letter received that alerted me to the situation:
Dear Sir.
I have been looking for Linux products on the Internet. They seem to
be a great solution for the needs that as a country we actually have.
Last year our Government approved a new law against piracy. El
Salvador has, shame on us, one of the higher rates for piracy in Latin
America.
The new law will take effect on February the 15th. Prison is offered
to those who violate the new law and also higher fines in cash will be
given.
I need you to help me because we do not have the financial capacity
to solve the license problems with the Microsoft software.
Can you send me some software to substitute applications such as:
Microsoft 2000, (Excel, Word, Access, etc), Front Page, Outlook,
Auto Cad?
Maybe you have the solutions for me and for thousands of PC users
around here. There are a lot of opportunities for you, not only here,
but also in Honduras and Nicaragua, because all of us are on the
same situation.
If you are able to send me something do it to the following address:
Name withheld for obvious reasons
Dateline - February 10, 2000 Central America - Business people in
Central American countries tell me they are fearful of a little known
deadline of February 15th. That's when, they say, computer users
have to ante up for the unauthorized use of Microsoft software
they've used without paying licensing fees.
The seriousness of the matter results from the penalties -- including
possible criminal charges they can expect when the software auditors
show up.
One must wonder if the government clamp downs come because of
pressure from a single company trying to squeeze every dollar it can
into it's revenue stream? And if that's correct, one must ask who
would benefit in an emerging country if Microsoft took licensing fees
out of their country? The next question one might ask is why now?
The strategy, however, may backfire bigtime. All those Windows 95,
98 and NT boxes with M$ Office on them can be replaced for free
by Linux and StarOffice. From there, business can keep going
without skipping a beat.
So what will the Open Source community do? How about a flood of
free distributions into the Latin American countries.
I ask Linux International to take a look at this. Here's the suggestion:
We need a central clearing site for each Central American
country affected.
We need to place advertisements in the newspapers in Central
America letting people know where they can get software and
help.
We need everyone to join together and offer phone support
for free to companies willing to make the switch.
When I say we have a deadline. Place the emphasis on the word
dead. Companies can be bankrupted in these communities. I say, not
on my watch.
What do you say? |
