Ibexx & all, "Microsoft makes a pitch to foreign governments"
seattletimes.com
Posted at 06:23 a.m. PST; Tuesday, February 10, 1998
Microsoft has found at least 71 governments that are
happy to work with the Redmond software
powerhouse.
At a company-sponsored conference at the Westin
Hotel in Seattle through today, more than 300
international government delegates are meeting to
share ideas, talk software, and not coincidentally learn
how Microsoft products can aid their administrations.
In his opening address, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates
predicted that the U.S. Justice Department's
investigation of Microsoft's business practices "is not
going to be a major thing" and will not affect Windows
98 or Windows NT 5.0 development. Both products
are expected to be released later this year with built-in
Internet access and features.
"People can expect Microsoft in particular, but perhaps
more importantly the software industry, to continue to
add features that make software both more powerful
and easier to use," Gates said.
At the conference, called "Empowerment 2001,"
vendors are showing Microsoft and other software
products aimed at helping governments contact and
communicate with citizens via the Internet or
stand-alone kiosks in libraries, agencies and stores.
Software intended to smooth data and
communications exchanges among government
agencies also was being demonstrated.
Microsoft is still known largely for its desktop
software, but the company wants to spread the word
about its network servers to help governments install
e-mail, publishing, security and database software, said
Deborah Willingham, vice president of Microsoft's
enterprise customer unit.
Gates said the advent of the personal computer has
made it possible for governments to set up services in a
matter of weeks that previously took months or a year
or more to build. On a visit to Europe last week, he met
with European Community information officers who
are converting from 20 different varieties of Unix to
Windows NT workstations.
"It's improved their ability to exchange information"
and support numerous different languages throughout
the alliance, Gates said. Microsoft also is involved in a
pilot project involving six European cities that are
constructing Web sites to provide new services and
communications, Gates said.
At a question-and-answer session, Costa Rica
President Jose Maria Figueres Olsen was asked if
expenditures on technology by developing nations
usurped funds for physical infrastructure
improvements on water, sewer and other systems.
"The proper and adequate use of technology can make
the investments those countries need much more
cost-effective than if otherwise made," Figueres said.
"We can get a lot more bang for whatever our local
currency is if we use technology in an appropriate
way." |
