"[Microsoft] are willing to lose money for years and years just to make sure that you don't make any money, either."

--Bob Cringely

One of the most FOSS-friendly countries in the world, where Firefox boasts a market share of almost 50%, has just heard about a little visit involving Mr. Gates himself. As I've argued for about a year, his retirement will involve a great deal of lobbying, which makes it not truly a retirement per se but more of a role change. The money stored in his foundation isn't always spent the way you would expect it, either [1, 2].

What you are about to read isn't shocking. We have already seen some examples in South America (covered earlier this week) and we saw Microsoft pulling some similar stunts in Europe. We also saw Linux 'protection' deals getting used to put Microsoft Live services right there (by default) on the Linux desktop (e.g. Turbolinux).

A visitor of this site, who goes by the name "Finland Calling", has just dropped us a helpful tip.

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Anyways, here’s the latest from our nordic corner of the world.

[...]

Quick translation of the text from “The Finnish News Agency” aka STT going rounds in web already and being published in all of the major and also most of the minor newspapers tomorrow. (Friday)

“Microsoft told about the new collaboration on Thursday in Seattle.”In the meeting between prime minister of Finland Matti Vanhanen and Bill Gates, the software giant Microsoft promised to donate tailored tools for Finnish schools. Microsoft will offer Finnish basic education and general upper secondary schools and their students free Windows live services selection. It includes f.ex Hotmail, electronic timetable, discussion forum and a bulletin board. Microsoft told about the new collaboration on Thursday in Seattle. It is the first project for both basic- and secondary schools. It can also be used in Finnish vocational, polytechnic and university schools. “This project supports very well the development of Finnish information society also in educational system and corresponds well with our aims in information society”, Vanhanen praised Microsoft.

http://yle.fi/news/id79777.html has some background about his visit to the US.

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Given what we have seen in France and other parts of Europe (more recently in Greece), there are many reasons to become highly suspicious. If you are not familiar with the background to this, you are strongly encouraged to follow the links and study the systematic manipulation, arm-bending, and even blackmail.

The sort of dumping techniques described above are reminiscent of Microsoft's actions in China as well as plans for Russia. It is a whack-and-mole game where Microsoft identifies countries that strengthen the presence of Free software and then puts shackles on them, with the 'kind' assistance of diplomats.

Thank you again, "Finland Calling", for this translation. Your previous report, among several others on (arguably unacceptable) OOXML-related misconduct in Finland was read by thousands -- particularly people from Finland. ⬆

Related articles:

Published just 3 days ago: Microsoft trained 200,000 teachers in India

The moves by Microsoft to offer free or subsidized software in India have however come in for criticism from the Free Software Foundation, which compared Microsoft's philanthropy to that of a cigarette manufacturer handing out free samples of cigarettes to students.

Welcome to college, here's your Windows Live account

Microsoft, in an attempt to spread the word about Windows Live, has struck a deal with 72 colleges all across the world. And what is this said deal? The colleges have agreed to let Microsoft host their students' e-mail accounts.

Microsoft plans innovative new school in Knowsley says Bill Gates

Tailored to meet local community needs, the Innovative Schools will be rolled out in 12 locations around the world including United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Qatar, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Hong Kong.

Microsoft's innovative Schools initiative works with governments, teachers and partners around the world to modernise schools to meet the challenges of 21st Century learning. The initiative was initially used to develop the Philadelphia School of the Future, opened in the United States September last year.

The Philadelphia Experiment: Microsoft-Designed School Opens

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has famously called high schools "obsolete" and warned about their effect on U.S. competitiveness. Now, his company has a chance to prove that it can help fix the woes of public education.

“They’ll get sort of addicted, and then we’ll somehow figure out how to collect sometime in the next decade.”

--Bill Gates

"Bill Gates looks at everything as something that should be his. He acts in any way he can to make it his. It can be an idea, market share, or a contract. There is not an ounce of conscientiousness or compassion in him. The notion of fairness means nothing to him. The only thing he understands is leverage."

--Philippe Kahn