Summary: An overview of moves carried out by Microsoft in order to restrict use of non-Microsoft software in several "strategic" countries, age groups, and institutes

THERE IS nothing more absurd than a very abusive corporation liaising with states. Well, maybe there are more absurd things out there, but when it comes to software, this ought to be a top issue. Are the companies states now? Are they unethically handed over an entire generation of young people to train them to become customers? This is a subject that this post will address with citations from the past 2.5 weeks.

Last month we showed how Microsoft had coerced the state of Michigan. The "American EDGI" routine [1, 2] just carries on over there, with reports like this one still appearing.

Microsoft’s Elevate America is providing 1 million vouchers nationwide for free basic e-learning training and some Microsoft Certification exams.

This is ridiculous. Microsoft tries to characterise this as some sort of "donation" or goodwill. Watch how Microsoft employees are pushing their own "articles" into the Michigan press. Just a couple of hours ago we showed how the Gates family too was 'planting' self-serving stories (and controlling the education system). If people's trust in the mainstream press is degrading, this is why. It's just not being run by independent reporters anymore; it relies on funding sources and it occasionally pushes particular party lines.

"The Importance of Microsoft Certification Training to Your Career" seems like another new advertisement disguised as an article. It says:

Look for the Microsoft Certification courses that could open several job opportunities for you. Learning innovative skills and enhancing your current skill-sets will take you way higher within your career. As a matter of fact there are lots of IT training companies offering Microsoft certified training programs for corporate employees.

The world is moving beyond Microsoft. Recent surveys showed that demand for GNU/Linux skills is soaring, whereas it is diving for Windows.

This brings us to the next state: Kentucky.

Earlier this month we explained and showed what Microsoft was doing there. It's similar to what Microsoft is doing in Michigan, but what makes it a brow-raising affair is that the state is actively supporting this land grab by a convicted monopoly abuser.

Local education and economic development officials are preaching the value of a new partnership between the Microsoft Corporation and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Microsoft’s Elevate America program was launched in Kentucky by Gov. Steve Beshear late last month.

Other recent stories about "American EDGI" neglect to say anything negative about what Microsoft is doing. Perhaps the PR offensive was just too damn effective; it's inconceivable to reporters that something unjust is going on here and maybe they just dare not say so in public.

Anyway, here is another new PR offensive where Microsoft pretends to like black people, even after blunders like this one (Poland racism). PR stunts like this one are reminiscent of "Imagine Cuffs" (Imagine Cup).

Last Friday I was invited to my local Microsoft campus here in Charlotte for Minority Student Day. The event, which is in its’ 8th year, is hosted by Blacks @ Microsoft.

Microsoft's friends at HSBC [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] are doing in Malta (frequent victim of Microsoft [1, 2, 3, 4]) some more of the dumping we're accustomed to seeing.

HSBC has joined the Microsoft BizSpark Programme as a network partner.

This seems like slightly old news, but Times of Malta only published this very recently.

Mentioned a while ago was the NSF relationship that Microsoft was trying to develop and now we find some belated reports on the subject, including some about the IEEE. The educational/academic systems too are something that Microsoft is trying to capture. Here is some more coverage [1, 2] which came after the press relase. Microsoft is trying to enslaves students who are affiliated with the IEEE and here is a clear criticism of it:

Microsoft, IEEE Join Hands To Create Truck Drivers

Microsoft has collaborated with IEEE to increase the number of students engaged in technical pursuits with the long-term benefit of strengthening business and society through the use of technology.

The later part of the 'goal' is a cover-up, the core part is through this deal Microsoft will be able to 'sell' IEEE student members its latest servers, development tools and eLearning — with 'privileged' access to more than 300 software titles as part of the MSDN Academic Alliance, a subscription service traditionally available only through educational institutions.

It's all about 'show me the money'.

The deal will also ensure work force for Microsoft as the press release says, "exposing science, technology, engineering and math students to job opportunities with Microsoft partners and customers through the Microsoft Students to Business program."

The Gulzar Institute of Engineering & Technology in Khanna is another area where Microsoft is trying to put young people in a pen. Notice the euphemisms:

To upgrade the skills of engineering students, especially in the field of information technology, Microsoft IT Academy made a presentation at the Gulzar Institute of Engineering & Technology in Khanna. As part of this programme, Microsoft will be providing training to students on various computer applications including programming skills.

Also from India: "Microsoft is corrupting DU [Delhi University] education," said one of our readers who shared this article from the news:

Tech-tonic shift in Delhi University

[...]

Microsoft Corporation India and Institute of Lifelong Learning (ILLL), this may ssoon be a reality.

Our reader Ryan sarcastically says that they "teach people to depend on Windows and Office. It's the Christian thing to do." For more information about Microsoft's dumping on India, see e.g. [1, 2]. We also have this Wiki page on EDGI.

Startups in India are also being dumped on so that they do not adopt Free software.

Microsoft's BizSpark programme, designed to catalyze the success of entrepreneurs by making Microsoft's end-to-end software solutions available to early-stage startup businesses, witnessed remarkable success in India with over 1000 startup companies joining the platform in the last one year. Building on the momentum, Microsoft India is now turning its focus to high potential startups with the launch of BizSpark One

Microsoft is moving workforce to India, so it's important for Microsoft to ensure that the country is a monoculture. Over in Sri Lanka too Microsoft is not only dumping but it also sends some troops to "wow participants". Over in Malaysia, where Microsoft's managing director decided to quit after the OOXML corruption, there is this attempt to fight back against increased adoption of Free software (and ODF, which accompanies the government's gradual migration to OpenOffice.org).

Lastly we shall deal with Microsoft in Jordan. Microsoft has been doing a lot of questionable things there recently and a "Fact Sheet" has just been posted for Microsoft Jordan, which is throwing money in order to suppress any movement away from Microsoft:

Microsoft will work hand-in-hand with the Government, educational and health entities as well as various private sector organizations to cater to the IT needs of schools, universities, hospitals, clinics and other related organizations and institutions.

Microsoft is clearly trying to control the public sector of Jordan (more than before). It is exploiting the government and invading zones that are not its own, such as educational institutions:

Microsoft Jordan is sponsoring 100 university graduates as part of a Graduate Internship and Employment Program that was launched in May 2009 by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MoICT), the Ministry of Labor (MoL), USAID’s Jordan Economic Development Program (SABEQ), and sector associations that include int@j and Jordan Computer Society. Microsoft Jordan is providing a number of free training courses that will help develop the IT skills of graduates hired under the Program and better prepare them for their careers in the IT industry.

The Government is helping graduates find suitable employment within the private sector, subsidizing 50% of each student’s salary during the first 12 months of their employment and 25% during the subsequent six months employment period. Every graduate hired under the Program also receives a two-week soft skills training course. Microsoft’s contribution to the Program will further expand the skills developed by the recruits.

"Recruits" is quite a word. That's how Microsoft views people. ⬆