Gates's library gifts arrive, but with Windows attached

Article Abstract:

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and wife Melinda donated $1.1 billion to the Gates Library Foundation which will help to finance public-access computer systems and Internet access for US public libraries. The assets of the foundation now total $1.3 billion and its goal is to wire all US public libraries by the year 2003. The foundation believes that public access to the Internet and computers will help to close the gaps between the disadvantaged and the well-off, who can afford PCs and Internet access in their homes. Most libraries welcome the donations and say they are free to purchase computers that do not run on Gates's Windows operating system. The librarians are provided with technical training but forego technical support from Microsoft if they buy any other computer setup than that provided by the foundation and Gateway 2000 Inc. So far, however, no libraries have bought non-Windows PCs. Skeptics feel that Gates's long-term strategy is to 'seed' the market with Windows computers, thereby guaranteeing future business for Microsoft when the systems need software and hardware upgrades.

Use of Funds, Systems Software Pkgs, Educational, religious, etc. trusts, Educational, Religious, Charitable Trusts, Grantmaking Foundations, Computer software industry, Software industry, Software, Finance, Microsoft Corp., Donations, Gates, Bill, MSFT, Charitable trusts, Public libraries, Gates Library Foundation

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Mac, Windows and now, Linux; this operating system is free and fast, and is moving out of its techie niche

Article Abstract:

Linux has gained an increased number of followers, but the OS remains more suitable for technologically-savvy users. Approximately seven million users worldwide operate Linux, according to industry projections, and the number is doubling annually. Many compare the growth in Linux's popularity to the Internet growth of the 1970s and 1980s, before the arrival of the World Wide Web. A community of Linux loyalists consider the free computing platform a challenging alternative to the dominant Windows or Macintosh offerings. Linux has begun to spread beyond its traditional sources consisting of ISPs, software developers, Web sites and universities. Large corporations and even home computers since around late 1997 are beginning to deploy the simpler Unix clone, which was developed in 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Users praise Linux for its power, speed, stability and open source code. A surge of new, compatible GUIs make Linux easier to use, but its drawbacks include a relative lack of both commercial applications and computer games.

Systems Software Pkgs (Micro), Operating system, Operating systems (Software), Operating systems, Design and construction, UNIX

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Do you know who's watching you? Do you care? While most people guard their privacy, everyone defines it differently

Article Abstract:

Thanks to more powerful, less expensive information technologies, businesses are developing more sophisticated ways of tracking who their customers are and the wheres, whens, and whats of their consumption. One example is the supermarket discount card. For 10% off their bill, customers have agreed to let the vendor keep records on their purchases. Supermarkets use it to tune their inventories and plan promotions. So far the government has left it up to businesses to let their customers know what they do with this customer data. Privacy advocates say the FTC or other agency should develop a code of fair information practices.

Government regulation, Advertising, Advertising and Related Services, Privacy issue, Privacy, Political aspects, Advertising services, Marketing industry, Privacy, Right of, Right of privacy

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