[twntaipan]

Interesting. Seems the significant Gates' philanthropy has its limits if it helps someone other than M$.

I wonder if Mr. Bill Gates has been to Africa? I figure with all that cash he probably has been there (he could probably buy all of Africa if he wanted).

This link talks about the development of computers in Africa for use in tropical climates. They too advocate diskless computing, not because it lowers cost, but because it is better suited to the climate.

[MrBlueSky2005]

What they need are the basics: e-mail, the web, word processing.

They do? I dunno, if I'm having that difficult of a time making ends meet, I sincerely doubt I need email, the web, and word processing. But, if it makes everyone feel good to know that everyone on earth is provided with a computer (at whos expense do you think?), then I guess we had better do it... /s

[KarinG1]

Sometimes it almost seems like every time I look up Microsoft is introducing new technology intended exclusively to prevent me from installing Windows on every computer I own from the same disk. It has taken me several minutes to bypass these safeguards on occasion. They should spend more time producing better software and less trying to hamstring the users.

[BlessedBeGod]

Even a US$100 machine would be too much for families to afford, but it's a relatively small sum that can be subsidized by local governments...

Ummmmmm, no.