Microsoft Awards Grants To Deliver Affordable Internet Access (cnet.com) 25
An anonymous reader quotes a report from CNET: Microsoft said Tuesday it had awarded grants to 12 businesses as part of the company's Affordable Access Initiative, part of the software giant's effort to encourage low-cost Internet around the world. Grant recipients include businesses from Argentina, Botswana, India, Indonesia, Malawi, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, Uganda, the UK and the US. In addition to financial support, each company will have access to Microsoft resources, software and services to help them develop their technology. "With more than half of the world's population lacking access to the Internet, connectivity is a global challenge that demands creative problem solving," Peggy Johnson, executive vice president of business development, said in a press release. "By using technology that's available now and partnering with local entrepreneurs who understand the needs of their communities, our hope is to create sustainable solutions that will not only have impact today but also in the years to come." Google and Facebook are also working on bringing affordable Internet access around the world. Google has plans to broadcast Internet from hot air balloons via Project Loon, while Facebook plans to beam Internet down to earth from drones.
..so they can force Windows 10 on more people (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
you can have more than "decently fast internet" and still get screwed over by windows 10.. by both the malware-like "upgrade" and the forced updates after -- because you're on a satellite or cellular data plan (that may be all available to you other than dialup) with a ridiculously small monthly data cap.. like our grandparents at their farm: it is a puny 5 gigabytes a month, which windows 10 can pretty much burn through in a day. their solution is to turn off updates *completely* (on their windows 8), and
Windows 7 (Score:2)
GRC's "Never 10" utility is small & free! (Score:1)
https://www.grc.com/never10.ht... [grc.com]
Share it with all of your friends on Windows 7/8 who don't want to be forced into a Windows 10 upgrade.
Re: (Score:2)
"You don't have to use Windows for anything" Except for running the majority of applications frequently used by individuals and companies every day. People don't run OS's they run applications.
"Oh I have to keep up to date for work" The updates are security and bug fixes. Issues all the non-MS OS's also have to deal with. The update mechanism is to make things easier for the non-technical users not the whiny bitches masquerading as software developers.
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"The only valid reason to use MS W are a few highly specialized apps used in science/engineering" And how did you arrive at this idiotic conclusion? Did you take a poll? Perform indepth studies to backup your conclusion? Maybe you have over 25 years of actual hands on experience in the IT world?
" no need for "security updates" for Internet" You really are clueless and what's worse is you probably think you are right and go out of your way to inflict your stupidity and ignorance on others.
wow! (Score:2)
Microsoft really wants to get EVERYONE to upgrade to Windows 10.
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Free Calls. Free Internet. For Ever.
I saw that movie. It didn't end well.
But seriously, infrastructure costs money. Bandwidth costs money. And things like extending wireless internet into subways is both costly and time-consuming. The Washington DC "Metro" subway has been working towards cell coverage throughout the system for nearly a decade. . . .and still isn't there yet (ONE provider has decent coverage inside most of the system, but unless you have a Verizon Phone. . . good luck.
Municipal Intern