Microsoft is claiming its inability to assist the charity to provide refurbished computers to disadvantaged children comes down to copyright laws in Australia, which prohibit the issue of a -Refurbished License".
The Victorian Shadow Minister for Communications, Victor Perton, however, has quashed this claim, saying Microsoft as owners of the intellectual property, -can license it anyway they see fit."
-My understanding is that Microsoft already have a -refurbished license" program set up in the United Kingdom. It's not a matter of law that prevents them from permitting the [re-use of its software]," Perton said.
Bayes says, -the benefits of a refurbished license would see our program continue and also assist in addressing the massive amounts of redundant IT equipment that is and will continue to be deposited into our landfill."
The ongoing battle between Microsoft and PCs for Kids over software licenses has been brought to the attention of the Liberal Opposition Party in Victoria, which is calling on the Labor government to step in and solve the problem.
After hearing both sides of the argument, Perton says, -with Microsoft talking the language of a big global organisation and the charity talking the language of a small non-profit" an interpreter needs to be present to bridge this particular digital divide.
Perton told ZDNet that it's difficult to resolve whether the software giant is -handicapped" by international corporate policy, or if it has doubts about being able to keep an audit on the charity's donations.
Perton believes that if it is a question of keeping track of how many refurbished computers PCs for Kids is donating to charity, the state government should be able to assist in an inventory trail.
-I think it's unreasonable that Microsoft is refusing licenses for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. I wouldn't have thought it was hard for them to provide a master disc," Perton said.
-What troubles me greatly is this arrogant assertion that its old systems are not appropriate anymore,"
-It's a Pentium or nothing according to their charitable guidelines," Perton said.
About time
Except for Universities, Australian educational institutions are almost exclusively Microsoft only facilities.
Why are they not teaching other products?
There is plenty of open source software around which is as good as Microsofts products.
The important point to remember is that open source software is as good and in some instances better.
Some people say open source software is not suitable for the desktop, have they evaluated something like Linux-Mandrake 8.0?
Why do we have to pay for products we don't need which could be easily replaced with much more cost effective and reliable software?
Who is making these decisions?
People should start writing to their local member and ask them?
Write to the Minister for Education, the Director of Education and any other politition they know.