My take on that article is that Microsoft is offering classes to help
get Americans more computer-literate so they become more valuable in
today's down-turning job market. Many people do not have the skills (or
maybe just lack the confidence) to interview for jobs in which they feel
they may be under qualified. Going through a basic Microsoft class on
using the Internet or learning the basics of how to get around in
Microsoft Office may really help a lot of people get better jobs within
their own companies or find something else that pays more $$. The more
"Advanced" training noted in the article mentions Implementing and
Supporting Windows XP is something that even many lower-level
technicians could find useful. Like it or not, most technical jobs that
you can find require some knowledge of Microsoft products.
Most training classes that I've ever attended have full-featured
time-limited versions of the software. You can download many MS
products as trial versions directly from Microsoft. They'll stop
working after 30-, 60-, 90-days, but that gives you time to work with
them and learn what you want to know. If you need to use it again, you
may need to reinstall an OS and reload the trial. But MS Virtual PC is
useful for such testing (and is also free to download and use without
time-limitations). If you're going to a training class, you most likely
already have access to the software that you're learning about and
already have the proper licensing. If not, use the trials+VMs. Just
like any other product (MS, Linux, or practically anything), you can
learn all about it by using it yourself and searching the Internet.
Some people like instructor-led classes with someone that knows the
product and can answer their questions on the spot. Some people can
learn better on their own or with CBTs. Offering the classes for free
may give people more incentive to better themselves and not have to
shell out their own $$, which they may not have available to pay for on
their own. Many local CCs offer courses on Linux, and there are often
fees associated with them (sometimes not, but often there are).
> Now think of this...you want to setup Server 2008, Windows 7,
> Exchange,
> MSSQL...etc.
>
> Take total costs of licensing (let's say serious discount of
> $50/each)...that's $200.00.
>
> Multiply by 2,000,000 people...I just generated $400,000,000!
> Good marketing goes a long way.
Microsoft VirtualPC 2007 SP1 download:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=28C97D22-6EB8-4A09-A7F7-F6C7A1F000B5&displaylang=en
Cost: $0
Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta download:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/R2-Beta.aspx
30-day limit after install, can be extended to August 1, 2009 with
product code on the download page
Cost: $0
Exchange Server 2007 SP1 download:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/bb736128.aspx
120-day trial
Cost: $0
SQL Server 2008 download:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/bb851664.aspx
180-day trial
Cost: $0
Windows 7 Beta download:
Ok, the Win7 beta download isn't available from Microsoft any longer,
but you could probably find a torrent..:S
Cost: $0
On Mon, Feb 23, 2009 at 12:29 PM , Jason wrote:
> On Mon, 2009-02-23 at 09:59 -0700, James Finstrom wrote:
>> Microsoft plans to boost the(ir) economy by offering free tech
>> training to 2 million people over the next 2 years via training
>> centers and WBT. They wish to train (indoctrinate) 2 million people
>> to
>> bring up the "technical standings" in the US.
>> http://www.crn.com/it-channel/214502376
>>
>> What will be the Free Software response to this?
>>
>
> The free software response to this is that you don't have to pay a
> dime
> to learn how to use it. That is the very basis of the FOSS community.
> While MS will *teach* people, will they be providing all the necessary
> tools to teach with?
>
> For example, will MS give everybody a fully functional, non-expiring,
> full-featured application suite for every situation they will be
> teaching?
>
> Of is their goal to give the training (via CBT) for free while
> charging
> the people for the resources, at reduced pricing of course?
>
> Think of it this way...I am MS...I want to increase revenue. I already
> dumped my money into R&D...how do I recoup?
>
> I setup a training camp with tons of CBT's that I use internally for
> my
> people. Then I tell people I will give them those CBT's. However, in
> order to effectively use those CBT's, those people need to buy
> licenses.
>
> Now think of this...you want to setup Server 2008, Windows 7,
> Exchange,
> MSSQL...etc.
>
> Take total costs of licensing (let's say serious discount of
> $50/each)...that's $200.00.
>
> Multiply by 2,000,000 people...I just generated $400,000,000!
> Good marketing goes a long way.
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