Time and again Microsoft executives have tried to be nonchalant about Linux, telling the press that the more options there are for users, the better. Javier says his take goes back to user motivations. In schools and governments, Linux and open source are seen as something new to try; in the developers’ world, Linux has become like "a religion," while in the corporate world, Linux is being evaluated to see how it can really solve business issues.
"Our position about open source is very simple: we like it because it is something that allows the rest of the community to have more options. Some will end up using it and some will use commercial software as both have inherent advantages. It’s not a question of which is better or worse," Javier says.
Lately, however, Microsoft is also arguing the cost benefits of open source by saying that while the operating system is econo-mical to run, the other open source stacks for database, networks and applications may not necessarily be cheap.
"Users must consider the whole stack and know that there are companies that are really (pushing) commercial open source. They give you the product for free but they charge you for maintenance and upgrades. It’s just a total different go-to-market (strategy)... We want the users to realize the pros and cons of open source. At the end of the day open source will have a group of users and some will use commercial... there’s no big fight for it," Javier says.
While guarding its lion share of the market, the local Microsoft office is also doing its bit to be a good corporate citizen. For quite some time now, Microsoft has successfully launched various Connected Learning Centers (CLCs) in different regions of the country. The CLCs provide computer laboratories to deserving public high schools.
Microsoft also has a five-year, $1-billion commitment to Unlimited Potential, a global initiative focused on providing technology skills to underserved individuals. So far this program has benefited communities in Subic, Zambales and Clark, Pampanga, where Amerasian youth who are displaced, out-of-school and victims of discrimination, are given technology training.
Called Pag-Asa, the local initiative seeks to give Amerasian youth better employment opportunities. Pag-Asa is being implemented in cooperation with Learn.ph that works with two local non-governmental organizations at two project sites: People’s Recovery, Empowerment and Development Assistance Foundation Center near the Subic Freeport Zone, and the Manpower Skills and Training Center Don Bosco near the Clark Special Economic Zone. The Unlimited Potential grant provides these centers with Microsoft software, computers, Internet connection and training modules.
About 800 people will receive basic computer literacy training, while 30 will go on for more comprehensive training and certification.
A total of $153,000 in cash and software was granted to fund the Unlimited Potential sites in Subic and Clark. Microsoft has developed the program’s curriculum that emphasizes real-world technology applications.
Nearly $50 million in cash and software has been distributed since the program was initiated in May 2003. The recipients of this program span more than 45 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America.
In addition, Microsoft Philippines is also readying "Tulay" for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Also an Unlimited Potential initiative, Tulay is planned to be in three locations: in the local Overseas Workers Welfare Administration office here in the Philippines, in a non-government organization’s office for OFWs in Singapore, and in the Filipino Workers Resource Center in Malaysia.
In the first year, the three centers will train over 3,000 OFWs in basic computer literacy and advanced computing, says Mae Rivera, marketing communi-cations manager of Microsoft Philippines. She adds the training can be extended to the OFWs’ dependents in the country.