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Story: Windows 'cheaper than Linux'

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As usual, the study doesn't report the cost- bias, most don't.

Their studies include the costs for training and time involved in learning Linux as a native Windows user. Increasing numbers have been learning Linux/Unix in the classroom and this training and time expense does not apply.

What many studies fail to report is the rising number of people who started their training in the Linux/Unix environment. Many countries are using Linux in the classroom as the first O.S. the children learn to use.

[What follows is personal commentary--probably off topic]
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This is not necessarily because they want to avoid "the evil empire" but because they are trying to build an knowledge-based economy. People who learn Linux/Unix first are going to find programming and software developement more intuitive. For these countries, it is the "fast-track" into a far more lucrative economy than one based on natural resources (like mining, lumber, agriculture, or even manufacture).

We are starting to see results now, but the real results will be seen within the next seven years or so.

Of course, as a person from the U.S., I see this as a looming finacial disaster--far greater than the loss of cheap oil or any other resource.

It will result in the eventual export of the entire U.S. economy, not just jobs. The U.S. economy is knowledge-based, yet many teachers are technology illiterate, as well as history illiterate, and illiterate in English--their supposed native language. One percent or less of the population is actually producing the wealth for the nation. Most all of the other endevors are effectively subsidized--it is believed that biotechnology will take the place of the computer oriented knowledge workers.

The irony is, of course, that this leaves even greater numbers of the population behind. While it is possible to retrain for computer science--I do not believe it is possible to re-educate an adult to be competent in the bio-sciences.

There is also the resistance to these sciences from an emotional context--the perception of the western world as "the great Satan" will be much more virulent with a focus on biotechnology. As far as holy wars go, "we ain't seen nothin' yet".

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