Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!wivax!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!cires!nbires!ut-ngp!werner From: werner@ut-ngp.UUCP Newsgroups: net.politics,net.misc Subject: RFC: Software as Foreign Aid ? Message-ID: <353@ut-ngp.UUCP> Date: Sun, 19-Jun-83 08:00:21 EDT Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.353 Posted: Sun Jun 19 08:00:21 1983 Date-Received: Mon, 20-Jun-83 09:29:26 EDT Lines: 36 Being a member of the fortunate few hundred millions of this planet, whose life of plenty, somehow (I am quite certain) is made possible by the less fortunate few billions, I catch my mind wandering off trying to come up with ideas to lessen the thoughts of uneasy guilt which interrupt my hard work or play. What follows is an oldie-but-goodie idea, about which I can't make up my mind; are there more arguments for than against? So here it is, your critical thoughts are invited: SOFTWARE AS FOREIGN AID The main problem of giving something to someone else is that I am left with less than before, and where do I draw the line to giving? Does this describe the reason, why there is no more AID to others, foreign and otherwise? So what could be better than giving something without being left with less than before? Yes, I put software in that category. Putting aside the argument of "lost profits" of a potential sale, giving software sounds like a sure-fire thing. The question is, of course, would/could it be useful? Yes, of course, some hardware must come with it, and some training, ah yes, and maintenance of hard/software, the most(?) important part for prolonged usefulness of such a package. Now, assuming that every banana republic (I do LIKE bananas and the people and countries growing them) is already getting hardware for "defensive" and other progress-inspiring purposes, I take the liberty to ignore all but the software aspect. Can we help generate some progress to make people happier, healthier, better fed, clothed, housed, and educated by giving them software? I keep my thoughts of pros and cons to myself (for the moment) to keep this message short and to give you a wide-open space for ideas. Also, let your comments guide the discussion to home either in net.misc or net.politics or net.followup -- personally, I have no preference and try to follow all three.