Netbook incentive
By rosdimy
@rosdimy (3926)
Malaysia
August 20, 2011 3:38am CST
In a drive to make the population to be aware of and use the Internet, the Malaysian government decided to give netbooks to qualified school children. So far thousands of netbooks have been distributed. One of my daughters is one of the recipients, with another one is in the waiting list.
Some say it is a political gimmick. I say people are not easily swayed when it comes to voting time. After all it benefits the children, and to a certain extent their immediate family members. In the end it will benefit the country when more people are computer literate.
The netbook is pre-installed with Windows 7 students edition. In this case the vendor and Microsoft are at an advantage.
I think it is a win-win situation for everyone involved. The recipients get Internet access, the vendors get the money, and the country gains an increase in the number of people using IT.
By the way there was a free laptop scheme for university students where the only requirement was for the students to open an account with the local ISP. The number of laptops for the scheme was limited.
7 responses
@QeeGood (1213)
• Sweden
20 Aug 11
WOW! That sounds very generous to give netbooks to school children.
As for giving university students laptops. I've never heard of it here in Sweden, that university students get any laptops. I've learnt to pay for my own required computer and student literature for college classes, as I am a university student.
I'm profoundly grateful that children get the opportunity to have the access to the recent high technology and educational posibilities!
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
21 Aug 11
Maybe your government has no budget to start a similar scheme, or assume that the Swedes are rich enough to buy their own computer.
Yes, it is good for the children. My children use one social site to discuss certain assignments with their friends.
With an additional computer in the house there is less pressure for the use of my desktop.
@QeeGood (1213)
• Sweden
22 Aug 11
There is a minority of Swedes who have high income. The income tax is 34% on ordinary income. Sweden probably administrate the money in other areas, as they are much for charity abroad. Supporting foreigners in the third world.
I, myself live in a one room rented apartment with my 11 years old daughter. I always look for used things and bargain sale or second hand to be able to purchase something.
@pankajgarg (797)
• India
20 Aug 11
Although it is done in the election time as you say, it will though help the country to be computer literate and i feel this to be a good move to create awareness and as far as microsoft windows is concerned there is no other OS which is so popular and i feel that the student edition will be free that is why it is chosen over linux especially ubuntu which here in india is distributed with the subsidized laptops made for poor children in india.
So if the government is distributing free laptops to children it is a good move and one should really appreciate that.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
21 Aug 11
The Windows OS has its advantages but it also has its disadvantages.
Even if Microsoft is selling the Student Edition at a heavily discounted price to the Government the Corporation still wins through an increase in the number of Windows users. They in turn would remain loyal to it. Imagine later on they hold decision-making positions in various organisations.
@pankajgarg (797)
• India
22 Aug 11
Apart from Microsoft windows, what other options do you think that the govt has?
It can give laptops with ubuntu or any other linux distribution but it will be difficult to learn so I think that it is a good option and also A very large share of laptops available in market run on Windows operating system and there is nothing against it.
@naokokensaku (529)
• Malaysia
20 Aug 11
While that is true, my question is who is monitoring your children's usage of the laptop. If it's you, and your spouse, then I think it's a good move, because it encourages your child to learn and be comfortable with computers. However, if no one is monitoring it, then I think this may be one of those gimmicks.
I'm curious though. What do you mean by qualified school children, and what exactly are the notebooks to be used for?
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
21 Aug 11
In general most of the students use the computer for educational and leisure purposes. Since the netbook is kept at home then it becomes the responsibility of parents to monitor their children.
School teachers give tasks to students which require them to use the Internet.
Qualification Parents total income of less than RM3,000(approx USD1,00) per month.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
21 Aug 11
No matter the scheme I guess if they are getting those items to those who would not have the opportunity to otherwise obtain them. Politicians as well as marketers are all full of gimmics the question is finding the right one to accomplish ones goals.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
22 Aug 11
The scheme is sponsored by the Government. If I am not mistaken the money is channelled through the Ministry of Education. More than one vendor have been chosen to supply the netbooks.
It is not a gimmick. There are already thousands of satisfied and happy recipients.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
21 Aug 11
It is awesome because the Government did not make an empty promise on this issue. Priority is given to the people.
I think a lot depends on the people in a government,whether they have they have the country and the people or personal interest(s) in their hearts.
@macedon88 (83)
• India
20 Aug 11
Hi rosdimy, I am from India-chennai. we are having the same scheme as this for the school students itself. It is a good idea to give laptop to students and make them aware of internet and resulting in IT boom in the region. As a computer engineer myself I know much it would be helpfull for the student.At my time it was a luxury stuff but now the government is giving it away for free.
@haopee (493)
• Philippines
20 Aug 11
I've heard of these in some of the colleges as well. I supposed it's a good gimmick and it will help children be more aware of the internet. The internet has been keeping people updated about news and information. This is the good side of internet usage.
But have you ever seen that CSI series where their laptops had a program which could feed the school video information of it's usage. The parents were unaware that the laptop had a GPS chip or a sim which transmitted even when they weren't in an area of coverage. I know that's a pretty long shot but it's definitely possible right?
Otherwise, I still believe it's a win win situation for your kids. Good for them.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
21 Aug 11
I would not call it a gimmick because it is real, and the benefits are real.
Personally I do not think that the Government is prepared to track the movements of its citizens. if they really want to do it there are other ways of doing it. I do realise that there are people who like to manipulate facts to discredit whatever the Government is doing.
Rather than spending too much time thinking of something which may be way off, why not we think of how we can benefit from this scheme like providing related services?
