Microsoft has just announced it will contribute millions of dollars to train students and teachers worldwide how to use its software. That means less exposure to Linux for our children and a continuing dependence on Windows XP and Vista.

OLPC News about how Microsoft duped, mistreated or exploited MIT Media Lab

Microsoft's change of tactics and marketing pitch is being noticed by more and more people

A person whom Microsoft employed to train shills (TEs) spills the beans on Microsoft; People who are responsible also named

Several months ago BECTA complained about OOXML, Windows Vista, and Microsoft Office 2007. It was not an issue of cost. This came after BECTA’s long and rather disturbing love affair with Microsoft. An accomplice claiming innocence?

Microsoft truly continues to amaze me. Over the years Microsoft has definitely been able to make my jaw drop at most of its brash business moves let alone some of its quarterly earnings. But Microsoft being Microsoft still continues to defy all logic because “hey they're just that rich”.

Oh, my. We're back to the good old days of Microsoft mythology. I had actually believed that Microsoft had grown up and wised up.

It's a threat Microsoft can't let stand: the entire third world learning Linux as children, and growing up to use it. And Microsoft is going to get its way. It comes after a sudden wave of SCO-like problems for the OLPC project. A specious patent lawsuit over keyboards. Board-member Intel thrown out of the project for attempting to convince national governments to drop OLPC purchases and go with its own (Windows) product. First, OLPC is shown what its problems will be if it doesn't cooperate with Microsoft. Then, Microsoft approaches with money and technical help - you just have to run Windows to get it.

Microsoft's handling of the Windows Update controversy is a good case study for how the company's public relations efforts work. The lessons are important for Microsoft customers and partners.