Chavez: The revolution will be computerized
posted Oct 7th 2005 5:05PM
So apparently the Venezuelan government will partner with China's
Lang Chao International to produce low-cost PCs named after South American revolutionary Simon Bolivar for Venezuela's
domestic market. The government, according to President Hugo Chavez, will invest $6.26 million in the venture, and
expects to sell desktop PCs for as little as $350. No word on specs, though we hope for that price the boxes will
include an OS and a monitor, given that it's already possible to pick up a low-end, OS-free PC from a major brand like
Dell for a similar price (though, of course, establishing a domestic brand is at least as important to Chavez as low
prices). Chavez eventually plans to extend the Bolivar brand to laptops and cellphones as well. Viva!
keep in mind folks in Venezuela can fill their 18-gallon SUV gas tanks for less than US$3 . I wish Bush was crazy enough to convince his oil friends to sell gas cheap to us too..
as much as i hate the high prices, they're the only thing that's going to stop us from polluting ourselves out of existance. long live $5 a gallon.
Although this sounds like a very good idea, I can tell this is just another scam from this communist-socialist-cuban-wannabe goverment that will probably end up in:
1. The $6.26 million will magically "dissappear"
2. The product will be good only for reading the goverments news site and watching "Alo presidente"
I can go on and on all day thinking about ridiculous ways on how this could go wrong... it's just one more of Chavez ideas, that probably says it all.
$3 is nothing. it's pretty cheap.
$350 for a PC is about the average of how much they cost anyway. Tigerdirect / Newegg you can guarantee your self a really good pc for that price including a monitor.
yes my friends, this is another proof that communism works
cheap gasoline and computers for all, que viva la revolucion carajo!
Well, cheap gas and an even cheaper promise of cheap computers to come!
#5, LOL...go away man...you are a disgrace to Latin America with those comments
As a Venezuelan, I can tell you that this is really no good at all. Creating a government-owned computer company not only will put local computer companies out of business (design-it-yourself and build-it-yourself computer companies are extremely popular throughout Venezuela and are already very inexpensive), but will also drive international computer companies (HP, IBM, whatever's left of unofficial Mac representation, etc) out of the country because their prices would be too high. Also, if they plan to build the computers in CHINA, that will not create any new jobs for the Venezuelan people (something that is highly needed), and as a matter of fact, because of the local and international companies being put out of business, will create further unemployment in one of the few areas in commerce that are actually (and miraculously) growing since the tyrant came into power!
I would also wonder what kind of costumer support would be accompanying these computers. Surely, if it's going to be handled by the government, it will be a disaster. Not only that, but to whom will these computers be available. To the general public? Yeah, right. Only to his (Chavez's) closest followers, allies and friends. And to the general public, the prices will most likely be much higher than $350USD... not only that, but take into consideration that 350 american dollars, something along the ranks of 752,500 bolivares, and considering that a vast majority of Venezuelans live on 500,000 or (much) less bolivares a month, very, very, very few people would actually be able to afford one. For most poor people, paying 1500 bolivares (70 cents US), sometimes less, for one hour of computer use at one of the many popular internet centers all around the country is more than enough. I co-own an internet caf?n a popular mall in the eastern part of Caracas, and our most frequent costumers are actually the poor kids who bag groceries at the supermarket two floors below! But when asked could they afford a computer at home, even at 350 U$D, most said no way, and even some of them answered that they would not want one, as it would probably make him a target for theft or burglary!
As you can see, this is another careless and worthless move by this stupid government, which would only end up benefitting itself, and those directly involved, while the country and its people will (again) be left to suffer.
The day this guy dies, the world will become a better place. Period.
Although this sounds like a very good idea, I can tell this is just another scam from this communist-socialist-cuban-wannabe goverment that will probably end up in:
1. The $6.26 million will magically "dissappear"
2. The product will be good only for reading the goverments news site and watching "Alo presidente"
I can go on and on all day thinking about ridiculous ways on how this could go wrong... it's just one more of Chavez ideas, that probably says it all.
Well said Adrian.
For those of you still wondering about the gas price in Venezuela, it is about $0.03 USD per liter (around $0.128 USD per gallon)
We can afford the gas, but we cannot buy the vehicles. Talk about ironies!
PS. My previous comment got dupped, sorry 'bout that.
This is yet an other evidence of how much demagogic Ch?z is. If he really wanted to make cheap PCs for people that can’t afford it, he would have made a deal of buying a huge amount of cheap PCs without OS for a better price to a manufacturer (closer than china, Brazilian, Mexican or American) and then install an OS in his country.
I’ve seen posts like: “yeah they can fill a gas tank for 3$” I doubt this is the please to discuss how much they pay for oil, but if their government subsidize the price of gas, lucky them, we wish our governments do that.
And about the: “this is another proof that communism works”. First communism doesn’t work. Second, Venezuela is not a communist (neither socialist) country, despite how Ch?z wants it to be. Please absent from making comments without knowledge of the matter; I doubt that person really knows what does communism is or its philosophical bases.
Andr?
Madrid, Spain
I can't help but notice that nobody has commented on the core of this issue, which isn't whether the plan will work logistically, but that a government is actually interested in the technological education of it's people, and is looking to target low income folks for this education. When is the last time you saw the US government working in a substantial way to get computers in the hands of low income African Americans? Hell, it still costs $50 a month the get cable/dsl, since only 2 or 3 big cities (props to Newsum in SF) are willing to take on the Telcos for municipal wi-fi, something that should have existed for the last 5 years.
Funny thing is this comes out after the $100 Laptop announcement. This will not affect most of the PC builders in country because those who can afford the higher priced models will go for it. eMachines hasn't driven anyone out of business. Or even sub300.com. I think this will get PCs into the machines of the those who cannot afford one currently. Let's remember that it was Chinese Manufactering that bought the DVD prices down in the US from $140 plus to $35 bucks. Sure the features don't compare to the high end models but they are affordable.
You know what I find interesting in all these people calling Chavez a dicator is that he was voted in and immediately instated a law that half way through a president's term the people can have a re-election if they are disatisfied.
If you watch any of the documentaries, you can see that the people living in shacks are for Chavez and the people living in gated communities are against him. In the attempted coup of Chavez his opposition immediately disolved the different ministries and assumed control of them. Watching the Discovery-Times documentary shows that he has opened free clinics for pregnant women through-out the country. He has increased spending to education which surpasses any of the other countries in South America. During our gas hike week, he announced price cuts in the US for Citgo stations located in economically-challenged area. I verified this with www.gaspricewatch.com.
Let's compare this to the US. A President that was questionably elected twice. Places unqualified friends in power of US offices that are costing the lives of it's citizens. An war against a nation that never attacked us. Tax cuts for corporations. 75% of our debt is owned by the Asian superpowers. 3rd worst health care and elementary education of all the superpowers which is only because Mexico and Russia are considered Superpowers. Minimum wage is circumvented for rebuilding New Orleans. Senators use the excuse of saving tax money but they refuse to answer if Haliburton would get paid less. Displace 6000 citizens in Florida to build a resort using laws that were meant for building Highways and Waterworks etc...
Noooo, they are ruining a good name. The name of a great cigar.
http://www.cigarworld.com/bolivar/Bolivar.gif
No way, as a Venezuelan Living in Venezuela, I can say, Hugo Chavez is the most corrupt goverment on the Venezuela's history, all "good" things he does are mere propaganada, this new "project" doesn't whorry to the hundred of venezuelan custom computer builders, we have experience with every goverment proporsal, and this isn't an exception, those computers surely will be outdated, with poor quality, as they use, this "goverment" (really a dictature) sell "caraotas" (a bean) infected with insects to the poors, while our president expends 80Million$ on an A319ACJ (30MM over priced) having an B737 for his travels.
Chavez IS a P.O.S., just a the Fidel's "mini Me",ad a communist radical, despite his words, they're clear on their path.
i agree with 13 as a latino who visits and has spent significan time there. yes the rich there and theyre frineds oppose him. but this will give an opportunity for working people to also own a computer and build their economy instead of relying on dell, windows etc. im sure they'll implement a low interest program for this too givin his track record.
and yes his programs have helped the poor there that's why he's in charge after being voted there more than once. poor = majority. um he survved the cia backed coup,a bosses oil strike, and a us backed recall referendum so he's doing somethin right. look it up.
This could be a great idea if made correctly but it’s unlikely because of he is just a demagogic, as some else said. He says a lot of things that would be good if done well, and the people that believe him, think he is a good president (just for doing some “favors”, instead of implementing good politics or really improving the economy). Then people forget about that when we promises another thing (and the first doesn’t get done). He also is constantly appealing to gut feelings. And he uses the government as an organization for his personal crusade, for example he uses the Venezuelan oil and money to help his mentor, Castro, and helps insurgent movements in central and south America (like the FARC)
JiN: the problem with most documentaries is that they take the government announcements as true, without verifying the reality. The thing is that every project is "half done" so if Chavez says is going to do something at first look, it appears to be true but if you investigate you see mismanagement, corruption, terrible bad quality, or that they stop working on it when the public spotlight changes to another thing.
Chavez is not a Dictator, neither a truly democratic president, h is just a Castro "Wanna be" that is only supported by the core of his original group followers (that was very big), most of whom are fanatical and violent
#13... you have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
As I can see you are an American democrat, let me inform you, that just because Chavez opposes the US President (as you evidently do), doesn't mean YOU should rally behind him or his cause.
You should consider yourself VERY lucky to have been born and live in a country where freedom of speech, private property, freedom of politicial alliegance, and other such liberties that you take for granted, are respected. This is not the case of Venezuela, where the media (TV channels, newspapers, reporters...) are arrested, hassled, humiliated, stripped of their rights, just because of their political ideals. Lands belonging to families in rural parts of the country are being expropiated by the government and given to Chavistas, who do nothing other than damage and destroy.
Yes, Chavez has opened clinics in several poor areas and in slums. However, what the government-sponsored documentaries DON'T tell you is that these so-called clinics become human slaughter-houses in the hands of unprepared Cuban doctors and lack basic medicines and supplies needed to function correctly. Elsewhere in the country, the vast network of existing hospitals, which are the ones that should be getting the resources going into the slum-clinics, are ever more deteriorated, with old or damaged equipment, inadequate or insuffiecient facilities, and lacking medicines. The doctors and other hospital workers also get treated horribly by the government, as they are paid poorly and usually they have backed wages.
The "law" you say that allowed for the revocative referendum in Aug 04, is actually one of the most important and pushed-for articles in Chavez's own hastly-made Consitution. He himself wanted that to exist. Its been there since Dec 15, 1999.
Increased spending in education in numbers. Of course. He's spent 3000 million bolivares! The last government spent only 1000 million! The difference is that 3000 million bolivares in 2005 is just under 1.5 million US, and that 1000 million bolivares in 1998 was just under 1.5 million US. So, yes he has spent more in bolivares... three times as much as his predecesor, but in reality he has spent no more in US dollars than other Venezuelan presidents. Besides, who's to know how much of that money has really been allocated for education. Much of it has probably disappeared into bank accounts in his name and those of his closest allies and friends.
Minimum wage? In Venezuela? What a joke! Minimum wage is actually lower than the increasing cost of living in Venezuela. So, each time he "increases" it, its only to catch up to the cost of living.
Do most people of low resources root for Chavez. Yes. That's because ignorance and false promises have somehow kept them going. However, each time nature strikes (Dic 1999, Dic 2000, Early 2004), those same people find themselves asking "Where's the president and his help?".
Plus, not all people who live in "gated communities" oppose Chavez. Hundreds maybe even thousands who have gotten very rich because of the Chavez regime have now moved into the poshest of neighborhoods. Likewise, many people in the working middle class or even poor class do oppose Chavez. There many examples of either case, so please do not generalize.
If I were to live in the US, I would most likely favor the Democratic Party, as I strongly oppose Bush and how his government has handled the war against terrorism (which, I agree with you, has nothing to do with Iraq). As well as I agree with many of its basic principles.
However, don't be so blind as to believe in what you see on the SURFACE by watching documentaries on popular media. Just like the war in Iraq, many things in Venezuela look good from the surface, but if you look under the surface, you see some pretty nasty stuff.
So please, especially when posting your opinion on such a delicate issue on which you don't know much about, other than what you saw in a government sponsored and biased documentary, be kind enough to study the issue further.
Thankyou.
Chavez is a dictator. People here cheering this idea on are foolish and/or deluded to think that this scumbag has any good motives for anything he does. He is a cynical, corrupt murderer, and don't believe anything that suggests otherwise.
Communist/fascist dictatorship sympathizers who talk this idea up as if it's some sort of example of a wonderful thing coming out of the warped socialism in Venezuela need their views countered as vehemently as possible.
And quite frankly I'm surprised that Engadget has swallowed this hook, line and sinker.
#19 - What are your thoughts on Caldera?
Suppression of the media? Wasn't that what the "Golpistas" Media Owners did to Chavez after they attempted the coup? They took down the State owned channel and then on the other 4 or 6 stations they were running Anti-Chavez diatribe. The Discovery-Times documentary was not created by the Venezulan Government. In fact it followed people on both sides of the "revocative referendum" and they did a followup after Chavez won and the people who ran against him was still alive and free.
Now I read that a couple of the people who attempted the coup have been arrested. (Except for the man who ran away to Florida) In any other country, the man and his family would have been executed.
As for the violent poor people. In both documentaries (the one you claim is created by the Government and the Discovery Times) they show the wealthly people protesting Chavez and nothing happens to them but when Carbona takes over you see cops beating on elderly people.
The introduction of out-dated (as one user commented) computer is still benefical for anyone who doesn't have one. These machines aren't meant to play Doom3. I wish it would be http://laptop.media.mit.edu/ but it should be enough for online access.
The statement about "vast network of existing hospitals" is something to laugh at when you state that money is going into the wrong hands. During the Pre-Chavez era, the hospitals were some of the most corrupt institution in that country. Ok second only to the oil industry. Sure these documentaries have painted a rosy picture but living in this government has shown me to read up on claims made by anyone especially anyone in Politics. You can control the media, keep distorting the facts and the people will be brainwashed but it's hard to re-write history. This is want owning a computer with network access will do. It will open up a constant flow of information that cannot be stopped. Think about it. China and Cuba fear the internet because it can topple their government. In the US, the Republicans fear it because it allowed the Democratics to surpass them in donations.
In the end, the "Golpistas" will never vote out Chavez so they will resort to constant coup attempts. They will get their oil industry friends (can that be someone in our government?) to support them in the media in other countries.
//....THIS JUST IN!! 700 club founder Pat Robinson was just seen on the roof of the distribution warehouse with a sniper rifle!
Ok, anyway....
Not that I claim to be some expert on foreign policy/government, but
wasn't their current president/dictator/whatever the current slur is, elected DEMOCRATICALLY?
Isn't that our global mission lately? To ensure that the people have some insignificant say in their government? (What would we do if the Iraqis -elected- Osama as president? THE HORROR!!!)
It seems strange that on a blog focusing on technology that so many people would come out and bash China and any countries that do business with them. They are WAY ahead of the US in terms of technology (see anyone else making their own DVD-like format standards/operating systems/processors??)
Would it break hearts if I were to mention that nearly everything sold at Walmart was produced by COMMUNIST hands? Wholesome American values my ass....The anthem of "Buy American" has turned into "Ohhh! a toaster for $7.84!! Screw America! I want low prices!"
#22 - I agree!
The "Support the Troops" magnets have replaced "Buy American" but these things are made in China!
Anyone who doubts any of this. Why did Home Depot receive a multi-million dollar tax cut for importing Chinese Ceiling Fans?
It seems to be that some folks here are blind with extremist views and hatricism. I would like to rationalize some few point:
1. Venezuela is rich in natural resources; however the mining industry does not contribute even 2% to their GDP and employment. So what is wrong by forcing those useless, inactive, speculative concessions that have gone no where in decades to become active and really contribute to the economy?
2. Venezuela HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONTROL ITS NATURAL RESOURCES for the best interest of the country. For those who may disagree I just want to ask them a question: ARE YOU SAYING ANYTHING AGAINST USA INVASION FOR CONTROLLING AND STEALING OTHER COUNTRIES OIL in the best interest of the USA? If you haven't then you are just a walking sombie repeating like eco.
3. TELESUR: global information is controlled by few large corporations that do not give a shit for real news and real issues: GE owns MSNBC, Disney rat ABC, marrano Murdoch FOX? CNN, CBS ...They are only interested in COVERING UP and brainwashing. They covered up assesinations like JFK, Martin Luther King, 3 Democrat senators during Chimpy regime alone! they covered up for invasions like Panama, Granada, Iraq, Afghanistan, never mind 9-11; they cover up for financial scandals and criminal bankers e.g. ENRON, WORLDCOM, City Bank, Federal Reserve, Allan Greedscam
So fellows, Chavez could be not 100% right, but for f*ck sakes he is in the right truck!
PLEASE READ AND SEARCH FOR JOHN PERKIN book and videos: The Economic Hit Man! a most revealing inside story of USA foreing aid criminal policy; the story written by the man who moved BILLIONS OF DOLLAR to ransake countries!
Wake up and wise up folks!
Is easy to see lefties supporting Hugo Chavez (R.M. Stallman, Noam Chomsky are others), but no one said no word about the most corrupt goverment in venezuela's history (Chavez's goverment, or rule), to every one who doubt Chavez is a Dictator, must to know what our Tribunal Supremo (Supreme High Court) is ruled by a kidnapper, yes a Kidnaper, Mr Mora (our supreme court president) was on jail because this kidnap.
Is well know that one of the most closest supporter of Chavez (Mr. Tarek Willam Saab, an arabian descendient) receved found from the same people who funds Al-Qaeda operations the 9/11.
The people who said, this are computers for poors, mut to know that 80% of venezuelan poors also can't afford the 350$ pc, the can't afford also the cheap (and very low quality) food the goverment sells ont the "Mercal" (a state food store), here most people doesn't earn the half of the money that cost the most basic food.
The Bolivarian Revolution is a LIE, Lefties know, but they need the money who chavez sent him.
The world wold be a better and safer place if Chavez Dies.
Mr Mora was on jail due the William Niehaus Kidnap
Jose: you are full of historical errors and you make me wonder if you may be paid by the same group that support Bin Laden. HERE ARE FACTS:
1. Venezuela lived decades of DICTATORSHIPS by the ruling class; Marcos Perez Jimenez to name just one. As long as these bastards covered up for the ruling class is was democarcy! What a farse man!
2. It was the Venezuelan ruling class that governed Venezuela and did NOTHING FOR THE POORS OR THE COUNTRY IN OVER 150 YEARS of their governments. Now Venezuela is on world map!
3. Chavez won power BY ELECTORAL VOTES three times; by ontonomasie Chavez cannot be called a dictators unless like a frustrated social climber just said what he wants without any respect for the truth. Have self respect man!
4. The JIHAD was created by the USA in Afghanistan, with BinLaden as a financiers and link to CIA. BinLaden family and Bush family ARE BUSINESS ASSOCIATES IN CARLYLE the largest defense contractor and other oil businesses.
5. The Arabs donated over 500 millions through BinLaden and the USA government matched dollar for dollar i.e. USA FINANCED THE JIHAD NOW CALLED AL-QAIDA WITH MORE THAN 500 MILLIONS. So by extrapolation 9-11 was financed al least 50% by USA government. Bizarre but true!
6. 50,000 jihads were trained in the Afghans camps and from 50 different countries. This is why they found fanatics from USA, UK, and all over Europe. ALL TRAINED AND FINANCED BY USA CIA! BinLaden was not a military man just a financier and ideologue of fanatics!
7. You may to keep an eye on the marrano CISNEROS there as he rumored to be also up to no good; may be you are one of his stooges.
Jose you write like an histerical creature! Behave and rationalize. Humanity change, societies changes, your time for rulling Venezuela was used up or more precisely waisted. Get out and have a life! Come an live in the USA and you will enjoy democracy run by corporations.
I am a troll: sebhelyesfarku@freemail.hu
Mr "VIVA CHAVEZ", you're so obvious, you use terms "marrano", "democracy ruled by corporations", and many others leftie's stuff.
HUGO CHAVEZ is a dictator, is a fact, he doesn't admit disidence (the others opinion), he doesn't respect private property, and is a declarated anti-USA, he backed saddam hussein, he expend thousand of millions $$ in foreign phisicians (cubans) w/o consider local uneployed phisicians, is a traitor.
#27, you have no clue, the only thing you got right is that he was elected, and that's TWO times, in 1998 and 2000.
If you are a Venezuelan your simplistic knowledge of our history is of someone who is not even on “bachiderato” or is just entering it. That is for the venzuelan part.
The rest are facts taken out of time and placed together (or in the present), or plain confusion about things you only know the most basics, and apparently your imagination filled the blanks
As this administration (The peeRESIDENT select BUSHITLER administration) continues to rape our planet, raise gas prices, starve poor black people and Social Security recipients, cause Hurricanes to kill black people, drink blood from Hurricane victim's skull, and cause my erectile function---you would think that he would follow Mr. Chavez' noble pursuit in giving computers to everyone everywhere for free. When we once and for all ban Fox News (like in Canada) declare Christians, white men, and RepubliKKKans in Amerikkka racist retarded dittoheads who deserve to die a horrible painful death without dignity. We will then, as a society be able to usher in a utopia, a utopia were socialist dictatorships and the all knowing federal government will direct their citizens into the light of socialist leadership.
We will ban terrorism by not stirring up the bee's nest, but by helping the bees, if they sting us, we will blame ourselves since it is always Amerikkka's and Bush's fault for everything. As a society, as a people, and as individuals it is our right, no--our duty to steal from other' people's hard earned money, err, I mean tax and redistribute to the poorest people who will remain poor unless you give up some of your money for the government's ineffective bureaucratic social programs.
Viva la Socialismo!!!
Hugo Chavez was democratically elected... twice. Can you say that for US president George Bush (suspected of stealing the first election and now enjoys less than 30% approval rating)?
This is all smoke and mirrors folks. You cannot believe what the venezuelan regime says publicly or privately. The Venezuelan government is buying low-cost PCs from China to compete with the private sector that's all. They regime has the advantage of skirting the laws regariding import duties and sales taxes. There is no assembly in Venezuela and the PCs are shipping with Microsoft Windows OS. Wake up to reality folks...checkout www.venezuelatoday.net
one last comment. this venture affects the low-cost PC market which is comprised of entrepeneurs who import computer components and their resellers. This market is notorious for skirting import duties and not paying taxes as well. Some pressure can be expected on the brand names as well. The challenge for the regimes will be the service and support infrastructure which will probably be outsourced to a privat third-party company or companies. Success or failure will depend on this CSF and based on the regimes track record, they are too mediocre to be in the service business. This regime is full of contradictions folks. Regarding joint venture, I don't see one...Intel and Microsoft relationships have to be 51% on the Chinese manufacturer...I don't see a manufacturing J/V...makes no sense. Maybe a sales and distribution J/V. In the end, this is an unecessary project and just another example of how the mediocre this regime is that they do not respect rights and laws.