"Nextel is donating 3,000 walkie-talkie phones to first responders to aid in the recovery effort."

Um the company is called Sprint!

Who cares how much people donate as long as they donate something. I can't go down there but I still donated a few dollars (poor college student). Stop with the:

"OMG M$ only donat3d th1s much???!?!?!?"

Instead of disputing how much people donated how about we help out in any way possible?

Every step taken is another step closer to the solution.

Well clockworks, I think its great to know who is donating what. This will help me choose which company to do business with.

I am EXCEEDINGLY appreciative that you said that.

This is tangential to the topic of value I posted about in a lower part of this topic.

While I'm absolutely opposed to concept of implying or demanding obligations on other people's rightfully owned property, I wholeheartedly agree with the practice of people supporting and doing business with those companies that share their values.

If a person truly wants to change the behavior of a business, this is the way to accomplish that change.

Think Comcast's "$10 million in advertising space" is actually worth anything? Think again. They're just going to use unsold time that would've made nothing in the first place or replace their own ads they show to customers that already have their service that has little value.

How much are they really contributing? Think stingy. Real stingy. $50K. Yep, they're contributing less than even one of their cable installers would make. In the other news, USPS is donating $500,000.

How much have you donated?

I agree Comcast should of said they are donating 50k in ad space. They are just trying to make them selves look good.

Are you agreeing with my question (??) or the statement above my question?

Where is google? Stop hiring other company's employee. Do something here. Where are MS haters and google lovers... suckers

I am certainly not disputing what has greater priority in the lives of people that have beed dispossessed by this disaster. My family has done its best accommodating some of these folks and I have done and donate all I could. This is not the question if Microsoft allows more than 90 million xp operating systems to be legalized in Indonesia for one dollar each

I am from New Orleans, I lost everything and my Grandmother who lives in Biloxi, Mississippi she lost everything.

Despite my opinions of any company, (I hope everyone would agree in saying this) any assistance anyone can offer to help out my friends , family, community would be appreciated. I have to say I do not often agree with Microsoft's strategies however, it is clearly isn't about if you or I do not agree. People's lives have been taken away, as a city as well the cities along the gulf coast largly all of Biloxi we have lost our homes. It has been the only thing I have ever known.

I urge you to please find it within yourselves to remember this is only a kind gesture from someone who doesn't have to even concern themselves and shouldn't be mocked by the public.

I find comfort in the thought of above where my house once was, there is someone sitting on I-10 and they can at least eat tonight because of the kind donations and support from everyone included in this article.

kite.

Come on, Bill: put up your estate-- it is bigger than the superdome... If Melinda complains, just slap the bia***.

With some here it is never good uh? Didn;t you learn something on school? Right knowledge maybe yes but let's talk about wisdome...

Now one of the reasons MS and Mr. Gates is so big because they are giving away, giving away means you get things back to you. That's a rule from other nature and the universe.

Good they gave 1 million in cash, even 100.000 or less would be great. It is not about hown much you give but give. If we all would donate world wide 25 cents a day to people living in poverty not one would have to die from hunger.

MS is number one on the ranking list in donating money to many many projects and luckely al MS users having a part in that by buying their products.

Microsoft's donation should be seen as a start. Given Bill Gates record of public giving, I suspect that we'll see many, many millions more to come.

I guess RationalCop is right if he means companies have no legal obligation to give, but I like to think that both individuals and companies blessed with prosperity have an obligation to their communities to lend a hand at times like these. That's what's made America great, and is reflecting the greatness of its people today.

Maybe we all need to judge less, and dig a little deeper, and give more.

Bill Gates wasn't "blessed" with anything. He worked hard, had vision and was innovative. He identified a market, took opportunity and was successful. Try as you may to attribute that to some supernatural force, it simply isn't true.

I'm a little confused here...here let me straighten things up...

"That was non sequitur to his comment".

Or maybe you just replied to the wrong comment...:)

EDIT: I do agree with your post (second time now...something must be wrong here) but his post and your post seem like they came from different worlds...

He stated that he "likes to think individuals an companies are blessed with prosperity". This thread is about MS (and Bill Gates) giving money.

Those are the comments that make my comments relevant.

It is comments like "blessed" and "fortunate" that people use to disassociate success from hard work, and people from the fruits of their labor.

ahh I missed the part where he said that...so, sorry, carry on. :)

Hey RC, let's take a step back and see what I actually meant. I wasn't denying hard work, and I wasn't making a metaphysical statement. I used the word "bless" in the secular sense that many people use it today. Your point about hard work is valid; however, not everyone who works hard is fortunate enough to have success in business.

I suspect (not that I am a mind reader) that Bill Gates would be the first to say companies and individuals have an obligation to help out. And his money is where his mouth is. When a Toronto cop in charge of the child abuse unit was frustrated because there wasn't software to do what was necessary to track kids and perps, he emailed Bill Gates. The person who decides what Gates reads passed it on to him. The next thing you know, MS is developing the software and providing all kinds of support at no cost.

Please define the terms "blessed" and "fortunate" in the context you use it? And hard-working was only one quality I mentioned as well. In your opinion, what causes the hard work of one person to be fruitful, and the hard work of another person to fail? I request that you don't use vague meaningless terms like "prosperity" "fortune", "luck", "blessed", etc.

What, in your opinion, gives one person (or any number of other persons) any rightful claim, legal or moral, over the rightfully earned property of another person or persons?

When you talk obligation, that is exactly what you are saying. Once you lay claim to someone else's rightful property, you are denying them their rights, not just legal rights, but moral rights as well. You are saying that their property isn't actually theirs, and they have no moral or legal right to retain it, however much it is. This in turn means any person who is poorer than the next guy has some "right" to claim the at least some of property of the richer guy. Things continue to digress after that.

I couldn't care less what Bill Gates has to say about the obligations of other people or companies, if in fact your admitted speculation is accurate. I only recognize his right to speak for his own property.

While your opinion appears to be that sacrifice is what makes/made this country great, and I welcome correction if I'm in error, I think that voluntary trade to mutual benefit is what has made/makes it great. Additionally, the innovation of particular individuals who sought to achieve their values has also contributed. What has made this country great is diversified interests, abilities, and productivity. Since I lack some or all of the skills, abilities and interests of the next guy, and he lacks mine, we can both contribute to each other for mutual gain. That is what causes prosperity.

When one person gives something of value to another, and fails to receive value in return, then this is not prosperity, this is not beneficial mutual trade. And it's not what one person or society finds to be valuable, it's what the parties involved in the trade find to be valuable and mutually agreeable whether it's money, goods, services, or otherwise. Value is not something universally or intrinsically the same for all people.

As a sidenote, I don't have that much of a problem with people looting (whether for necessary goods or otherwise) DURING an emergency situation as long as they are not using force or endangering others, and so long as they honestly and earnestly attempt to compensate those they stole from when the emergency situation no longer exists. Failing that, they are thieves, regardless of their level of need.

RationalCop, I agree with your take on looting, except on the part for reimbursing in those cases where the business is protected by insurance.

For whatever reason, some people are successful and others are not even though they have worked equally hard. Call it luck, good fortune, them's the breaks, or George, I couldn't care less. I think the meaning was pretty clear for most people. If this was an MBA course and we were doing research, we could attempt to identify and analyse the variables that constitute what we often, for want of a better term, call luck.

But this isn't an MBA class, and as I say, I think the meaning was fairly clear.

And I stand by what I said about in situations such as the one in New Orleans, we all have an obligation to do what we can to help out. Obviously I am not talking about a legal obligation, and I think it is a red herring to go down that track. I am talking about and ethical and moral obligation.

And that's the problem, people don't care to learn what makes one person successful, and another person unsuccessful. It's too much work, too much thinking.

Your argument consists of "people have a moral obligation to sacrifice for others 'less fortunate' ". That's a statement, not an argument. And when I said "obligation", I referred to all forms of obligations, not simply legal ones. That is clearly stated in the above post you responded to so don't try to bring false accusations of me using logical fallacies into the picture just because you can't actually support your position, or better yet, you can't be bothered to support your position because it takes too much thinking.

NO obligation exists, legal, moral, or ethical, for one person to sacrifice his/her property just because of another person's need, regardless of how dire. You certainly WILL NOT impose your sense of moral obligations and values on me in your use of the term "we".

I hope it want have bugs similar to found in MS products!!

It's sad to see the shameless leech-like and parasitic nature of some folks. It disheartens me to see the most productive folks in the world become public punching bags by looters who have in no way contributed nearly as much to the welfare of others, even the country, and possibly the world.

MS gives a million dollars to the relief effort, and then some folks complain that that's not enough. MS had no obligation to give anything at all. It's immaterial how much they have, it's their property, they have a right to use it in a manner they see fit. Poor people or even people in need have NO rightful claim to the property of others other than what is given in charity.

This may be the one and only time we actually agree...I wish I could form an argument and a bunch of insults but when I agree I agree...:)

Hear! Hear!

Wow that SUCKS only 1 million?? That’s it? I'm sure Microsoft made 10's of millions on all the windows software that the city and its people used. Nicolas Cage donated that much alone! God this makes me so angry. I'm giving more than I can afford cant Scrooge-so-soft, over extend them selves?? That equipment is useless as most of the emergency communications is already there. I dont know... just seems so little from such a huge money maker.

I believe that Microsoft should go further in their assistance to victims. That is it should provide free of charge sofware that was lost by all the victims in the disaster. This will greatly assist the victims in starting to recover their lives. This could be done right now in the places where the victims are accommodated. Furthermore, this will provide conditions for healing as well. That is because their minds are once again entertained.

While I have to agree that donating software would be a great idea and would be generous, I have to point out that in times like this people are probably less interested in their computers and more interested in how they're going to provide for their families and rebuild their houses. Like I said though, it would indeed be great idea to donate software, especially to places that have restored access to the internet.

Free software for what? Their computers are gone dude. Get a grip... These people don't need free software to rebuild their lives. They need money to buy food, provide shelter, etc.

Great Job Microsoft!

Thanks!

Well it is obvious that Ed likes to throw around the Microsoft name. How pathetic.... Microsoft.... one of the most profitable corporations on the planet really had to dig deep into the coffers to find 1 million in cash. That is insulting. No one wants Bill's blood money anyways.

Then again... Bill has no shame... and he probably does not care that Wal-Mart donated 15 million the day after the storm.

and how much have you donated? Your a clown!

dave you're an idiot. Any help from anyone is GREATLY appreciated. Why don't you shut your mouth and donate some money too. Jacka$$.

You must have misread the parts about rebuilding IT infrastructure and so on, so let me copy/paste it here for you chief:

1. "loaning of three buses equipped with satellite systems to aid in emergency communications."

2. "Microsoft says it is working with state and local governments, as well as businesses and educational institutions, to repair damaged IT infrastructure."

3. "the company is assisting the Red Cross in developing a technology plan to ensure smooth communications between the organization's 240 relief centers."

4. "Employees of Microsoft are stepping up to the challenge as well, donating money to non-profit organizations ** with the company providing matching donations. **"

5. "Microsoft has additionally pledged ad space across its network of Web properties to encourage donations from its users to various non-profit relief organizations."

Get over yourself and find something else to complain about. And I'm guessing if your house along with all of your posessions were blown away by a hurricane or anything else for that matter you'd gladly take some of Bill Gates "blood money" for food, clothing and shelter. In fact, I'm guessing you'd take some of his "blood money" right now if he walked up to you and offered you a $100 bill.

I'd also wait to comment to see if the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation steps up like they usually do, and to see if when the schools are rebuilt Microsoft doesn't use some of their "blood money" to donate PCs and other technology to them. But that's just me...

Althrough it is good to see money being donated, it would be better not coming from the most greedy person on the planet.

Actually Bill is not the most greedy person on the planet...he is the MOST philanthropic person on the planet. Do some research and then come back and name me one other individual responsible for more philanthropy?

Althrough I have no idea what that word is, I know this. Anything Microsoft does is for money. They can't possible be lending this help out of the goodness of their hearts.

How dare you?! Could you possibly be any less intelligent?
How could it POSSIBLY be for the money if they are DONATING time and money to these areas and helping these people.
A philanthropist is someone who gives to humanity and helps people out OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF THEIR HEARTS. They expect no prize, no reward and especially not money. So why don't you use a dictionary the next time you plan to open your mouth. You'd keep your trap shut if something like this happened to you and someone came up to you offering you aid in any form. If they want to help people and give their money to those who need it, you won't have a damn thing to say about it.

Anyone but Microsoft

Well said!

People put their foot in their mouths and have no clue what Microsoft gives year after year literally 10's of millions of dollars to so many.

davewalden Your a poor excuse for a person to even imply that Microsoft isn't doing enough.

Just what have you done?

you're seriously pathetic....you're complaining that MS is donating a million dollars??? Are you $*&#$ kidding me??? Give me a break, they are DONATING, giving it away for absolutely nothing. On top of that they are offering TONS of help in rebuilding the NO infrastructure. How much have you donated??? $5??? How much has google donated?? -30k??

You have to still be somewhere prehighschool right? Go to NO, and tell those people how pathetic it is that MS is donating to them...tell them MS isn't doing enough. You wouldn't live to see Highschool.

First off, greed and donate do not belong even in the same sentence as well as context here. If Bill hadn't donated anything, you would have found fault in that. Perhaps your view of Gates and MS for that matter are a bit immature. I guess staying on topic and keeping your comments civil when dealing with sensitive issues like Katrina are beyond your means. Good luck to you in life pal!

I sure hope your mom and dad are proud of you, because WE SURE ARE!

By the way, you spelled Jason wrong!

Mr. Dobbins....

Are you really as naive as you sound in your reply to my post? All that spew that was posted about rebuilding IT infrastructure .... yada yada yada.... sounds good on paper... if you are truly in touch with reality... you will know it will not happen by the hand of Microsoft...

State and Federal programs will pick up this expense and Microsoft will steal the fame. As usual.

Mr. KSzostek,

I am sure I have done more than you have. First off, I have donated to two charities, I have given blood at a Red Cross Blood drive and I have assisted at a charity drive collecting essential items that are being shipped to the suvivers.

Next time you decide to engage your mouth... engage your brain first. That way you will not look like an ass.

You know, I try so hard not to result to insults, but you are an idiot! I wish people like yourself(complainers) would just crawl back under the pile of sh**T you came from.

It should not matter the amount at which you give, as long as you give. Because I give 1 dollar, does that make me less of man than the one that gives 2 or 5 or 1000? Give what you can, whether it be money, labor, or both. Have you done so, or are you also self-centered? It is not only the 1 million that he is offering, but the millions of dollars you will never see in products, man-power, resources, and energy. Perhaps you should use your brain - once before you die.

What about Wal-Mart and its sweat shops? Have you forgotten about them? What about the millions of mom-and-pop stores that were busted because of Wal-Mart; and then to have the Wal-Mart store leave the community high and dry.

Blood money? What blood money? Who did Bill kill? How many employees are in his organization? What kinds of benefits do these employees have? Get a grip you ignoramous! There have got to be better things you can think of these days then big bad MS.

Oh, and this makes you a better person in which to complain about others that have done so too. You have not even begun to scratch the surface to what either MS or Wally have done. So, with your logic(if any) you are crap too(we agree).

good to see the big corps helping out.

I'd like to salute Microsoft for the great things they're doing and their generous donations. To all you nay sayers Bill Gates should be the richest man in the world, but is not due to the fact that he has donated over 35% of his net worth.

Maybe a forbes article will silence you:
http://www.forbes.com/li...dw_0923philan_rl04.html

This article would be more noticeable at the top of this thread.

Thanks for the information.

MS has actually given over $9 million when you count everything...

http://www.microsoft.com...nship/giving/relief.asp