Lack Of Internet Access Just Might Hinder Cuba's Software Ambitions
from the what's-in-those-cigars? dept
It's something of a pattern among communist countries that they pursue strength in certain industries with little regard for the likelihood of success. For example, they might try to build a domestic steel industry without access to the necessary iron ore. The latest example is that Fidel Castro wants to develop a "formidable software industry" (via Hit & Run) even though Cuba's inhabitants have little to no access to the internet. What's funny is that developing skills in IT isn't such a terrible idea for the nation; though it's easy to enforce an embargo on goods like cigars, it'd be much harder to shut out digital goods and services. But without access to what's going on online, there's little hope that the country could develop valuable skills in the area. Like everything else in Cuba, it looks like the Silicon Sugar Farm will have to wait until Castro's gone.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Great plans to get rich quick
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
obit
ok so cuba isn't russia, but lets face it if castro really wants to screw with the states... well open cubas doors to the net and given a somewhat whimsical disregard for such things as US law (which lets face *doesn't apply* in cuba) i can forsee a whole range of services e.g. music & film download sites, online gambling etc firing up there.
course this could well lead to an invasion, to 'protect the children' etc. but well at least this time the uk is a nice safe distance away. plus gdw prob knows where cuba is...
and tory blur don't.. ;-)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Do they really think they can do anything but make cigars?
Here's a tip, Fidel & Raul:
Focus on the stogies.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
besides they can import the hardware, just like pretty much everyone else. its what they could do with it thats interesting.
hell a few high speed connections, fire a stack of servers up. its not even like a huge number of the population would have to be involved if it was done to piss the good 'ole us of a off. bit harder if they want to actually get anywhere.
but don't laugh, don't under estimate them. who knows where the next breakthrough comes from. cuban cracks blu-ray or hd-dvd encryption... good luck extraditing them.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Don't Laugh Too Hard
Celebrities, athletes from other Western nations have had their pictures taken with Castro, e.g. Australian marathon swimmer Susie Maroney who swam two days in shark-infested waters to have a dinner with Castro, and is reported to have broken down in tears, calling Castro the "nicest man he ever met". What is to prevent Cubans from charming people like, say, Linus Torvalds by appealing to his anti-Americanism? The Cubans are very good at feeding off of inferiority complexes.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
yea right?!?!
Castro likes playing the role of the victim and blaming all the island's troubles on the US.
Why do people buy into his crap?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Cigars
Take it from me, I have been smoking quality cigars for 30 years. Although Cuban cigars are good cigars in general, and have a mystique in the U.S., due to the embargo, Cuban cigars have seriously been overtaken by other manufacturers in the past 15 years. they are no longer the worlds best, not even second place.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Close, but no cigar.
* for the war crimes they are guilty of under international law
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Don't write off Cuba, they're healthier than you f
A few decades ago, the world probably laughed at Cuba aiming for this goal. However they have pulled it off well and not only do they have an over abundance of doctors, they are also now under cutting the US drug companies by offering cheaper generic medicine to other '3rd world countries' and making a fortune in the process.
Unlike a capitalistic and consumer based society, this money goes back into the state, which in turns go back to the people, rather than the pockets of a few. We may laugh now, but they'll out live us and reap the benifits in a few decades.
Sure they may drive cars from the 50's and the buildings might all be falling apart. However Cuba's secret weapon is that it has real leadership which plans for the future. If they can build a software industry like they have their health system, most of you in the IT industry over in the states might want to start looking for a new job.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Don't write off Cuba, they're healthier than y
1. Walking distance for most people is as far as they can walk with out collapsing, or a huge packed bus (camello), or a stripped out truck, if they are lucky enough to catch one. They have so many doctors because those who have the ability to do it pretty much have to, and it pays slightly better than starvation wages, and plus, as you pointed out, it gives them the opportunity to leave the country.
2. Care is free because no one has any money to pay for it otherwise. Average life expectancy over 90? You might want to wipe those 'facts' off, because you definitely just pulled them from your bum.
3. The money goes back to the people? I really shouldn't even dignify this with a response, but the living conditions of the overwhelming majority of the people is absolutely terrible. Only those who have relatives in the US that are sending money back are doing better.
I love Cuba, I love the people, I love that little island, but its government is slowly destroying it. And when Fidel dies, watch for the revolution. Hasta la victoria siempre!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Don't write off Cuba, they're healthier than y
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Leave Cuba alone
[ link to this | view in chronology ]