Computers Saving Africa - Microsoft's 4Afrika Initiative

     The continent of Africa accounts for 20% of Earth's total land area and has a little over one billion people living there. 

     As you know, it is also the poorest and least economically developed continent. The following picture is pretty telling: 

From: Wiki Commons

     Crazy amounts of money - in addition to basic necessities - have been dumped into Africa; about $50 billion annually, and over $1 trillion total over the last 60 years (yes, trillion). And, not surprisingly, this state of dependency on foreign aid, coupled with poor domestic government policies and rampant corruption has not had a positive impact. Read this WSJ article by Dambia Moyo, author of a book about this exact topic for more on that subject.

     In fact, poverty in sub-Saharan Africa has increased over the last 40 years.

     But now, the focus in Africa is beginning to shift from foreign aid to internal development. William Reno, political scientist at Northwestern has stated that the most economically successful countries in Africa are the ones that "do it their own way." Chinese companies have increasingly partnered with African countries and invested $1 billion in 2007.

From Microsoft's Facebook Page

     Microsoft is now displaying very forward thinking with their just-announced developmental initiative 4Afrika - because Microsoft knows as well as I do that poverty, illiteracy, and starvation can all be eliminated by butt-kicking computers.

     Microsoft is investing $75 billion for economic development in Africa, bringing business training to more than 200,000 African workers and taking 1 million African businesses online, among other things. They will be providing millions of smartphones and a specially designed, cheaper Windows Phone 8, Hauwei Ascend W, to boost internet accessibility.

A Windows-powered mini-computer? Isn't that a PC?   Yes, it is.

     Check out all the goals of this initiative at www.microsoft.com/africa/4afrika

     The significance of this event is best stated by Forbes writer Elise Knutsen, "Ultimately, meaningful development in Africa will come primarily through private sector investments and long-term projects like Microsoft’s, not corporate (or private) philanthropy."

     More computers and more internet access allow educated Africans to take their business further and help bring Africa out of poverty by the people's own strength. 

     Computers being used by Africans to eliminate poverty in Africa. 

     Computers - 2. Evil - 0. 

     

An Explanation of Computers vs. Evil

The real Supercomputer.

     Computers vs. Evil is, in my mind, a self-explanatory title for a personal brand that I am building. Since it is personal, let me first give you some background about myself and in that way you will better understand the purpose, intention, and style of said blog.

     My name is Zach Rhodes. This is my last semester at the University of Northern Iowa, where I majoring in marketing. Marketing, for those of you that do not know, is where it's at. Particularly if you're interested in business but also have a creative side and/or personality. If you like to count beans, I'd recommend accounting.

Yes, that is me. 

     I am engaged to be married to the love of my life - Ellen. This is the most important aspect of my existence and I live to make her happy. Happy Day After Valentine's Day, my love!

Ain't she cute?

     I currently work on the Windows UCrew as brand ambassador for the university, which primarily consists of demonstrating the new Windows 8 Operating System to students - 1200 demos over the course of the school year, in case you were wondering. It is a terrific gig; in addition to being paid, I am given very capable instruments in which to blow student minds with (metaphorically, of course). For example, I am typing this post on my HP Spectre XT running Windows 8 Pro and mousing with my Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse, all thanks to this blessed internship. The point I'm trying to make here is that I'm a bit of a geek. Correction, a very big geek.

Blogging action shot. Coffee is a must. 

     Being a geek, I have a natural love for all things computers, including but not limited to: personal computers, tablets (which really should be considered personal computers), smartphones, and all peripheral attachments.

     I have a strong passion for people and helping people in need. It is my belief, and truly a fact, that if everyone who is able would give generously, whether it be time or possessions or money, that all of the strife and sadness in this world would be eliminated.

     It is my passion for humanity and love for computers that I am combining here to create Computers vs. Evil, a personal brand focused on the positive impact of computers on society, and how computers, software, and the internet are being used to help people and improve society in a variety of ways; whether it is for education, health, efficiency, happiness, social, economical, or even more creative purposes.

     So if a blog devoted to creative ways computers are being used for good, then this is the blog for you. Thanks for reading and look forward to many future posts on computers absolutely destroying evil.

(Disclaimer: I realize this post, being my 2nd post, should probably have just been my first post; but as is life - chaotic and disordered - so is this blog.)

   

Skype - Bringing Military Families Closer than Ever

       Everyone, probably from cinema, is familiar with that classic romantic notion of a young, handsome soldier far overseas trading letters with his head-over-heels love interest back home, both of them patiently waiting months for the next reply - faithfully checking the mailbox each day.

Source: Yum Kippur War Thread

     As transportation advanced and mail became more logistical, the rate at which the respective significant other would receive the latest affectionate letter increased greatly, and then with the invention of the telephone - communication in real-time became possible for these geographically-separated couples. 

     With internet came e-mail, and while that has also drastically changed communication between our two lovers, the greatest tool at their disposal is now the videoconference. The hero and heroine of this narrative can now Skype. 

     Skype, having 663 million users globally in 2011, is the most widely recognized videoconference brand.  With Skype one can videoconference for free from one country to another, with just a computer, webcam, and high-speed internet access.

     The ability for the average person to hear, speak to, and see another person that is miles away from them is a truly incredible feat - a phenomenon that has never been possible for the entirety of history and all previous societies and people.

Photo taken by the U.S. Army

     Imagine how powerful that is to a military family, with a mom or dad overseas. Indeed, Skype is bringing these families closer, and allowing soldiers to participate in events back home from the other side of the world.

     There is some concern, mostly pertaining to whether such direct family contact can be distracting to a soldier that needs to stay focused, but you cannot help but feel good inside when a soldier gets to see his son's birth (and talk his wife through her contractions) in Iowa from the Middle East, real-time.

     Now, I do not entirely know how I feel about the Skype weddings - they are certainly unique - but do point out the scope of this young communication form.

     Computers everywhere are using Skype to bring the son to his father, the wife to her husband; allowing military families to be closer than ever.

     Computers - 1. Evil - 0.