Putting money where it counts…

Microsoft announced their Elevate America campaign a couple days ago.

My first thought was “great, more people getting skills for jobs that aren’t in this country anymore.” and “yeah, but it’s all proprietary Microsoft technology, we’re going to assimilate you into the borg, yadda, yadda, yadda”

Then I thought about all of the freely available knowledge already out there that MSDN and Technet.  I’ve got to give kudos to Microsoft for actually putting money behind getting people that may have lost their job, a way to gain some valuable skills, regardless if it’s Microsoft focused or not.

There isn’t a vendor out there that gives you as much for free.   It’s knowledge for the taking. It’s very, dare I say, open source like of Microsoft.  Its open education.  

Of course, it’s all in an effort to get you to implement Microsoft solutions when the time comes, so this isn’t totally in the true spirit of giving.  However in a time when more and more jobs are outsourced out of the country,  and many of our dollars are going to build economies elsewhere, putting a focus back on our own back yard is certainly a welcome approach on many fronts.  I applaud Microsoft’s efforts.