Monday, May 05, 2008

Historic Change: Cuba Ends Computer Ban


HAVANA (AP) -- Cubans are getting wired. The island's communist government put desktop computers on sale to the public for the first time Friday, ending a ban on PC sales as another despised restriction on daily life fell away under new President Raul Castro.

A tower-style QTECH PC and monitor costs nearly US$780 (505 euros). While few Cubans can afford that, dozens still gawked outside a tiny Havana electronics store, crowding every inch of its large glass windows and leaving finger and nose prints behind (see picture above).

Via Buyer Behaviour

8 Comments:

At 5/05/2008 11:51 AM, Blogger jmaize said...

Now all we need is to be able to book our "cigar tour" online!!

 
At 5/05/2008 12:35 PM, Blogger Shawn said...

"why do we have to be nice to them, we have the computers?"

 
At 5/05/2008 12:39 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whenever I read how some oppressive mandate has been lifted in Cuba, I immediately think of how the Leftists in the US are quick to visit Castro or wear a Che Guevara t-shirt and how astonishing it is that those individuals can rationalize their position. This thought I have does not even consider the labor camps, murders, and plundering that took place at the hands of Castro and Che during the “Revolution.”

 
At 5/05/2008 12:39 PM, Blogger David Damore said...

Now that computers are available. The market can [and will] find solutions to the high price part.

People will buy computers together [pooling of resources to share, pooling by choice, not force].

People will rent time from people who have computers and have times when they are not using them.

People will start businesses that cater to people who want to use [or try] computers.

Let freedom ring!

What are some of the other possibilities?


David

 
At 5/05/2008 2:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cubans get computers but, toasters are still banned.

Toasters? Yeah, they use too much elextric power. They would bring the whole Cuban grid to its knees.

 
At 5/05/2008 2:50 PM, Blogger juandos said...

Well I'm glad the folks might finally get their hands on computers...

The next question is, will they have some sort of net access?

Wait till they get an eyefull of online porn...

 
At 5/06/2008 12:03 AM, Blogger VH said...

"I immediately think of how the Leftists in the US are quick to visit Castro or wear a Che Guevara t-shirt and how astonishing it is that those individuals can rationalize their position."
Including those that believe that Cuban health care is to be admired and emulated.

 
At 5/06/2008 10:14 AM, Blogger Marko said...

This literally makes me cry. These people are so repressed, I am overjoyed that even a crack in the smothering oppression of the government has been opened. I pray that more will come.

Funny how all the so called "bleeding heart" liberals never seem to care about the oppression of people in Marxist totalitarian fascist governments. If it were up to me, we would go in there and fix things, right after Iraq and Iran settle down. Or maybe before.

 

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