[OT] Cringely on BootCamp's future

[Bob Warren]

Francis Nugent Dixon wrote:

 >Hi from Paris,

Just a minor point about Brazil, apart from it being the most
fantastic country. Anything that is imported into Brazil costs
an arm and a leg, due to exhorbitant import taxes. The basic
idea is, Buy Brazilian (even when it doesn't exist).

I remember arriving in Brazil to do a 2 week course, with my
course supports, and (because I have had experience with
African countries) carrying 20 note pads, 20 rubbers - sorry
erasers !, 20 pens, etc. for my students, not forgetting the board
markers in many colours.

They were all confiscated, because I was told that "all these things
exist in Brazil, so go out and buy them". The customs even wanted
to confiscate 19 of my 20 course supports on the basis that Brazil
had photocopying machines !! BUSINESS LOGIC DON'T COUNT !!

Don't get me wrong, Brazil has more to offer than inconveniences,
and I love the place to bits ! It's just a way to promote local
industry.
...   but then the protectionist activities of  other countries aren't
bad either ........

----------------------------------------------
I'm shocked!
I humbly apologise on behalf of my adopted country.
It must have been because of the quantities involved, and they suspected 
that you really intended to sell them within Brazil before leaving.
Is it "just a way to promote local industry" really, or could it have 
been some kind of retaliation because of the protectionist practices of 
other countries? What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

I wouldn't know about importing stuff, because I haven't had the money 
to do it for quite a long time now.

Anyway, that gets us on to politics, so I'll now try to gracefully bow 
out of the discussion. The problem is that there is no such thing as a 
"technical, Revolution oriented topic". Everything is embedded.

Bob Warren