http://port25.technet.com/archive/2007/03/28/tales-from-the-road-vegas-and-the-microsoft-technology-summit.aspxI recently spent time in South East Asia. As always these trips are enlightening, but as I wrote before one of the most important missions of these visits is to understand the health, growth and diversity of the local software economy. And it’s not justenCommunityServer 2007.1 (Build: 40109.1145)http://port25.technet.com/archive/2007/03/28/tales-from-the-road-vegas-and-the-microsoft-technology-summit.aspx#3674Wed, 28 Mar 2007 21:57:59 GMTaf7480c4-26b7-468d-87b0-2acebabb473d:3674davidmeyer<p>Interesting posting Bill. &nbsp;I have spent a great deal of time in Asia over the years (lived in Japan for a time and my wife is from the Philippines.) &nbsp;</p> <p>One thing I have been impressed by is not only the quality of the engineering, but also the technology trends that you mentioned. &nbsp;One thing that I know from working with people inside the Government of the Philippines is the mandate that has come down directing Governmental agencies to look toward Open Source solutions before proprietary.</p> <p>I think this is possible for them because of what you say...the technology generation skipping. &nbsp;In the Philippines, more and more province areas are getting faster and faster connections. &nbsp;In Cebu, for example, call centers are a huge hit because of cost effective voip solutions. &nbsp;Several of my friends who reside there have broadband in their homes now allowing them to work from home supporting different companies globally.</p> <p>I agree with you about the Philippines. &nbsp;They really are a hidden gem for software companies. &nbsp;Several companies already have development shops there, and many more people are independently employed as freelance software developers.</p> <img src="http://port25.technet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=3674" width="1" height="1">