To All the Asian, European, and other "third-world" country participants of this list, please allow me to educate:
The Ladies and Gents in the US don't all have the same level of income, and only a small margin actually have exceptional levels of funds to help pay for their endeavors towards higher education. Not to mention, there are small groups of citizens scattered about that are more-or-less living off of their ancestors' financial success - To the rest of us, we call these folks "Old Money". The far majority of the current generation of "students" (age 18-30) don't have masses of cash to spend on education, and the ones that do, spend it like its nothing- on things other than education... and aren't real concerned about where they're going to be in 5 to 20 years financially - and unless they get a clue, their going to be broke, and blaming the economy and everyone else about their woes. For the rest, the avg. income is less then 35,000 USD annually. That puts them living is "low-class" housing, and just barely "making ends meet". This translates to less and less of these folks attending 4 year universities, and our government has the Tax and "Grant" laws in such a way that you can't really qualify for decent financial assistance that you don't have to pay back- "because 35,000USD labels you as 'you make too much'". So to get financial assistance, you have to take out loans with outrageous interest rates. At the same time, the US Govt. makes all kinds of resources (in the millions of US dollars) to folks from other countries to aid in their pursuit of the "American Dream", while ignoring the US citizens that are poverty stricken, but wish they had some help to change that (and believe me, I know we have some lazy Americans too that just want a free ride, but there are also a far majority of the poor that aren't with that attitude). At the same time, the cost of buying Cisco Networking equipment for "personal" use, and not for profit, is still exceptionally higher than that of what it costs others internationally. And to make things more gracious, If you look closely, Cisco offers learning grants for those folks in the International sector... but they don't offer that to the 35,000 USD annual folks here in America. Cisco Systems Inc., just like any other US Company, takes the attitude that US citizens should be able to afford their prices, but they understand the lower economics of other countries, and price their products accordingly for them- along with also giving them better deals on getting the equipment for educational use. Bottom line is, though you are in lower economic conditions, trust me, the majority of the US every-day-citizens are just as poor. It's taken me 3 years to acquire 4 routers, and that was all with putting them on credit cards because the cash was just never there to pay out of the pocket. For God Sake, the 2500's are just now down to the point of cost that is comparable to a Automobile payment for one month (financed over 5 years) All the newer models are still so high in cost that the equivalent amt. would pay a house payment, the electric bill and put food on the table for one month- AND that's just ONE router. I met a gentleman at a training class that I had to pay for out of my own pocket just a month back, and he had flown in from Thailand. He gave me an amazing eye-opener to the situation of economics on the Asian Seaboard... and I do feel for you in all of that.... but believe me, the educational opportunities are far greater in Asian, European, and Southern/Central America than they are here in the US... at least when it comes to Cisco subsidizing the bill. You just might want to do some research... you'll probably find funds easier than I or most US citizens that work for a living (and would love to get "ahead") can. I've also worked with a considerable amount of "foreigner" consultants (Indians, Asians, etc.), and it sometimes really ate at my gut deep down inside to hear about the salaries they made in comparison to me for equal technical skill, as well as all the financial assistance they received from the government to live here, while they worked using a "Visa". They more-or-less lived quite well, and usually thought that they were still underpaid. I always kept a respect for them though, and never let my personal emotions get in the way of our professionalism. I chalked it up to a "different way of living/culture". Oh, and one more quick note... I come from an extremely poor family myself, but with pride, and determination, and even with all the restraints that Caucasians US citizens from low income families suffer, I've managed to verrry slowly get myself to a point where I can slowly, but surely pay for my own education... and I personally think that it's made me a better person. In the end, I KNOW what hard work it was to climb the mountain of success. So please, Don't complain about the cost, because you've got it easier than you know... you just have to go look for it. No need to flame the cost conscious, all that will go to the kill file. ============== Now, Back to so real discussion - Cisco labs to practice :) Mark Odette II CCNA, 3/4 CCNP, MCSE, A+, and lots of hard work ahead of him. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Nick S. Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2001 10:57 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: ccbootcamp labs [7:29512] Also, the way these labs are designed they demand on 13 routers & switches (not to mention the topology) that it becomes imperative for 90% of the people to buy rack time from the lab sellers and that is really bad. I know of many people out there in China & India (other asian countries) who have tremendous potential, but they seriously lack the funds to pay for the labs or rack time. I have suggested Marc to follow the strategy of Book Publishers who sell "low priced asian editions" . He has nothing to lose, but he will gain a much wider market share, and ccbootcamp will truly become a "Global Company". Nick Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=29912&t=29512 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
