Oppenheimer Report : Finland Could Instruct Latin America on Competitiveness

tomass says on Sep 5, 2008, 09:56:

25 years ago Nokia was only famous and then only in Finland as a maker of wellington boots V gd quality.
Then Nokia applied for and got a substantial % of bandwidth the govt decided to unfreeze. That proved the impetus and first mover advantage - mobile phones werent even on the horizon. All the other european govts followed suit in unlocking frequencies after some years later.
A handshake on a deal is often all thats necessary in Finland. Bit different to Colombia!!
The climate is a real pain. The people can be v shy. Education is excellent - well whats to do in the long dark winters except sit in the sauna and drink koskenkorva.

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miamimike says on Sep 5, 2008, 11:16:

Not to mention, travel can undertaken anywhere in the country without fear of being sequestered,,,

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 5, 2008, 11:31:

:) yeah.
We're the best.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Sam Salmon says on Sep 5, 2008, 20:55:

Good-Almost zero corruption in Finland.

Bad-living in the freezing dark 6 months of the year.

' a la orden!'

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miamimike says on Sep 5, 2008, 23:15:

Desi--You should be proud of that article! Scandanavia rocks!

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 5, 2008, 23:52:

Miami, I am. Very proud. Also of the fact that I think NOTHING of "surviving" 6 months of the year of dark and cold. Besides, it's 6 months only above the Arctic Circle. In the south it's more like 4 months of darkness (short days). I love the four seasons.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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brano says on Sep 6, 2008, 02:20:

i lived and worked in turku(southern finland) for 6 months and it was the best time of my life. i have to admit that i was on my way to become a first-class alcoholic but the country and the people are truly great. yes, the winters are pain in the ass and thats the reason why i changed mind and didnt settle up there but the summers around the great lakes or in lapland are spectacular. their economy is stable and their education system, social system and hardworking people make this place awesome for living and having a family. everybody seems to exercise and they take care of their nature a lot. i do think this is a country to learn from...

"I can remember when the air was clean and sex was dirty."

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 6, 2008, 03:28:

I went to the U in Turku:)

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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brano says on Sep 6, 2008, 09:24:

really? awesome! i was teaching english there with EU program called SOCRATES in 1999. and my favorite bar was The Dozen close to the main square....:)

"I can remember when the air was clean and sex was dirty."

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 6, 2008, 09:47:

It was a *little* before your time...I lived in Turku for a year and a half just off the Market Square (Kauppatori) on Brahe St.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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miamimike says on Sep 7, 2008, 07:18:

Desi--how is finland for Bike touring as a Solo Traveler as far as the Langauge Barrier? Lots of Hostels, bike lanes ect?

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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Sam Salmon says on Sep 7, 2008, 10:03:

Oh 4 months in the freezing dark not 6-mea culpa!

' a la orden!'

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tomass says on Sep 8, 2008, 06:43:

miami - Finland is pretty flat - road network is v good and lots of bike lanes - Finns use their bikes a lot - esp in summer. Language is only a problem with older generation - a v high % on leaving school (18) have really good knowledge of 4 languages english being one.
Summers can be hot and also wet - then theres the mosquitoes!! so id give Lapland a miss in summer - autumn would be best there.
Otherwise id go for the central lakes region and small towns.
Plenty of hostels and bring a tent.

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ColombianoGringo says on Sep 8, 2008, 07:54:

Mike, I saw a show called the Oppenheimer Report(or something like that) in Spanish on Direct TV at my parent's house this weekend. Is this the same guy?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 8, 2008, 10:12:

Sorry I missed your question, miami and good of you, tomass to fill in with accurate info about biking in Finland. The country is flat in the south, southwest and west, with hilly middle section and low, round mountains in the north. There are bike lanes in the cities but outside you just stay out of main highways and the quiet country roads are both safe, with low traffic and well maintained.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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