Modernize and innovation are fine words. I disagree, that there is no appetite for modern technology, there is, this is clear to see on every street corner. What for me is the real problem is that we feel we cannot demand change, that we have no say in change from a commercial service or product. As an example when I go to the Bank, or try to use internet banking, there is a host of beurocratic baggage that is rediculous - forms, stamps, keys.... what I realy want is the Bank to modernize, to innovate, to improve the service, but I can demand nothing, it will fall on deaf ears. So people don't dare ask for anything or suggest anything. This is the way it is, we basically take the system as it is, then innovate around it. So there is innovation, but it is what I call 'black' innovation, but it is there. I could introduce a new bank, with the approach I want, but would the big comfortable boys kill it! So what we need achieve is the culture that people can make this innovation open, that there is reward in it and not fear about it. The problem is that after what we have gone through in terms of political innovation, people are frightend to innovate with the staple services around them. They want stability and they are enjoying the stability, including myself that Putin and now Medvedev are providing. So we need keep governemnet stable and ensure competition and financial reward for those who attempt innovation in commercial areas. People are innovative, they just won't act while either there is a brick wall receiving them or another set of actors illegally destroying their work, because of their comfortable positions. So the fine words, need to translate into fine actions. These fine actions should be the creation of a free innovation fertile commercial garden with protection against the weeds. Plants grow, they are not assembled. Government can just provide the gardner and the seed, nature will do the rest, don't try to hard, there is no need.

Dear Count Cash: I could not agree with you more. As a Engineer working in Silicon Valley, innovation is the name of the game, and money, of course. If you build it they will come. I have traveled to Russia on many occassions. It is a fine country with the resouces, and educated-skilled workforce that could do anything they wanted given the opportunity and incentives (rewards). Russia has all the seeds and gardeners.....just add water. :)

i agree with Thomas, go RUSSIA!!!

A free alternative to Microsoft windows would be a start for a software model of business. See ReactOs . Now if Russia could help push this project forward I'm sure the rest of the world would be appreciative and Russia would start to earn credit and would become an inspiration to others to follow. See also Red Hat software for another business model that works with free software. To employ say 50 programmers or so is a small effort yet the significance of success is tremendous. Please Russia, be successful, and good luck :)