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Cut-Rate Windows 'XP Starter Edition' in Thailand

Posted by michael on from the includes-free-starter-virus dept.

zlel writes "Microsoft has decided on an official name - 'Windows XP Starter Edition' - for the stripped-down, cut-rate version of Windows that it first began offering in Thailand last summer."

2 of 478 comments (clear)

  1. That's just the thing.... by jwcorder · · Score: 5, Interesting

    They removed English from the OS for piracy concerns. Something about that stat 75% of all Asian installs were stolen.

    --
    http://jayceecorder.blogspot.com
  2. If MS wises up... by mattgreen · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Then they'd realize there is a sect of users who would love something like this in the US and Europe. People that don't want the damn animated dogs telling them how to search, or Fisher Price UIs. People who aren't afraid to drag out the command prompt to do things and enjoy having options. Hopefully they get the message that there are still power users on Windows, but it certainly feels like an endangered species at times -- many UI innovations are little more than eye candy or making the UI easier for novice users. Meanwhile, most real power users have graduated to OS X or Linux where they don't have to feel like they are being talked down to.

    All the bundled crap should be optional. That means I should be able to choose whether to install:
    * IE, including disabling shell integration. Additionally I should be able to replace IE with an alternative browser that is used through the system, including applications that embed IE through COM.
    * Media player
    * Windows messenger

    I should be able to fine tune which services are installed and have them explained to me at install time so I know exactly what ports are open. A compiler and build tool for C, C++ and C# should come preinstalled and in the path. You should be able to do anything from the console that you can do from the GUI.

    If this seems outlandish, they could have it simply be two alternate modes of setup whereby you select your expertise level. Like, an "Express" install option versus an "Advanced" mode that lets you tailor everything you want.

    (I tend to be an MS apologist, but this is one point where they really aggravate me.)