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More Details on Cut-Rate Windows OS For Asia
glawrie writes "The BBC is carrying a story that Microsoft is to launch a (very) cut down version of Windows XP to combat Linux in Asian countries. According to the story, 'Windows XP Starter Edition' will be limited to low-res graphics, limited networking, and will be hobbled to prevent more than three applications running concurrently. It remains to be seen why anyone in target countries would choose this over Linux, or the widely available pirate copies of 'full' Windows XP." We mentioned this in June.
As "Torrents," the BSA Copyright Weasel sez, "even absurdly hobbled but copywritten, paid-for software is way cooler than that yucky pirate and OSS stuff, kids!"
"...all the labours of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness..." yada yada
Lets sell a hobbled, half assed version of an operating system when the person can buy the same thing for less than what they're going to charge for the half assed version.
Hmm. Suddenly I'm not so worried about the Microsoft marketing machine.
Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
Except that you're paying for it...
This idea is sure to succeed because those horrible, evil, open source zealots would never think of this idea.
Can someone please make a version with even crazier colors?
I'll turn into a supernova and burn up everything. Well I'll turn into a black little hole and you'll turn into string.
I thought Microsoft was just going to cut out programs like media player and solitare, not completely cripple the OS and make it practically useless.
Given that Windows without Media Player and Solitaire IS useless to many people that'd be the same, m'kay?
Cool, so you just have to open 3 programs and no worm could be executed?
Aren't there more processes running when windows starts?
Move Sig. For great justice.
Hello, La_Boca. Try not leaving your username in next time, dumbass.
there's 25% less chance of virus infection! And significantly less carbs! With same funky acquired taste of XP!
"Microsoft's new software - dubbed "XP Lite" - will feature lower resolution graphics and limited options for networking computers together." So basically it's like Windows98?
There should be an obligatory +5 for the first person to post a slashdot article link in colours that won't burn the cornea's of my eyes...
Actually I think $50 is about $99,950 too much. They would have to pay me to use it.
At 800x600, even Windows' own dialog boxes may not fit on the screen.
As the old gag goes, Emacs would be a pretty nice OS, if only someone could write a decent text editor for it...
"I Know You Are But What Am I?"
But then someone let slip that GIMP was one of those hippy-freakout open source programs. They tried to call it the 'Photoshopped' version but were pummeled by Adobe. They now call it the 'Paint' version - eminently confusing but better than the 'Windows Picture and Fax Viewer' version.
I want to drag this out as long as possible. Bring me my protractor.
Crappy graphics, horrid networking, beyond shitty "multitasking" are they repackaging NT 4? :)
( o ) one could say I'm rather baked
Crazy enough?
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
I don't care if it's a Starter Edition or a Missle Defense Edition, I still say, the only safe Windows is abstinence.
This side up.
Here's a sneak preview of the OS... Windows RG (Warning - requires flash)
it seems like they've already been selling this in the US for a few years
Actually MS was going to remove Windows/Internet Explorer, thereby making it Lite. After closer review, they realized that they would prove that removing them is possible, contrary to earlier defenses that they removal is impossible.
Now I understand why /. has this horrible color scheme.
Application 1: Super Date thingy down beside the clock
Application 2: Superduper pop up blocker that feeds you adverts all day
Application 3: w32.netsky.A
The "Hobbled Version has" been around for years. Here is what my use has been like. If you try to run more than 3 programs, the OS grinds to a near hault, and often crashes. If you badmouth MS at any point, the machine restarts causing you to lose anything you didn't save. The OS is so hobbled, I am always getting messages when on the internet about being insecure, so I click them all. That doesn't seem to help, so I had better click some more. Oh yeah, and the OS now decided that my '88 Chevy Cavilier is no longer compatable, so I have to buy a new Ford. It is very proprietary.
I heard they combined the ME, NT and CE versions and made a new product...
Windows CEMENT.
FROM:Bill Gates
TO: MicroSoft Asia
Subject: Linux/Piracy in Asia
DAMMIT! Re-arrange those deck chairs FASTER!
And tell the band to play 'Nearer my God to Thee' LOUDER!
Guaranteed! This comment 100% Anthrax free!
That's nothing. The Apache section is much worse.
The World Wide Web is dying. Soon, we shall have only the Internet.
I ... see ... THREE .... lights!!
The surprise isn't how often we make bad choices; the surprise is how seldom they defeat us.
Perhaps Linux could gain market share as well if it had a starter version that had "limited networking", "limited to low-res graphics" and no more than "three applications".
With innovations like those, it's no wonder MSFT stays so far ahead. Someone should get working on such a distro to stay competitive (unless MSFT patented the idea of an OS that can only run 3 apps, of course).
Oh, wait...
"With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine." -- RFC 1925
Hahahaha... haha.. heh. Welcome to 1999.
Not exactly. The Windows CEMENT image refers to Windows ME, which wasn't first published until late 2000. In fact, the image was Last Modified in January 2001.
Couple of things.
Mushrooms will not come up on most drug tests. (Wouldn't matter if they tested or not)
Mushrooms generally bring out the altruism in people - and hi-res colors. (No shrooming developer would EVER limit graphics, or do things like develop crippled software)
I can't believe the Redmond drug of choice would be 'shrooms, I think it is just good 'ol American crack - which supports your point - obviously they don't do drug tests.
ymmv