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XP Starter Edition Examined
de la mettrie writes "C-Net reports that analysts do not recommend using Microsoft's new 'Windows XP Starter Edition', a low-cost XP version aimed at the Asian market (and previously covered on Slashdot). The report notes that numerous networking features are removed, and the Starter Edition allows only three applications to be run concurrently. According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'"
Microsoft Windows "OFF" edition:
Benefits: Can only be run when the machine is turned off.
A Microsoft spokesman is quoted as saying the limitation is immensely useful for getting obese Americans outside and doing something besides fucking around on the internet.
If you were me, you'd be good lookin'. - six string samurai
Also - if they can make sure they control the network stack on every PC out there, they can start working on projects like enhancing the internet.
Pretty soon you'll see MS PCs that can communicate using MS-TCP by default, but they'll fall back to legacy TCP support in case a user wants to visit a website which is using a legacy OS like linux/Solaris/AIX/whatever. The MS-TCP will of course have various features built in to eliminate portscans/spam/DoS/whatever. Granted, all connections will require an MS-issued SSL key on at least one side of the link. A standard windows install will allow up to 5 simultaneous MS-TCP connections, and people running websites can feel free to pay for the right to open more.
Eventually MS will phase out regular TCP support since nobody they cares about actually uses it anymore.
Oh, MS-TCP will be patent-encumbered so forget open source compatibility. They might be nice and cross-license with other closed-source OS's.
Once you have 90% market share, getting to 100% is fairly simple since you have the power to make all the other vendors play compatibility games. You don't see MS worrying about developing OpenOffice compatibility - it is up to OpenOffice to support the MS "standard".
Why not limit it to only running 1 application at any time... that way users won't get confused at all ....
[puts on flame suit]
Hi! You must be new here!
I'd like to introduce you to Mr. MacOS9.
Have you read the moderator guidelines? Well, have you, PUNK? (and I want a Karma: Gnarly option)
Uh, my mom's a computer newbie, and she gets by just fine on Mandrake.
If all you're using a computer for is mail, web, and word processing, how exactly is clicking on the "konqueror", "kmail", and "openoffice" icons harder than clicking on the "ie", "outlook", and "word" icons?
The only people XP might be easier for is people advanced enough to want to do networking things and the like, but not advanced enough to read man ifconfig and man iwconfig.