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XP Starter Edition Examined

Posted by michael on from the windows-with-training-wheels dept.

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.'"

104 of 456 comments (clear)

  1. I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Starter Edition allows only three applications to be run concurrently. According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'"

    MWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

    1. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by eln · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well it certainly helps reduce any confusion in comparing it to a half-decent operating system.

    2. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by nial-in-a-box · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yes, and the fact that Windows needs about a dozen applications running at any time to even be usable is interesting. I assume by application we now exclusively mean only those processes that show up in the task bar. I'm also assuming there will continue to be no limit to the amount of junk apps that run in the system tray and are almost exclusively terrible. worthless drains of memory and CPU time.

      --
      I am feeling fat and sassy
    3. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by Matt+Perry · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Yes, and the fact that Windows needs about a dozen applications running at any time to even be usable is interesting. I assume by application we now exclusively mean only those processes that show up in the task bar.
      It won't take long to exceed that limit. An average student: Winamp, a word processor, a web browser. If the student needs to use his email for a moment, he'll have to close something. This will only encourage users to get a copy of the full Windows version so that they won't be limited in what they can do.
      --
      Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
    4. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by pHatidic · · Score: 4, Funny
      The asians are a smaller people, so they need proportionately less.

      /the karma hit is worth it just to make that joke :)

    5. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by TheOtherAgentM · · Score: 3, Funny

      Also, it will allow users to prove that Windows is causing all the crashing, rather than just the numerous applications.

    6. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by lysander · · Score: 4, Interesting
      Starter Edition allows only three applications to be run concurrently.
      Wouldn't that make it a great gaming OS? That's all I use windows for anyway nowadays. Maybe kiosks and net cafes will start using it.
      --
      GET YOUR WEAPONS READY! --DR.LIGHT
    7. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by hawaiian717 · · Score: 5, Funny
      An average student: Winamp, a word processor, a web browser. If the student needs to use his email for a moment, he'll have to close something.

      Guess this hypothetical student will just have to use Mozilla Suite instead of the separate Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. Darn. ;)

      --
      End of Line.
    8. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by darth_linux · · Score: 2, Informative

      I'm reminded of their slogan: "Where do you want to go today? (Where ever we tell you)"

      --
      Power to the Penguin!
    9. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by VistaBoy · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's why you use the full Mozilla, so it comes with a mail client built right in. Well, unless Microsoft has determined that Mozilla is too "confusing" for the starting user, and therefore will immediately end any instance of mozilla.exe ;).

    10. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by hey · · Score: 4, Informative

      You can make a program keep running but not show in the task bar by hiding the main window. ie:

      ShowWindow(ghwndMain, SW_HIDE);

      Programs can hide other programs (security hole but that's another issue). So maybe somebody will write an application that show you all your running apps and give you an easy way to toggle if they are showing or now.

    11. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by Teun · · Score: 2, Funny
      Why laugh, this is just what I need!

      Now all I need is someone to convince my boss the TCO is lower...

      --
      "The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."
    12. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by 1u3hr · · Score: 4, Interesting
      In other words, this won't reduce piracy; it's just a way for Microsoft to say "see, we care about the Asian market's needs! really!"

      It's a way to sell a Windows license at a low price, without creating a product that can be sold through grey markets in the West. (This was made to compete with the Linux-installed PCs as part of the Thai govt's cheap PC plan.) Now Thais can buy a Windows PC, take it home, install Win XP full version. They've paid the "Microsoft tax" even though they're using pirated software.

    13. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by Ianoo · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I doubt it, since display resolution is limited to 800x600.

    14. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by KarmaMB84 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Too bad Mozilla Suite has taken back seat to the separate process-based apps. Maybe Mozilla.org will rethink this strategy now?

    15. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by The+Analog+Kid · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This will only encourage users to get a copy of the full Windows version so that they won't be limited in what they can do.

      Since this is directed at the Asian market, that student would just most likely go buy a pirated verison off the street for $5, so while this verison is suppose to stop piracy, it's only encouraging it even more.

    16. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by CaptnMArk · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It could really force everyone to use Java.exe.

    17. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by jtra · · Score: 2, Funny
      It won't take long to exceed that limit. An average student: Winamp, a word processor, a web browser.

      As long as they only run all aplications inside Emacs, it is no problem ;-)

      --
      -- Wanna textmode user interface for ruby? http://freshmeat.net/projects/jttui/
    18. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by kyshtock · · Score: 2, Insightful
      It won't take long to exceed that limit. An average student: Winamp, a word processor, a web browser.

      Are you kidding me? It's more likely Yahoo Messenger and ICQ while switching between AIM and MSN all the time... a full time job

      --
      Bite my shiny metal... oops... Nevermind!
    19. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by nial-in-a-box · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It's not really a "too bad" though. More a matter of preference, I think. Personally I find the all-in-one app a little too bulky, though admittedly it should have less overhead than running a separate email app and browser app at the same time. I still am not understanding how the user can be limited in the number of running applications. Does this mean only one IE window at a time if they've already got Word and AIM open?

      --
      I am feeling fat and sassy
    20. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by Blue+Stone · · Score: 5, Interesting
      John Lettice of The Register has an interesting take on the 'starter' edition:
      ...as Microsoft builds relationships with the local system builders it will become less and less feasible for businesses to get away with running pirate software. They'll be offered special upgrade deals to full versions, pulling them further into the 'ecosystem' too, and you can see clear parallels with the way Microsoft's sales efforts have progressed in the developed world.

      The plan, therefore, is not to eradicate piracy in consumer markets, but to fuel the development of a 'legitimate' market in government and business while throttling any prospect of open source developing its own markets in the area. Government and business will, as in the developed world, pay a goodly price to Microsoft for its software, while Microsoft will be able to increase the number of PCs that ship with its software (any software will do) and hence yield it the Microsoft tax. The actual entry price paid by government isn't (as in the developed world) particularly relevant, so long as it enters) and whatever the end user shoves on the machine isn't anything like as important as it is for Microsoft to pick up the rent from them as part of the machine's price (as, also, in the developed world).

      --
      Corporation, n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. - Ambrose Bierce
    21. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      It will be interesting to see if certain bundled applications (Outlook Express, IE, etc.) are affected by this limit. If not, then it could be a veiled attempt by MS to keep people from migrating to other applications.

    22. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by Zaiff+Urgulbunger · · Score: 4, Funny

      Nope - Starter Ed. is limited to very small fire arms, slightly blunt knives and various kitchen implements.

    23. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by Dogtanian · · Score: 4, Funny

      As long as they only run all aplications inside Emacs, it is no problem ;-)

      I was going to make a comment about Emacs not coming with a decent text-editor... but then I remembered it has a vi clone built in. :-P

      Now I'm going to get modded into oblivion by the rabid masses of Emacs zealots.

      Damn, that was stupid.

      --
      "Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
    24. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by Aaden42 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Done... It's called HideIt http://www.expocenter.com/hideit/.

      Note that if you search Google, you don't want what's presently at the top. Different product.

    25. Re:I'm going to be laughing at this one for days by libcoder · · Score: 2, Funny

      This limit is new? I use Windows on a computer and it won't run more than 3 applications at once. Everytime I try, it says that it's illegal and it won't make an exception, or something like that.

      --
      RIAA and the MPAA, putting the "F U" in "fair use".
  2. avoid confusion by w1r3sp33d · · Score: 2, Insightful

    http://www.mac.com/

    1. Re:avoid confusion by jkeyes · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Please explain to me how the target audience (3rd world countries) are supposed to be able to afford a Macintosh.

  3. What I want to know... by BJH · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...is what Microsoft is trying to do with this release. It's obvious it won't help at all to stem the flow of pirate copies of the full version of XP, it certainly won't sell to businesses, and it'd be suicide for any hardware manufacturer to use it as their pre-loaded OS.

    1. Re:What I want to know... by djblair · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think MS will sleep soundly knowing NOBODY will pirate this OS.

    2. Re:What I want to know... by cpu_fusion · · Score: 5, Funny

      > What I want to know is what Microsoft is trying to do with this release.

      Microsoft market research had concluded that hatred for Microsoft was lowest in asia, so they pulled together, worked long nights, and have tackled that problem with the usual Microsoft gusto.

    3. Re:What I want to know... by praksys · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I suspect this is a negotiation move. MS complains to third world nation: "Do something about all the rampant piracy." Third world nation replies: "No one here can afford your software anyway, so the piracy is not cutting into your market." MS replies: "Now they can afford the starter/crippleware version, so it is cutting into our market."

    4. Re:What I want to know... by jez9999 · · Score: 5, Funny

      First, Microsoft created a non-multitasking OS.
      Then, they created a multitasking OS.
      Then, they created a pre-emptive multitasking OS.
      Now, they have created... a triple-tasking OS.

      It's not a step backward, honest!

      --
      == Jez ==
      Do you miss Firefox? Try Pale Moon.
    5. Re:What I want to know... by mangu · · Score: 4, Funny
      MS replies: "Now they can afford the starter/crippleware version, so it is cutting into our market."


      To which third world nation will reply: "we have reached a 100% efficiency in fighting piracy - there is not a single pirated copy of your starter/crippleware version for sale anywhere in our country".

    6. Re:What I want to know... by TibbonZero · · Score: 4, Funny

      People pirate crap all the time, just look up N'Sync on any filesharing service...

      --
      Tibbon
      tibbon.com
  4. Give them some credit! (Asians, not MS) by djblair · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "..this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'"

    This new user base may be overseas, but they aren't retarded.

    1. Re:Give them some credit! (Asians, not MS) by edunbar93 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      This new user base may be overseas, but they aren't retarded.

      Spoken like a man who's never done tech support.

      They don't need to be overseas to be retarded. They just need to be your average end-user.

      85+% of the people that use the internet never use anything more complicated than MSN and e-mail.

      Most of the people I have to talk to on the phone think they have to close any open windows before opening any more. Or for that matter, opening the Start menu. Even if they do have more than one open window, they have no idea how to switch between them.

      These are all things that are the very simplest tasks to us, but most people have no idea about them. These are the people that make up Microsoft's target market.

      --
      "No problem. I have the capacity to do infinite work so long as you don't mind that my quality approaches zero."-Dilbert
    2. Re:Give them some credit! (Asians, not MS) by The-Bus · · Score: 5, Insightful

      No, you work in tech support.

      The people that have NO problem using Windows aren't calling you. The people that have issues and are "retarded" are the ones that you're "helping" -- that doesn't mean all people are retarded.

      --

      Small potatoes make the steak look bigger.

  5. In other news by cpu_fusion · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft went on to proclaim the security benefits of this latest release: "Only three instances of worms, spyware, and trojans can run at once!"

    1. Re:In other news by aussersterne · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I was actually going to make the same post, only not as amusingly.

      I think people are gonna end up with three pointless crapware items in their tray and then won't even be able to launch an application.

      --
      STOP . AMERICA . NOW
  6. Second-class Windows for Second-class Asia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'"

    Because the poor, simple peoples of Asia can't handle the complexities of the full versions of Windows XP? I, for one, am offended.

  7. Increased productivity by mukund · · Score: 4, Funny

    According to Microsoft, this limitation `helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'

    Microsoft's new product: MS-DOS Reloaded?

    --
    Banu
    1. Re:Increased productivity by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 5, Funny
      Microsoft's new product: MS-DOS Reloaded?

      There are more advantages to DOS than just the simplicity of single-tasking. Before version 2.0, DOS didn't support directories. Could reverting to DOS 1.0 simplify searches and end user confusion over file system hierarchies as well? I think that the WinFS team should take a look.

      (Opens search dialog:) => Where is the 3rd quarter inventory report for Consolidated Products?

      (The animated dog instantly replies:) => It's on C:

  8. You must be new here by teamhasnoi · · Score: 5, Funny
    Instead, because of the unnecessary limitations introduced in XPSE, Microsoft will likely be perceived as pushing an upgrade path and frustrating users.

    Isn't this in their mission statement or something?

  9. Economics of software by TheOtherChimeraTwin · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Funny how they go to the extra expense of removing features from Windows (making the code changes and testing the result isn't free), and then they charge less for the product.

    I guess they are saving money by not filling as much of the CD :)

  10. But of course by Tirinal · · Score: 2, Insightful

    According to Microsoft, this limitation "helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion."

    Anyone willing to take bets on how many posts making bad puns about this statement will be modded insightful instead of funny?

    I love Slashdot, really. :)

    --
    ~Tirinal
    1. Re:But of course by mkosmul · · Score: 5, Funny

      In the next version of slashcode, only three comments will be allowed for each post in order to reduce confusion among moderators.

  11. *LOL* My Rant Follows... by digital+photo · · Score: 2, Insightful

    A "starter" edition that only lets you run 3 apps while crippling the network features? Are they , MS, trying to encourage people to rip off their software or run off to the competition in droves!?

    Why even bother producing something as crappy as this and then market it to a region of the world where there is already full access to the full version!?

    At this point, I wouldn't even look at the price of the software. Why _pay_ for a crippled operating system that all of your software depends on when you can _pay_ for a fully functional operating system or just get one free ala Linux/BSD/etc?

    What's next? A lower priced version of windows that has more bugs and security holes in it? What will that be called? Windows: Security Lite. Less security and more bugs to not confuse the virii and worms out there. Should probably even have a startup logo to the effect of "You're Screwed".

    I'm just flabbergasted that the carp keeps coming out of that company...

    *shakes head* I pray that they don't EVER get into the weapons business.... ~ you didn't pay your licensing fees, so your missle defense system will be down for the next 12 hours while we sort this out... btw, we'll be notifying our foreign shareholders of this...unless you would be willing to pay a maintenance fee while you wait for your license payment to clear....~

    --

    Winged Power Photography
  12. Spyware by Matt+Perry · · Score: 3, Interesting
    and the Starter Edition allows only three applications to be run concurrently. According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.
    And what happens when the system is infested with spyware? Will the user not be able to run anything because spyware apps are running in the background?
    --
    Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
    1. Re:Spyware by Geoffreyerffoeg · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Good, there's nothing to spy on.

      Actually, I'm pretty sure it'd be three visible apps, not processes (malware would tend to run as a background process or service if it's smart); Windows NT and up (2K, XP) with no apps running has over two dozen processes active; just press Ctrl-Shift-Esc and count. "spoolsv", "svchost" a few times, "lsass", "services", "winlogon", "mdm", the necessary "explorer" and "System", etc.

  13. Hm. by haxor.dk · · Score: 2, Insightful

    While the basic user probably doesn't need to run more than three apps at a time (say, browse the web while eding a doc in Office + having an MP3 file playing in the background), are there any bets how long it will be before there is a patch out to allow more than 3 apps open at a time? =)

  14. UOS by gcantallopsr · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've just developed the Ultimate Operating System. It further reduces confusion among users by issuing a HALT instruction right after a bare minimum startup. I've successfully tested it under x86 and x86-84, and I'm looking for PowerPC 32/64 developers. GNU GPL license. Most compact kernel ever (I call it vendeko-kernel). And no problems with drivers, since it doesn't need them!

    --
    Try Ubuntu GNU/Linux, it's great!!!
  15. Why do they cripple these versions? by foidulus · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Are they worried about them being re-exported? If so, they should not cripple the functionality, but cripple the languages. Make it so that all the menus text boxes etc. are only in one language(that cannot be changed). I doubt people in the US want Thai menus etc. They should still be allowed to type in other languages though.

    1. Re:Why do they cripple these versions? by glop · · Score: 2, Interesting

      No. I believe that they are worried about a class action suit adding two facts :
      a) they are a convicted monopoly in the US
      b) they would be charging a lower price for the same software on foreign markets. This would be an example of "dumping" and also a clear proof that the US stree price is an abuse of their monopoly.

      Since they cannot change a) they avoid b) by crippling the low-cost version for foreign markets. This way they can say that they are not overcharging of the product in their home country. Indeed, the only Windows version that retails for less than the standard US edition is vastly inferior.

    2. Re:Why do they cripple these versions? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The problem is that many non-English speakers also don't want "Thai menus etc.". We like our operating system in English, thanks.
      Not to mention the fact that with some languages you also have to switch sides (menus on the right side of the screen, close/minimize buttons on the left), so you'll have Windows operating one way, and all non-MS apps the other. You can't force people to work like that, it's terrible.

    3. Re:Why do they cripple these versions? by 0x0d0a · · Score: 2, Insightful

      (b) is not an example of dumping at all. The only illegal thing involved here is when a company engages in predatory pricing, which is illegal. To do that, the company *must be selling below cost* (and not as a hook to make money off something else) -- it must really be using nonsustainable tactics. The idea is that a company in that situation is trying to drive others out of business. There is nothing illegal (under US law, at any rate) about use of price discrimination. I can charge twice regular price to every Texan that walks into my store, if I feel like doing so. I can charge half the price for a crippled Thai version of my software.

      --
      May we never see th
  16. A lame analogy .... by shri · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Having just one working leg is better than two.. because it prevents you from running around indiscriminately and falling over and getting run over.

    Clue: Let the admins and users figure it out .. some might just need one application... some might need 20. Not everyone's mentally handicapped u know.

  17. Restriction of movement means clarity! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or in other words: FREEDOM IS SLAVERY

  18. Three? We should be so lucky... by Soulfader · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe it's targeted at those people still hanging on to WinME, which was lucky to run ONE app at a time...

  19. How do you enforce 3 apps? by wamatt · · Score: 3, Interesting
    I really love to know. And how do you classify an app? Is your virus scanner running in the background an app?

    Am I missing something here, or is this some sort of elaborate joke?

    1. Re:How do you enforce 3 apps? by MinimeMongo · · Score: 2, Insightful

      In Windows Task Manager, there is a tab for Applications. It shows the apps that are currently running. It doesn't show my virus scanner, software firewall, or spyware monitor. These are shown as processes. I would assume Windows Starter only limits the user to three items in the applications tab. You can probably run as many processes as your RAM allows.

  20. Nice FA by terrencefw · · Score: 2, Interesting
    OK, a short and sweet article... that says it all really except for possible outcomes.

    Far from reducing confusion, I think this release will harm Microsoft's image in the far east. Considering just how crippled this version is, $39 or whatever it's being sold for is really far too much. Hooray, a tenth of the features for only half the price. This will clearly harden their image over there as being overpriced.

    As for the three application limit being to simplify things for the users, what are they smoking? What makes them think that just because the users are first time customers, they've never used a computer before? Of course they have, with pirated copies of XP Pro, or Linux of course. This crippleware will fool nobody.

    Still, at least we can be thankful that the guys at MS still haven't got a clue how to deal with the rise of Linux and friends. I'm frankly baffled at how they came up with this idea in the first place.

    Personally, I'm all in favour of poison-pill Windows Update deliveries for unlicensed copies of Windows. I'm quite sure they've thought of that one, but quickly ruled it out because it'd end up harming their monopoly, and that's all they have to hold onto really.

    --
    Like tinyurl, but one letter less! http://qurl.co.uk/
  21. Never underestimate the power of MS Marketing by tisme · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I laughed at Windows ME during beta, it was the most bloated and crappy piece of junk ever... but did that stop Microsoft from selling OEM copies to manufacturers and even retail upgrades through advertising? Nope... Windows ME sold 250,000 RETAIL copies in the first four days and OEM copies were bundled with computers from most manufacturers for a long time.

    While I hope that starter edition will fail like nothing has failed before, frankly I think MS will be able to brainwash the masses once again.

  22. No, no, no, they're right! by Saint+Aardvark · · Score: 4, Funny
    Limiting the OS to three running processes helps things IMMENSELY. For example: recently my dad asked for help installing Linux on his laptop. I got a copy of Mandrake Linux and customized the kernel thusly:

    struct ps {
    [ the usual stuff here...]
    } [3];
    Remake the package, remake the CD and off it went. Now, when he boots his laptop, here's what runs:

    1. init
    2. getty (one instance)
    3. login (which execs into bash)
    And boy, was it worth it: I no longer have to answer any questions about GNOME, mounting a USB pen drive, modem drivers. why KOffice messes up the PowerPoint presentation he's trying to read, why he can't run those funky .pif email attachments from his friends, or any of that crap.

    But hey, I know he's going to learn, and will eventually outgrow StarterLinux(tm). I've let him know that once he's got the hang of this he can $$upgrade$$ to Full-On-Whiz-Bang Linux. In fact, if he wants to send the money to me I'll even order it for him.

    --
    Carousel is a lie!
  23. Dilbert by twalk · · Score: 3, Funny

    This one always sticks in my mind: "Employees will be leased and branded in order to improve morale!"

    1. Re:Dilbert by Afrosheen · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think it was "leaSHed and branded". Leased and branded only applies to Manpower outsourced people.

  24. Just look at the quote! by Ieshan · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just look at the quote. Microsoft originally said, "the limitations helps [those pitiful wastes of resources who use our software] stay organized and reduces confusion."

    Media kindly substituted in "[users]".

  25. Why not re-release DOS? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    With only one application running it's even less confusing!

  26. Perhaps you /.'ers are not cynical enough by WhiteWolf666 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    To see the forest through the trees.

    This is not a move by MS to make Windows avaliable to those from countries with a lower purchasing power parity.

    This is a move by MS to say, "Well, we CAN blame them for pirating our XP Pro, because we did make XP (cheapo version) avaliable, and THEY, the bastards, decided to pirate XP Pro anyways."

    Good cop, Bad cop. Now they can send in the jackbooted thugs with a clean conscious, or, at least, a slightly less dismal public relations 'spin'.

    3 Apps? Please. Absurd. Ridiculous.

    MS spent far more time making sure that no one would be interested in running XcheaP, so us, in the rest of the world, wouldn't get a lightweight XP.

    Think about it--- XP, with all the cruft stripped out? And cheaper, to boot?

    Just a pedal to the medal operating system capable of running the apps I want, instead of the apps MS thinks I should be running?

    Hah. Right. Need to lay off the crack.

    Glad none of the 8 computers in my home, or the computers I maintain in the office, run windows anymore.

    Screw this nonsense. I laugh at your outrage. Between Linux/Mac OS X, I can do anything I need to do.

    Cheers,
    WhiteWolf

    --
    WhiteWolf666 an exBush supporter. All you new-school,compassionate,save the children Republicans can rot in hell
  27. Hopefully, this is a security measure by bastard42 · · Score: 3, Funny

    So, a box can only have one worm and two spyware programs? Sweet.

    User doesn't notice worm. Check.
    User is annoyed by one set up ads. Check
    User clicks yes and installs something else. Check.
    User can't run MS Office. Awesome.

    I only have to get rid of 3 things.
    Rinse and Repeat as necessary.

    Why can't we get this here. Or at least post the registry hacks so I can limit user functionality too.

  28. Yes, it's Newspeak, but... by JessLeah · · Score: 2, Informative

    Yes, MS is engaging in Orwellian doublespeak by saying that the task limitation will help people... however, they may very well be right.

    I've noticed just two "WinIdiot" patterns of task handling:

    1) Start Word. Type some stuff. Realize you want to view a Web page. QUIT WORD. Run IE. Do what you wanna do. Maybe copy and paste, if you're that Clueful. QUIT IE. Run Word. Realize you want to check your email. QUIT WORD. Run Outlook. Read email. Catch virus. QUIT OUTLOOK. Run Word...

    1) Start Word. Type some stuff. Realize you want to view a Web page. SAVE WORK. RUN IE. Do what you wanna do. Maybe copy and paste, if you're that Clueful. KEEP IE OPEN. RUN WORD AGAIN. Type some more. Realize you want to check your mail. KEEP WORD OPEN. RUN OUTLOOK. Check mail. Want to type more in Word. RUN WORD AGAIN...

    Eventually, you have a bajillion copies of Word running at once...

    Or, in other words, (1)-type people don't realize a computer CAN multitask (don't even get me started on how they don't realize stuff in the taskbar constitutes multitasking.), and (2)-type people don't realize that every time you run something, it eats up more RAM... so they end up with 12 copies of Word running at once...

    * (WinIdiot: computer-illiterate person, who runs Windows, and who doesn't even WANT to learn how to be better computer users-- sometimes, they've been using computers for 20 years, but they're still just as clueless as the day they started)

    --
    Honey, I shrunk the Cygwin
    1. Re:Yes, it's Newspeak, but... by Moosechees · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I like to do that all the time. With some programs you can't have multiple files open at one time. Or you can't space them out on your screen the way you want them (because they're contained in the same box). Or, because it's prone to crashing, like IE, and running a totally new instance of it will prevent your new windows from crashing if the program goes down.

      I can't believe an OS -wouldn't- at least give you an option to do that somewhere just because some users are too stupid to realize how their computer works.

  29. WTF? by sockonafish · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Oh god, the racism...

    Microsoft to Asia: "Brown people are easily confused."

  30. Games ? by William+Baric · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Can we play games with this ? If yes then it's perfect for a dual-boot system.

    1. Re:Games ? by KingKu · · Score: 2, Informative

      Unfortunately, according to the Ars Technica article earlier this week, Starter Edition won't run at a resolution higher than 800 by 600 pixels, won't support Microsoft Networking, and might not even support Direct X 9.0, rendering it pretty weak for playing games.

      Of course, on the other hand, I guess it's better than nothing if you're Asia and you want to stay legal.

  31. The reasons should be obvious by CdBee · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This release wasn't designed to be used.
    It was designed to be issued with computers which otherwise would have had a government-endorsed Linux system preinstalled: Something Microsoft would sink to any depths to prevent

    --
    I have been a user for about 10 years. This ends Feb 2014. The site's been ruined. I'm off. Dice, FU
  32. Re:Useful for TCO "analyses" by brennz · · Score: 2, Funny

    tco or tc0? :D

  33. Can I pick "stupid"? by khasim · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I don't think the INTENT of this product was either racist or classist.

    I think the INTENT was to cripple an inexpensive version of Windows in order to preserve the profit margin on the full version.

    Now, they had a problem explaining why the crippled version was crippled without admitting the reason was the profit margin protection.

    Their spin sounds either racist or classist.

  34. Nice explanation there, Microsoft by Jugalator · · Score: 4, Insightful

    According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'"

    OK, so Windows XP Home is confusing to use then?
    Can we expect this new clever feature in Longhorn?

    *sigh*

    Don't they even think before talking?

    --
    Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
  35. Just like early version of IE... by rainwalker · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ..were only used to download Netscape Navigator, this will only be used to pirate Windows XP Pro. Is the CD-burning functionality included? That would be very thoughtful of them, maybe they could just add links in the Favorites menu to popular warez sites for WinXP, since they so clearly have the consumer in mind.

  36. Windows XP DOS Edition? by atcurtis · · Score: 4, Funny


    Why not limit it to only running 1 application at any time... that way users won't get confused at all ....

    --
    -- The universe began. Life started on a billion worlds...
    -- Except on one where stupidity was there first.
  37. "Starter version", bah! by WWWWolf · · Score: 2, Insightful

    There's just one thing I've learned about these limited versions. I think it's best summarized by one Finnish proverb: "Poor people can't afford to get cheap things". Do you think it's wiser to spend a small amount of money on the "limited" version, keep limping forward with the limited set of functionality and be never able to buy the full version - or is it wiser to first a little bit more money, and spend it on the full version right away?

    Before I got Linux and its wonderful set of high-quality free tools, I was constantly in pain. Why? The stuff I needed was expensive, and demo shit or shareware stuff doesn't do anything well! Limited programs weren't option - It's unwise to buy toys when you need the real tools.

    Even the name "Starter Edition" is ridiculous. This thing is supposed to be the low-cost alternative to a real work operating system, meant to be used all the time, just like the real version. Yet, the name implies it's only a "Starter" version. Why should people buy a separate "starter" version, since it implies they need the real version anyway? How long are you going to be "starting" the computer use, anyway? Forever?

  38. only three? by binarybum · · Score: 4, Funny

    so let's see...

    1. Gator
    2. Casino.net
    3. Cydoor

    hey! that doesn't even leave me room to run Bonzi Buddy!

    --
    ôó
  39. Inherently offensive by c0dedude · · Score: 3, Insightful

    'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'

    So people in the US can handle more than 3 apps, but people in S.E. Asia can't? What a bullshit excuse for throwing out a weak piece of crap.

    --
    Since when has this country used intellectual elite as a pejorative term?
  40. ...and the best part is: by dracvl · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It only runs in 800x600. No other resolutions. Brilliant for those LCD monitors which has a native resolution higher than that.

  41. The iTunes store theory by SilentChris · · Score: 2, Insightful

    A lot of people are asking why MS is cripling this OS beyond recognition. I think it has a lot to do with iTunes.

    Apple pretty much proved that the average person will pay for the convenience of having an "official" (and also easy to download) copy of a song over a free one. Sure, people still pirate, but $100,000,000 worth of music is not chump change.

    So MS releases an OS for a few bucks. If they *didn't* cripple it, some people (think mom and pop redneck) would probably think up elaborate ways to buy it. I mean, why not: you get full support, you know the version you're getting isn't chock full of viruses, and for once you have a legitimate license.

    MS has crippled it to make it less attractive to the average US buyer, but I bet in a heartbeat if they released a version with a few more features and a similarly-low price, mom and pop redneck would buy them up.

  42. Design happens first, then marketing... by LostCluster · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Clearly, the three application to a session limitation and lack of networking were not features designed to make the OS simpler. They are limitations put in to intentionally criple functionality as that when a user sees a "starter edition" error message, they can also be presented with "That functionality is in the Home version. Please step up by paying..."

    Three is clearly an arbitrarly chosen number based on research and testing... the marketing people were then given the number to work with and then spin it.

  43. What a demonstration! by WarMonkey · · Score: 2, Funny


    What a demonstration! MS has to SPECIFICALLY TRY to come up with something EVEN WORSE to make XP look good by comparison.

    Pity that there isn't a trading floor for Washington state food stamp futures...

    --
    -- I could tell right away that she was impressed with my HUGE Slashdot Karma.
  44. Re:They Should Call it Lindows by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Everyone in Asia already calls Windows 'Rindows'.

  45. mmmm.... design conference by phyruxus · · Score: 4, Funny
    Lead dev: Guys, Angela, we're got to get this XP Starter Edition finished. Where do we stand?

    Dev A: We're on target with everything except the usual... the numerous bugs

    Lead dev: Features, call them features..

    Dev A: --features, we couldn't adapt are a security haz- er, configuration issue.

    Lead dev: Okay, noted. Siramanthar?

    Dev B: Marketing says the configuration issues will not greatly impede sales. But like all our releases, it leaks memory like a sieve. I've spent the last thirty straight days staring at teh debugger... it's just too arcane. The original code was written under the influence of a beer whose like I have not yet tasted.

    Lead dev: About that; I've got a solution from above, but it's not pretty. (developers eye each other uneasily.) We're going to limit the user to running only three programs at a time.

    Dev C: Isn't that throwing the baby out with the bathwater?

    Dev A: Won't our users laugh at us?

    Dev B: I don't even want to think about what slashdot will say about this....

    Lead dev: People, this is direct from the central Hive. We have no choice. Besides, it worked for the celeron. Now, Make Your Time. *clap*

    --
    "A witty saying proves nothing." ~Voltaire
    "d'Oh!" ~Homer
  46. How would it decide what's an application? by idealego · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Is your firewall an application? Is your antivirus an application? Is your volume control an application? Are the several IM's that some people run applications? I have tons of little icons for programs that are running like these but I wouldn't really call most of them applications. I have no idea how the OS is able to tell the difference.

  47. Re:MS, encouraging piracy (nudge nudge wink wink) by arose · · Score: 2, Funny

    In a surprising move Apple users around the world have started replacing the native Mac OS X that came with their hardware with pirated versions of Windows XP. Aparently they were inpired by a comment of a certain 'mrchaotica' on the popular technology newspage slashdot.org. In unrelated news Apple support has been flooded with angry phone calls.

    --
    Analogies don't equal equalities, they are merely somewhat analogous.
  48. Price Discrimination and Piracy by dedoleo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Starter Edition sounds like a great example of legal price discrimination and turning a blind eye to piracy. Starter edition isn't exactly price discrimination. Price discrimination is when I charge a rich person $20 for a hamburger and a poor person $2 for the same hamburger, even though the hamburger cost me $1 to make. Why? Because I want all the money I can get from each person who can afford to pay. This is illegal. Starter Edition is not the same as Home or Professional, so it's not price discrimination, but the principal seems to be the same. Here's where the piracy comes in. Many people in California drive over the 65 speed limit on the freeway. In fact, you'll probably get honked at if you don't. You can even drive next to a cop at 75 with no problem. It's the unwritten law and what is expected. Publicly, Microsoft hates piracy, but to an extent, I believe they silently condone it. Here's why, and I'll use Adobe as an example. Some high school is playing with a pirated version of Adobe Photoshop at home. He can't afford Photoshop and none of his work is for profit or being sold. Adobe loses no money by his use of their product. Now, let's say he gets really good at Photoshop and some day goes pro. Either he, or his company, is going to buy Photoshop for him to use because 1) now he (or the company) has the money to make the purchase, and 2) it's the product that he knows. If he couldn't have pirated Photoshop back when he was a kid, he probably would have ended up using someone elses product and getting good at that. So, this type or piracy, though still illegal, is beneficial to Adobe. The real pirates they're trying to stop are the ones selling mass copies of their product. So this brings me to two, not necessarily exclusive, conclusions on Starter Edition. One) Starter Edition is a legal method similar to price discrimination to get any money possible from the Thais. Two) Starter Edition is a way to milk money from the piracy issue. People may buy this cheap OS instead of using Linux or pirating (because it's affordable). Then, having gained experience on the OS (similar to the high school kid with Photoshop) they will be more compelled to shell out for the full version than to switch to something they aren't accustomed to such as Linux. I feel the three application limit is not for simplicity, but to encourage an upgrade once the user gets used to Windows. An insightful poster earlier pointed out something good I hadn't considered that is relevant to piracy: This may simply be a Microsoft "tax" assuming that new computers come preloaded with Starter Edition. Even though the user is expected to install a pirated version of Windows anyway, they still payed a small increase for the system to be preloaded with Starter Edition.

    1. Re:Price Discrimination and Piracy by JayJayEm · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Since when is price discrimination illegal?

      You might want to let people like all the large cinema chains know who charge less for a ticket for a student, child or OAP even though that ticket gives them access to exactly the same product, which costs the cinema exactly the same to "produce".

      Price discrimination tends to assist the poorer consumer - if cinemas were unable to discriminate between students and adults the catch-all price would likely be unpalatably high for students.

      However, as you do rightly point out this is all irrelevant because Starter Edition is NOT an example of price discrimination - it is an entirely different (crippled) product.

    2. Re:Price Discrimination and Piracy by R2.0 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Price discrimination is only illegal when connected with other forms of discrimination - racial, gender, etc. If I am selling something, I can charge anyone anything I wish (assuming non monopoly status). However, if the buyer is part of a protected class, more rules apply, and I cannot charge different prices based on certain criteria - again, race, gender, etc. But charging a different price based solely on other traits is wholly legal.

      --
      "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
  49. Yes, considering... by Gordonjcp · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ... they can't split IE off, it's funny how they can restrict the number of apps running. Very strange...

  50. reminds me of.... by zogger · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... the concept of the "training bra". A whole lotta something to try and cover a whole lotta nuthin......

  51. Maybe not so wrong after all by Lispy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I find this offer as inacceptable as the rest of the Slshdot crowd, but wouldn't it be possible that Microsoft knows it's market? I bet they made extensive research in Asia and it turned out that most people will be satisfied with an operating system as crippled as this. I am not really sure if I wouldn't try it if I was really short on money but wanted to run my favourite games or office app.

    Maybe Linux might be 10 times more powerful but some people just like to use Word and IE? Maybe not everyone needs network because there is no broadband or LAN-Party around?

    I know it sounds totally insane to us but maybe not so much to your mother or a thai. And don't forget that dealing with free operatingsystems still takes some time for a newbie, WinXP is commonly known...

  52. Lovely by dtfinch · · Score: 3, Insightful

    When you make something worthless, even free would be too expensive.

    They say "we'll sell you less for less". But that's not a great offer if they can get more for less elsewhere. They need to put more value in their products. Say, make XP Home and Pro better and make XP Starter what XP Home was.

    Businesses don't buy licenses from Red Hat at $3k per server because Linux is cheap.

    After enough times trying to run 4 apps at once, I'm betting that Linux is going to look really attractive to anyone who shells out the $4 needed to purchase XPSE. They already spent $100 or more on the system, so they'll want to get as much out of that investment as possible, and the cost of XPSE will far exceed the $4 price. I doubt that XPSE will let you make a 4 headed system, with one cheap pc connected to 4 cheap monitors, keyboards, and mice.

    There is exactly one case I can think of where someone will want XPSE, and that's to run Windows games, unless they put in something to prevent dual boot.

  53. Not a Problem for MS. by Stephen+Samuel · · Score: 4, Insightful
    so while this verison is suppose to stop piracy, it's only encouraging it even more.

    This isn't a problem for MS. Their real intent is to prevent users from getting PCs with Linux installed by default. Users that get Linux installed by default might just realize that it's better than (or at least as good as) Windows and keep it.

    On the other hand, users who've never seen anything else will be more likely to just replace the hobbled version with a pirated version of Wintendos and, thus, keep the MS monopoly healthy.

    If a reasonably large minority of Taiwanese people/organizations were to start using Linux on a regular basis, this might start "The Domino Effect" (as per cold war thinking).

    --
    Free Software: Like love, it grows best when given away.
  54. In a countermove, the Slashdot starter edition ... by scruffy · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... uses light colors on a white background to help users stay squinted and confused.

  55. Three Applications by Naito · · Score: 2, Insightful

    let's see:

    1. Bonzi Buddy
    2. Gator
    3. lop
    4. oops! no more apps can be started!

    XP SE GUARANTEES your inability to work!

  56. Colours are stupid, anyhow by Dogtanian · · Score: 2, Informative

    What the hell do you mean by "Asian" anyway? Where I come from, it often (misleadingly) refers to racial groups from the Indian subcontinent, which is pretty silly (Chinese aren't Asian??!).

    Anyway, I have news for you. "Brown" is one of the few colours where you could genuinely find a human being that *was* that colour.

    "Yellow" people don't really look yellow.
    "Black" people don't look black (no, not even very dark-skinned people from Central Africa), and "White" people don't look white.

    And I know some smartass out there is thinking of Albinos. Well, let's get some bleached copier paper and an albino and do the comparison...

    --
    "Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
  57. Emacs... by Liquid+Len · · Score: 2, Funny

    I mean, 3 apps ? That's two more than really needed if you can have Emacs run on this thing...