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Windows XP Starter Edition off to Slow Start

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft may have started shipping its cheaper version of Windows in Asia, but getting support for its low-cost computing vision is still very much a work in progress. It seems Starter Edition has not gained much interest from vendors, nor has it generated much interest from end users." I haven't seen any sort of consumer research, but I imagine people don't like to have their number of possible network connections restrained by the host operating system.

28 of 368 comments (clear)

  1. Considering... by Mysticalfruit · · Score: 5, Funny

    That any machine they buy probably has the pirated full version of Windows XP already installed, or it can be found on the street for 5 dollars...

    --
    Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
  2. They could just sell win2000 for $5 by cheekyboy · · Score: 5, Funny

    How many billions has win2000 made? surey they could just sell that for $5 as is on a cheap cd, no box.

    They could retro fit the XP theme into 2000 and call it XP-$5 edition :)

    --
    Liberty freedom are no1, not dicks in suits.
    1. Re:They could just sell win2000 for $5 by grolschie · · Score: 2, Funny

      surey they could just sell that for $5 as is on a cheap cd, no box.

      You mean just like how they sell XP "as is" with no warranty of any kind implied?

  3. Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    ...it's actually possible to criiple XP more than Home Edition was?

  4. Irony... by Robotron23 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The "starter" software near enough fails to get started itself!

  5. Losing to another version... by levitater · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's called Windows XP Asian Street Corner Edition. Available either free or next to nothing in most metropolitan street corners in Asia.

  6. I tried to use it by snuf23 · · Score: 5, Funny

    But when the desktop came up it said I couldn't run anymore programs besides gator, hot bar and virtual bouncer.

    --
    Sometimes my arms bend back.
    1. Re:I tried to use it by pg110404 · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's interesting...

      What happens when starter edition becomes infested with spyware?

      "Sorry, you've reached your limit of spyware. To be able to run more than 30 pieces of spyware, you need to buy the full version. For a low price of $50(us) you can upgrade to the full copy, then you can run all the spyware you want"

  7. Re:Bad Marketing by subl33t · · Score: 3, Funny

    They could call it shorthorn...

    I'd still just call it Bull :P

  8. It's not the connections.... by stuffedmonkey · · Score: 2, Funny

    "I haven't seen any sort of consumer research, but I imagine people don't like to have their number of possible network connections restrained by the host operating system."

    I disagree entirely. The lack of sales has to do with the market's prefrence of Window XP: Pirate Edition - aka XP ARRRRG. Can't beat the price in developing markets :)

  9. Not just connections but running apps!!!! by SuperKendall · · Score: 2, Funny

    Doesn't it limit the user to three simultaneous apps? Who the hell would buy that, when you know the free version (pirated, what they are trying to stop) has no limits at all?

    I guess all you ever need up is a chat client, IE, and Outlook for the complete Microsoft experience.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  10. Restraining network connections is... by consumer_whore · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft's new strategy to stop the spread of worms.

  11. Erm... yeah, that must be it... by Black.Shuck · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...people who buy a Windows *Starter Edition* are surely only interested in one thing: Whether or not their network connections will be restricted. :)

  12. Re:Bad Marketing by Otter · · Score: 4, Funny
    Maybe in the coming days of Longhorn, Microsoft should sell a standard Shorthorn version, with built-in limitation.

    They're having a dispute now with the EU over the naming of the mandated WMP-stripped version of Windows.

    Microsoft (who admittedly would have a hard time making a sincere effort to market a product whose only feature is reduced functionality) wanted to call it something like "Windows XP Crippled". The EU is demanding that it be renamed something more like "Super Better Euro Windows".

  13. Re:Bad Marketing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny
    Hell, apparently you're silly enough to pay for Windows. Once you've made that leap of stupidity, how much you're willing to pay is just a question of magnitude.

  14. Re:I thought windows WAS a starter system by ettlz · · Score: 3, Funny
    Windows is the krap thing that comes with "my computer". "Starter Edition" simply defines windows.

    XP added the rounded edges to the top of the windows to make it safe for three-year-olds. Now Starter Edition builds on this innovation by being large (impossible to swallow), soft (so no-one gets hurt when the machine is ejected from a 10th floor window), and non-threatening ("My First Li'l Computer"). The default font will be Comic Sans.

    Starter Edition. What a patronising title.

  15. Ego an obstacle by Ganellon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Regardless of how a product is marketed, calling anything "starter" is essentially an intellectual snub. The manufacturer is saying to the consumer "you may not be smart enough to run the version that your neighbor is running, but here is a version just for you". Perhaps the logo on the box could be a pair of mittens and those rounded, rubberized safety scissors to really complete the insult.

  16. Re:Bad Marketing by TiggertheMad · · Score: 4, Funny

    My guess is Microsoft needs a new CEO if it is to become an interesting company again. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ballmer step down one day after a fight with institutional investors. The big question: Who is the right person for that job?

    Linus, Duh!

    With Linus's commie-granola eating hippie mentality and programming genius, and Bill's influence, money, and evil, they will be eeeennveeenceble!

    --

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  17. Re:Bad Marketing by Shadow+Wrought · · Score: 4, Funny
    My guess is Microsoft needs a new CEO if it is to become an interesting company again.

    How about Bernard Ebbers? I heard he did a great job turning Worldcom around. I wonder what he's up to these days?

    --
    If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
  18. Re:Bad Marketing by ggambett · · Score: 4, Funny

    After seeing Windows XP, I guess it will be Windows :_(

  19. Re:Bad Marketing by hawk · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe in the coming days of Longhorn, Microsoft should sell a standard Shorthorn version, with built-in limitation.

    Ah dunno 'bout where you come from, son, but after we installs a "built-in limitation" on a longhorn, we calls it a "steer" . . . :)

    hawk

  20. Re:Why pay for a crippled version by Locke2005 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Because when you pay for the crippled version, it comes with world class Microsoft support! Yes, if you find any problems in your copy of Starter Edition, you can just call up Microsoft support and they will tell you "That will be fixed when you buy our next release!"

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  21. Re:Bad Marketing by fred+fleenblat · · Score: 5, Funny

    >> My guess is Microsoft needs a new CEO ... Who is the right person for that job?

    I think Carly Fiorina is available.

  22. Off to a slow start.... by machinegunhand · · Score: 2, Funny

    To counter the effects of the slow start, Microsoft engineers are developing a slow shutdown feature.

  23. Well, he did give us... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Well, Ballmer did give us the sweaty, hyper gorilla dance.

    Developers, developers, developers, developers!

  24. Re:Maybe they should copy Apple again and go with. by emandres · · Score: 2, Funny

    or cockroach, dung beetle, maggot, etc

    --
    The only way to tell the difference between a hamster and a gerbil is that the hamster has more white meat.
  25. Re:Bad Marketing by ozric99 · · Score: 2, Funny
    Longhorn is just the codename for the next version of Windows, not the final name (atleast I hope not). Just like "Chicago" was the codename for the original Windows 95. We have yet to see what naming scheme Microsoft is actually going to market.

    I believe they're going to stick with Windows 2009.

  26. Re:it won't work by Squozen · · Score: 2, Funny

    My guess is that they specifically limited the amount of network connections to try to reduce the amount of spam zombies in Asia! My firewall will thank them.