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Average User Only Runs 2 Apps, So Microsoft Will Charge For More

Barence writes "Microsoft's decision to limit Windows 7 Starter Edition to running only three concurrent applications could force up the price of netbooks as many manufacturers opt for the more expensive Home Premium. The three-app rule includes applications running in the background but excludes antivirus, and the company claims most users wouldn't be affected by the limit. 'We ran a study which suggested that the average consumer has open just over two applications [at any time]. We would expect the limit of three applications wouldn't affect very many people.' However, Microsoft told journalists at last year's Professional Developers Conference that 70% of Windows users have between eight and 15 windows open at any one time."

28 of 842 comments (clear)

  1. Evil Empire by matt_martin · · Score: 4, Funny

    Princess Leia: The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers

    --
    Lurking in the desert
    1. Re:Evil Empire by binarylarry · · Score: 4, Funny

      Liar!

      This is a fantastic business strategy that will no doubt cause Microsoft to grow by leaps and bounds in the near future.

      As a Microsoft shareholder, I am glad my interests are being taken care of. Microsoft knows there is a huge market for crippleware and they are seizing the opportunity to corner yet another market.

      Microsoft, please continue on this fantastic path to ensure your future survival and to crush rival operating systems like Youbuntoo and Mac OS X.

      --
      Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
  2. Average User Only Runs 2 Apps... by Cornwallis · · Score: 5, Funny

    before Windows starts crashing.

    1. Re:Average User Only Runs 2 Apps... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      This reminds me those old-school adventure games where you had to manage your inventory...

      You are in front of your computer.

      > OPEN BROWSER

      Ok.

      > OPEN INSTANT MESSENGER

      Ok.

      > OPEN MAIL READER

      Ok.

      You received a cute powerpoint presentation.

      > OPEN POWERPOINT

      *BOINC*

      > CLOSE BROWSER

      Ok.

      > OPEN POWERPOINT

      You see an entertaining presentation.

      Your boss is comming by!

      > OPEN EXEL

      What is "EXEL"?

      > OPEN EXCEL

      *BOINC*

      > OPEN EXCEL

      *BOINC*

      You are fired.

    2. Re:Average User Only Runs 2 Apps... by steelfood · · Score: 4, Funny

      That's only if each piece of malware doesn't get included in the app count.

      --
      "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
  3. Intel/AMD are screwed by should_be_linear · · Score: 5, Funny

    This means that 2 cores should be enough for everybody !

    --
    839*929
  4. Just reset your clock by BrokenHalo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Of course, the obvious alternative would be for people to just dig out their old copies of Windows 3.1.

    That could cope quite well with running two applications, just so long as you didn't sneeze or look at the machine sideways. But the proviso of course applies just as much to later releases. The advantage here is that your two applications will run (or crash) blazingly fast...

    *ducks* ;-)

    1. Re:Just reset your clock by BrokenHalo · · Score: 5, Funny

      Don't you hate it when people say "whoosh"?

    2. Re:Just reset your clock by mcgrew · · Score: 4, Funny

      I whoosh you wouldn't have said that

  5. Re:DoS by mikerubin · · Score: 5, Funny

    What do you mean "IF" they get a virus?

    --
    I sat down to write a new sig tonight and all I did was make the chair warm.
  6. Is it April 1 already ? by EMB+Numbers · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it April Fool's day already ?

  7. Re:What's an 'application' to a user? by should_be_linear · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wait, Internet browser is not application, it is part of OS. At least thats what Microsoft told us.

    --
    839*929
  8. Question by PPH · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does the Ubuntu installer count as only one app?

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  9. Windows 7 by PinkyDead · · Score: 5, Funny

    Princess Leia: I'd rather kiss a Wookie.

    --
    Genesis 1:32 And God typed :wq!
  10. Re:This is why I use linux... by martin_henry · · Score: 5, Funny

    Firefox with >150 tabs (using Tree Style Tabs for nesting)

    multiple VLC video players

    That is a lot of porn!

    --
    www.purevolume.com/martyd
  11. Re:How to Count? by should_be_linear · · Score: 4, Funny

    task manager has 36 entries in the applications tab, 66 Processes, 37 open Windows.

    Easy: you are running 139 applications.

    --
    839*929
  12. Re:DoS by Bert64 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes but now they can only be infected with 3 viruses, and then subsequent ones will fail to install!

    --
    http://spamdecoy.net - free throwaway anonymous email - avoid spam!
  13. Clippy says by yanyan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hi! It looks like you're trying to run more than two applications, which is currently not allowed! Would you like to:

    - shoot yourself in the other foot (you brought this upon yourself in the first place)
    - throw a chair at the nearest bystander
    - do the monkey dance while yelling "applications applications applications!"
    - write an internal memo whining about your new netbook not being able to do actual work

  14. Re:To Err is Human--to Persist is Microsoft? by geordie_loz · · Score: 5, Funny

    Citations? Since when was slashdot wikipedia? Slashdot has never been known for verifiable facts, whereas wikipedia.... oh... wait..

  15. Microsoft genies? by xorsyst · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sounds like a standard genie agreement to me: You are allowed 3 wishes. I guess Virtualisation software is like wishing for more wishes.

    --
    Get free bitcoins: http://freebitco.in
  16. Re:This will be great for virtualization by blueZ3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Not only that, but you could just install Linux and virtualization software and have three Windows VMs open at once for a total of 9 running apps.

    This is typical of MS though--something not completely thought out that's going to have unintended consequences and where they'll change their policy after the outrage turns into a tidal wave of discontent... kinda like Congress.

    --
    Interested in a Flash-based MAME front end? Visit mame.danzbb.com
  17. Re:To Err is Human--to Persist is Microsoft? by Walt+Dismal · · Score: 5, Funny

    A Microsoft study has shown that users seldom use all 26 letters during a session, and so the economy-priced Windows 7 Functional Illiterate Edition will only support A through W and the numerals 0 through 7. However, the software will be endorsed by Sesame Street and today is brought to you by the letter "/".

  18. Re:To Err is Human--to Persist is Microsoft? by Amazing+Quantum+Man · · Score: 5, Funny

    Anything else I'm missing?

    Items 4 and 5?

    --
    Fascism starts when the efficiency of the government becomes more important than the rights of the people.
  19. Re:To Err is Human--to Persist is Microsoft? by Hordeking · · Score: 5, Funny

    If they do Starter Edition again, I agree that it is unlikely to be targeted to or even released in the US. Even excluding AV/Firewall apps from this completely fucktarded 3 app limit, I'd imagine that the group of people in the US getting computers from OEMs like Dell, particularly laptops, could include a sizeable amount of high school and college age people. These people are very likely to use media player, a web browser, and MS Word simultaneously all the time. a 3 app limit is completely bonkers. They may also want to run background apps like AIM, Skype, Bittorrent, email client (If they don't just use gmail web interface), etc etc. Restricting the main stream Windows would be epic fail for MS in that kind of market. If it really is targeted as the generic OEM version like Vista Home/XP Home is now, it should support at least 5 or 6 concurrent apps so students don't have to close AIM to write a paper, or ever have to choose between totally normal behaviour or restricted crap like that. It'll just drive up piracy of WinXP even more, or drive up support calls and angry customers.

    Don't worry. No one will ever think to crack this version to allow unlimited applications to run concurrently.

    --
    Disclaimer: The opinions and actions of the US Gov't are in no way representative of those held by this author or its ci
  20. Windows 7 Gamers Edition by nickruiz · · Score: 5, Funny

    A Microsoft study has shown that gamers seldom use all keyboard keys; and thus, Microsoft will release Windows 7 Gamers Edition, which will only support the following keys:

    • W,A,S,D
    • C,E,F,T,Q
    • F5,F6,F7,F9
    • 1,2,3,4,5
    • CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER

    Users will still be able to spray their logo.

  21. Solitaire by tritonman · · Score: 5, Funny

    What they need is Windows 7 Solitaire edition which only runs Solitaire, this would probably satisfy a good 75% of users.

  22. New for Windows 8! by gabrieltss · · Score: 4, Funny

    New for Windows 8 will be the "Time Sharing" version. This version of Windows will be cheaper yet, you will get 1 hour tiwce a day of computer time, you get to run 1 program at a time and get 10 megs of file storage. All for the low price of $29.99. If you wish to get more time on Windows, you can just call Micro$oft at 1-666-666-6666 and buy more time, they take Visa, Mastercard, American Express and PayPal.

    --
    The Truth is a Virus!!!
  23. Re:To Err is Human--to Persist is Microsoft? by EEBaum · · Score: 4, Funny

    If Windows would impose a limit preventing all those useless helper apps from running, I'd consider it a feature and may forego upgrading from Starter Edition.

    --
    -- I prefer the term "karma escort."