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Microsoft Donates Windows 8.1 To Nonprofit Organizations

Posted by samzenpus on from the you-get-a-copy-and-you-get-a-copy... dept.

An anonymous reader writes in with good news for Windows loving nonprofits and libraries. "Microsoft today announced the availability of Windows 8.1 for nonprofits. The move is an extension of the company's nod to the nonprofit community with the launch Windows 8. The announcement means eligible nonprofit organizations and public libraries can request Windows 8.1 through Microsoft's software donation program."

135 of 224 comments (clear)

  1. How white of Microsoft! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Now those non-profits will not have to look towards free alternatives such as Linux! True humanitarians.

    1. Re:How white of Microsoft! by supremebob · · Score: 4, Funny

      They should throw in some "free" Surface RT tablets while they are at it. It seems that they have a few thousand of them to spare...

    2. Re:How white of Microsoft! by WaywardGeek · · Score: 5, Funny

      I am sure you just can't wait for the Windows 8.1 update! Just imagine how happy we'll all be! After all the outrage and frustration over Windows 8 losing it's "start" menu, Windows 8.1 is here to save the day! Now, that old start menu that used to do something useless... listing all of your applications so you could find them... has been replaced! Now it takes you directly to the Metro UI, where you can barf all over your keyboard! Happy day!

      --
      Celebrate failure, and then learn from it - Nolan Bushnell
    3. Re:How white of Microsoft! by interkin3tic · · Score: 1

      I vaguely recall an instance where protesters or activists were arrested by police over trumped up charges of pirating Windows. I can't find anything on google, or recall any more details like whether it was in Russia or here, so take that as you will.

    4. Re:How white of Microsoft! by ALeader71 · · Score: 1

      So the often out-of-date workstations that fill libraries can now be overloaded with Windows 8. The librarians can spend hours training the public to use Windows 8 instead of helping them find books and information. Notice MS Office isn't included.

      --
      Only the dead have seen the end of War. - Plato
    5. Re:How white of Microsoft! by lsatenstein · · Score: 1

      I am sure you just can't wait for the Windows 8.1 update! Just imagine how happy we'll all be! After all the outrage and frustration over Windows 8 losing it's "start" menu, Windows 8.1 is here to save the day! Now, that old start menu that used to do something useless... listing all of your applications so you could find them... has been replaced! Now it takes you directly to the Metro UI, where you can barf all over your keyboard! Happy day!

      ===
      While we think Linux is the great and be all for everyone, it is not the case. Windows 7, in a business environment is a good product. Before you kick me, I have been a diehard Linux user for 10 years. Windows is a commerical product with dollars behind it to insure the products meet corporate user needs.

      Libreoffice, without a ribbon and with java as the implementation is not responsive. You end up sometimes waiting a few precious seconds as garbage collection takes off, or memory compaction occurs. There must be no stalls in execution and there must be excellent compatibility.

      A product out of China is what I am using (kingsoft) as my office product. I write with it in Linux, and MS office can't tell the difference. It is my Linux saviour.

      But in development, I rely on the free compiler suite to get my work done otherwise. MS is doing what it can to remain in the public's eye.

      --
      Leslie Satenstein Montreal Quebec Canada
  2. Charity? Or PR? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The real goal is "we want more people to choose to accept windows 8.x than would rather accept herpes"

    1. Re:Charity? Or PR? by hawkingradiation · · Score: 3, Insightful

      More likely an attempt to prevent more organizations switching to Linux as the first poster suggested (and in his sarcasm was modded down). Are they going to donate the computers that run them too? Looks like a lot of slashdotters have caught on to this wayward attempt to build users and acceptance.

      --
      Society use your Sciences
  3. FTFY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Microsoft today announced the availability of Windows 8.1 for tax avoiders. The move is an extension of the company's nod to the tax avoidance community with the launch Windows 8. The announcement means eligible tax adverse institutions and public libraries can request Windows 8.1 through Microsoft's software donation program.

    Income earned from interest paid by "non-profits" is tax exempt. That's why all the new hospitals are "non-profits" financed with billions in tax exempt bonds.

    1. Re:FTFY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1
      You may jest, but I suspect MS will be able to claim tax benefits for the "donations" based on the retail price of the OS.

      In other words, they'll be making money from taxpayers themselves.

    2. Re:FTFY by Sir_Sri · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Yep.

      I'm at a university and we do this all the time. IBM gave us 'millions' in software, that was a burned CD with some stuff on it (not my research group so I'm not really sure what exactly, but something related to distributed computing).

      My group got a '4 million dollar' donation which was all of the source code for a project a small company had worked on for 10 years with 5 major versions.

      Whatever that MSRP headline number was is what they could claim as a tax break. Didn't matter if it was absurdly unrelated to the actual value or not.

    3. Re:FTFY by flyingfsck · · Score: 1

      And that my friend, is the reason detre for the FSF, the BSD, Apache and Mozilla foundations (and numerous others) too.

      --
      Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!
    4. Re:FTFY by gl4ss · · Score: 1

      and if they didn't offer 8.1 for the same they would be fucked.

      why? because 8 pesters you to press a button to update to 8.1, so probably a large number of these organizations are running 8.1 anyways if they ran 8.

      but they're giving 8/8.1 for free for anyone who ask and plenty of organizations who don't even ask. this is mostly what the billion dollars of 8 marketing went to

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    5. Re:FTFY by jmac_the_man · · Score: 1

      In other words, they'll be making money from taxpayers themselves.

      Someone doesn't understand how taxes work.

    6. Re:FTFY by dcw3 · · Score: 1

      In other words, they'll be making money from taxpayers themselves.

      Someone doesn't understand how taxes work.

      Maybe you could clarify it for us.

      --
      Just another day in Paradise
    7. Re:FTFY by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      Really? I'm on Windows 8 and nothing has yet to ask me to push a button to update it. I only saw its existence once by actually taking the effort to go to their store. Now maybe people who go to the store often might see it as one of the things to get. Meanwhile every single day Firefox is nagging me to get their updates.

    8. Re:FTFY by jmac_the_man · · Score: 1
      Surely.

      Taxes are a cost to taxpayers. They pay money that they've rightfully earned to the government, and the government performs the essential functions of government. It's something like the relationship between a business and its customers: Microsoft's customers pay money to Microsoft that the customer rightfully earned, and in exchange, Microsoft gives them a copy of Windows 8 or whatever.

      Changing the law to end tax deductions on charitable donations would be a tax increase. It's wrong in the economic sense to call "not increasing taxes" a "cost" to the government, just like it's wrong to call Microsoft not raising prices on its operating system a "cost" to Microsoft.

      The reason that I objected, however, is that the way you phrased it implies that Microsoft has the government's money. It doesn't. Microsoft has Microsoft's money that customers agreed to pay them in exchange for products that they wanted. Microsoft pays some of its money in taxes to pay for the essential functions of government. The government is doing a lot of things beyond the essential functions of government. If you think the government should be spending more money on whatever your issue is, maybe you should try re-prioritizing the government's already record breaking revenue.

    9. Re:FTFY by dcw3 · · Score: 1

      I think you're misunderstanding. The AC above (not me, as you implied) stated...
      "MS will be able to claim tax benefits for the "donations" based on the retail price of the OS. In other words, they'll be making money from taxpayers themselves"

      And, you clearly disagree. I read his statement as saying that if MS would have paid X dollars in taxes on their income, and now is paying Y, because they made a charitable donation, which really didn't cost them anything but the licensing, then they've successfully avoided taxes they would have normally paid, and in a rather sleazy (but legal) way. So, the difference between X & Y is lost to the government, and thus all of us, because it would have gone to services we all pay for, and now it just piles onto the national debt.

      Now, you've brought another issue into the discussion, that you believe (as do I) that the government is already spending more than they should. I in no way disagree with you on that, but it is secondary to the points above.

      --
      Just another day in Paradise
    10. Re:FTFY by jmac_the_man · · Score: 1

      The AC above (not me, as you implied)

      You're right. My apologies.

      So, the difference between X & Y is lost to the government

      Right. I addressed this in my comment. The government provides benefits (the essential functions of government) for a cost (taxes). It's incorrect from an economic standpoint to call a service provider forgoing a rate increase a "cost" to the service provider. Xbox Live is a service too, one for which I pay Microsoft $60 a year. I'd probably pay $70, but that extra $10 isn't a "cost" to Microsoft.
      In any case, phrasing the lack of a tax increase as a "cost to the government" implies that the lack of that tax increase is a "benefit to the company." Once you start thinking of "somebody else's taxes lower than I'd like" as an undeserved benefit to them, it becomes easy to justify the tax increase. This is an insidious way to argue, and it's wrong from an economic and moral standpoint.

      So, the difference between X & Y is lost to the government and thus all of us, because it would have gone to services we all pay for

      If the government is squandering the money, like they do with so much of tax revenue, the money is lost to "all of us" whether the government takes it from Microsoft or not.

    11. Re:FTFY by dcw3 · · Score: 1

      So, I think we're mostly in agreement, but the sticking point is that we're not all equal when it comes to tax breaks such as this. I don't blame MS for taking advantage of every legal break they can find. I just think it's unfair to the rest of us who can't participate in such fortune.

      --
      Just another day in Paradise
  4. I wonder by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    will the FSF be signing up for this?

    1. Re:I wonder by InTheSwiss · · Score: 1

      Doing so would be great actually. Buying licenses for Windows in order to build and test Windows builds cost money at the end of the day and free licenses make it a little easier for the developers and testers.

    2. Re:I wonder by Lumpy · · Score: 2

      They should. and claim they have well over 10 million employees. Then start a part of their website where you can ask to be an employee to get a free install of 8.1

      Suddenly the value of windows drops to the floor as you will have people flocking to become "employees" of the corporation and getting free install keys.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    3. Re:I wonder by billcarson · · Score: 1

      Wouldn't it be fun to see Stallman swap his MIPS netbook for a MS Surface?

    4. Re:I wonder by hendrikboom · · Score: 1

      Well, it might be useful to review and assess the competition.

      -- hendrik

    5. Re:I wonder by ApplePy · · Score: 1

      or loss to an asshoel corporation that should die anyway?

      Meh. I hope Windows is around for a long time. I make good money fixing it. Besides, if everyone ran Linux, I wouldn't get to feel smug about it.

      --
      That I'm right, and you don't like it, doesn't mean I'm a troll.
    6. Re:I wonder by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      Basically all they'd get would be license codes at a web site plus a copy in an email. So they could shred the email in a ceremony perhaps.

  5. In related news... by sarkeizen · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...rattlesnake ranchers donate dozens of specimens to local playgrounds.

    1. Re:In related news... by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Slashdot jumped the shark a decade ago, you are just far too new to have ever seen it in it's glory days...

      Slashdot glory days... GET OFF MY LAWN!

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    2. Re:In related news... by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      I'm still waiting for something to jump the shark. That sounds like something interesting to watch on ESPN8.

  6. Windows 8.x is horrible! by lasermike026 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I wouldn't use it if it was free. Windows 8.x is the most horrible operating system I have ever experienced. I can't think of a worse OS. If this doesn't end the Windows OS I don't know what will. It was so frustrating I returned the laptop. The replacement system will be a Mac and not because it was my first choice. It will be a Mac because Windows 8.x is unusable.

    1. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by smash · · Score: 1

      Whilst I am a mac owner (posting this from my macbook), clearly you haven't used Windows 95, Windows ME or DOS.

      --
      I run: Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD. Just because you have a hammer, doesn't mean everything is a nail.
    2. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I wouldn't use it if it was free.

      and linux has been free for 20 years and 98% of people still dont use it on their desktop.

      It will be a Mac because Windows 8.x is unusable.

      Unusable? Really? Different, yes. Not to your liking, sure I can see that. But "unusable"? If you actually do find it to be "unusable" then the defective component here is you. Let's try and be realistic rather than exaggerating hmm? All it does is make you look stupid.

    3. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by casab1anca · · Score: 1

      Okay, I can agree with you on Windows ME, but DOS and Windows 95 were both pretty darn good for their time.

    4. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by casab1anca · · Score: 1

      Mac has supported multi-button mice for years now. And Windows 8's touch interface isn't actually bad on touch devices, most people complain because they don't like it on a desktop.

    5. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by exomondo · · Score: 1

      And Windows 8's touch interface isn't actually bad on touch devices, most people complain because they don't like it on a desktop.

      I agree, on a touchscreen it's actually really good. On the desktop not so much, but then again I don't really see it on the desktop anyway in fact there's very little need to use it at all outside of launching applications that aren't on the desktop or pinned to the taskbar and once you're using your applications (which is the point anyway) they aren't any different.

    6. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      What exactly was wrong with Windows ME? I ran it on my own computer for almost 2 years without a re-install. It also ran on my mother's and sister's computer without any major problems. I did however disable system restore and WBEM after installation. Not sure if those were the issue but I didn't see a need for them. I found Windows ME to be more reliable than Windows 98 which more than once would boot up with a driver (video, audio, printer) that mysteriously vanishes and requires re-installation of said driver. I remember once reading on a website someone who bought a computer with Windows ME installed. They had a lot of problems and the real problem ended up being a defective hard drive. Though the company replaced the hard drive, they still blamed Windows ME for the failure. I have a feeling the bad perception of Windows ME isn't based on factual events, rather just replicating the hearsay and rumors of others.

    7. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by Stormwatch · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Windows 8 is an unusable operating system in the same sense as Comic Sans is an unusable font.

      --
      Circumcision is child abuse.
    8. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by casab1anca · · Score: 1

      I don't think anything was "wrong" as such with Windows ME, but there weren't any significant additions to justify the cost of upgrading; it should have probably just been released as a service pack to Windows 98. It didn't also help that Windows 2000 was released around the same time, and being based off the NT kernel, was a better choice than ME.

    9. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by I'm+New+Around+Here · · Score: 4, Interesting

      As a tech who worked on many systems from DOS, Windows 3.x, Win95, Win95 w/ FAT32, Win98, Win98SE, WinNT4.0, and WinME, I can say that indeed WinME was the biggest pain in the ass to work on when there were problems. Win98 had issues of not powering off after shutting down. WinNT had issues of hardware compatibility, and all versions tend to forget about printers from time to time.

      But when something went wrong, there were definite steps that technicians could do to resolve it. Microsoft decided that made too much sense, and with WinME they broke established procedures that worked quite well before that. It's been over a decade now, so I don't remember specifics, but it was a nightmare for a while. Then everyone moved on to Win2k or WinXP, and we all pretended WinME never existed.

      --
      If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.
    10. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      I've used every single version of Microsoft OS since DOS 3.2 and Win 8.x is by far the worst of them all. I'd *much* rather run Vista, it's that bad. Vista was immature before SP1 and the drivers weren't ready at RTM but now it's not quite as bad. WinME was mostly pointless and short lived. Win95 was a huge leap forward from MS-DOS and Win 3.x. DOS probably wasn't the absolute best for its time but it was cheap, common, good enough, and mainly far superior to what most people were using on 8 bit computers of the time.

      Win 8.x is user hostile. It was the worst GUI of *any* operating system I've ever used in the last 15 years, literally. I'd rather use the UI from any previous version of Windows, or OS X, or GNOME/KDE/Unity... Hell, I'd even rather use iOS or Android over that! Nothing is anywhere near as bad, un-intuitive, nor gets in your way as much.

      All this because they decided that they're now a "devices" company with Apple envy. Too bad nobody wants of those devices I guess. Meanwhile, they've given the finger repeatedly to their established user base: desktop users, businesses, sysadmins, developers and all. Of course people will turn to iOS and Android even more now. Win7 is the best OS by far IMO but that's where it seems end... I really enjoyed the last 25 years of MS products but MS put an abrupt end to it.

    11. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by gunzy83 · · Score: 2

      I wouldn't use it if it was free.

      and linux has been free for 20 years and 98% of people still dont use it on their desktop.

      While I think desktop use of the OS is underestimated, most normal people (your 98%) wouldn't install their own OS (let alone know that Linux even exists). Of those that would, many would just be reinstalling a clean Windows install either to keep it performant or clean manufacturer installed bloatware (and because of games but that is slowly changing). Also, almost all new PCs that are not Macs ship with Windows by default because of Microsoft's monopolistic actions in the past and their current OEM/refund tricks that have a subtle monopoly reinforcing effect. Is it any wonder things are the way they are?

    12. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by Fishchip · · Score: 1

      Your idea of what is truly usable must be astonishingly preschool.

    13. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by cashman73 · · Score: 1

      It will be a Mac because Windows 8.x is unusable.

      Actually, the Intel-based Macs can run any version of Windows, either natively or virtually. The problem is, no Mac user wants to touch Windows 8.x with a 30 foot pole, either. Heck, even MacOS 1.0 was better than Windows 8.x by a mile!

    14. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by ahabswhale · · Score: 1, Funny

      Wow, I'm trying to figure out how you could be more of a blatant Micorsoft shill but I can't think of anything.

      --
      Are agnostics skeptical of unicorns too?
    15. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by kangsterizer · · Score: 1

      or you can just install classicshell

    16. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by smash · · Score: 1

      Uh... no. DOS was pretty bad, even in it's day. Windows 95 was inferior to most of its contemporaries (e.g., OS 2), it was just marketed well.

      --
      I run: Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD. Just because you have a hammer, doesn't mean everything is a nail.
    17. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by smash · · Score: 1

      Windows ME : It had all of the stability of Windows 95 (16/32 bit hybrid), and most of the inccompatibility of Windows 2000 (removed DOS and used Windows 2000 ish driver model). It was an unhappy compromise between the two and had the disadvantages of both. If your software all worked with Windows ME, Windows 2000 was a far better option.

      --
      I run: Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD. Just because you have a hammer, doesn't mean everything is a nail.
    18. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by smash · · Score: 1

      The UI may be user hostile, i'll grant you that, but I can live with that. at least it is stable and performance isn't bad. Windows 3.x was a bug-ridden pile of shit. Short 8.3 filenames. No native TCP/IP stack.

      --
      I run: Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD. Just because you have a hammer, doesn't mean everything is a nail.
    19. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by gunzy83 · · Score: 1

      because it is irrelevant. people just want to use their applications and moving to linux doesnt make that any better in fact it makes it worse.

      It is relevant. The only route to mainstream desktop Linux adoption currently is install it yourself, something that most users would not do whether or not they knew it was an option.

      in addition to Macs there are quite a large range of Chromebooks now which have taken off bigger than any traditional Linux distro ever has.

      OSX is pre-installed. ChromeOS is pre-installed. Many of the applications "people just want to use" don't exist on those platforms either. This is very much the case on ChromeOS where it has less applications than desktop Linux but that has not stopped it from taking off. The lack of Linux pre-installs on hardware from major manufacturers and subsequently on the showroom floor of brick and mortar shops is the single biggest factor in play here.

    20. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 4, Interesting

      funny, I think android is about as bad as win95 or 3.x.

      it sort of gets the job done, but its annoying and painful to try to work with.

      I would not be so annoyed if android was the product of a 10 or 50 man company. but the 'mighty google'? I would expect nothing less than perfection and vision from such self-professed geniuses.

      instead, there are stupid limitations and even cut/paste is annoying and difficult. want to grab an address from an email and locate it on a map? rarely works unless it fits an exact format of what an 'address' is supposed to be. more often than not, you can't click on addresses in email text. fuck! what a piece of shit.

      face it, its a vehicle for ad delivery. plain and simple; just enough to do that mission yet not free enough to do what YOU want unless you root and go around things. yes, apple is worse, but they don't solely exist just to delivery ads. google is ONLY about ads, these days. if you get in their way, they fuck with you and make your life harder than it should be.

      I remember old windows and how annoying it was compared to old vax/vmx, unix and other os's of the ancient era. android gives me the same 'damn, they could have made it great but they didn't' feeling.

      --

      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
    21. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by flyingfsck · · Score: 1

      The worst? Then obviously you have not used either GnomeIII or Unity...

      --
      Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!
    22. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 3, Insightful
      Dell tried a few years ago to offer desktops with Linux pre-installed instead of Windows. It didn't work. Customers were confused and upset that their Windows programs didn't work, and that it wasn't as easy to use as Windows is.

      The truth is, Linux really doesn't offer the average desktop computer user anything over Windows. Ok, so Dell doesn't have to pay Microsoft $40 for the OEM copy of Windows, big deal. That isn't the make or break reason for a customer to change OS on their machine.

      The truth is, Windows has been "good enough" for a very long time, Windows XP was finally the OS that killed any chance of something else stepping up to the plate.

    23. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by flyingfsck · · Score: 1

      Hmm, there are billions of Linux netbooks, smart phones and tablets out there - an order of magnitude more than the total number of Windows machines ever shipped. I don't see the long queues of people returning them that you are implying.

      --
      Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!
    24. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by flyingfsck · · Score: 1

      Any version of Windows is perfectly fine if you only ever run one or two MS Office applications.

      --
      Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!
    25. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by tftp · · Score: 1

      Uh... no. DOS was pretty bad, even in it's day.

      MS DOS + Norton Commander = a solution that was faster than most modern file managers.

      Windows 95 was inferior to most of its contemporaries (e.g., OS 2)

      OS/2 was just a bad product. I used it. Perhaps the kernel had its positive sides, being true 32-bit and all, but overall the OS was nearly unusable. Start with selection of ugliest fonts on the planet, then move to the selection of ugly widgets, then address the programming model... there was hardly anything inspiring in the OS/2. Windows was far lighter - and though it crashed a lot until NT, it was faster when it worked.

    26. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by Artifakt · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I ran Win ME for about 2 years, about the same time as I started using Linux (on seperate boxes). It did run with better uptimes/stability than Win 98 SE, so I think I'm agreeing with your "more reliable" opinion. I liked Win 98 well enough, especially SE. Storm Linux 2000 didn't seem all that impressive compared to either version of Windows around that time, but Linux gradually pulled ahead, at least in my book. I still support Windows boxes at work and for family, and liked XP (after the first Service Pack came out), and 7's not too bad, but for me, Linux has pulled ahead on several counts.

                  There were a few real things wrong with Win ME, even for its time. I like fancy desktops and skinnable programs, so I started running and designing skins for various freeware programs that could 'fake' "Alpha channel" transparency in 98, produce non-rectangular windows, and generally enhance Windows visuals - XXCalc, Sonique, Kjofol, early versions of Winamp, Beatnik Internet clock, several translucent notepad variants, little programs such as that. I learned to hack the Windows 98 registry to make the background behind icon text transparent, change the start menu clock fonts, and many other little tricks, mostly for the same reason, When ME came along, It broke a great many things along these lines in the freeware customization scene, even though it supposedly didn't have any significant advances in transparency rendering, by its own admission. Microsoft did so many strange things in the registry (changing an enormous number of variable types from numeric to Boolean, or vice versa, where it just plain wasn't sensible, or, even more often, telling developers that a variable was now of some type, but experimenting with it proved it wasn't.), I swiftly got the feeling they were trying to obfuscate the registry, (and for that matter DLLs and video support) just to make it impossible for third parties to work with them unless they had the financial status to become what Microsoft was starting to call Microsoft Trusted Partners. To me, it came off as petty, as though Microsoft felt insulted anyone was trying to change the desktop appearance that much.
                  After a few months, there were more serious freeware programs that started running into the same thing, I.e. there were early replacements for Windows Explorer that added some real functionality, such as multi-pane versions, or search tools that let the user do searches with the full range of regular expressions, or adaptations of most of the Berkeley UNIX command line tools, or drive defragmenting programs that ran about 800% faster than the stock Defrag. It seemed like every time Microsoft announced a patch for something, it broke some other functionality, far removed from what they said the patch was supposed to do, and adversely impacted these freeware programs. I don't know if Microsoft did any of that deliberately - but I do know that several of those programmers who stopped updating their freeware creations damned sure thought it was deliberate.

      --
      Who is John Cabal?
    27. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by smash · · Score: 1

      I'd agree with that. I've been saying for a while now that Android is the MS-Windows of the mobile world. Run any code you want, install stuff from anywhere, rely on the end user for security enforcement. Unfortunately that has been proven time and time again to be a liability.

      --
      I run: Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD. Just because you have a hammer, doesn't mean everything is a nail.
    28. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Is it really though? Metro is just as easy to use as the Windows 7 start bar and just as fast, there is a trick you see? Type the first 2 or 3 letters of the program you want to run and hit enter. No mouse scrolling through a multi-level maze of start menu hell, just type and go. If you really want to speed things up, pin your most used programs right to the metro start page and you can get at them with one click/poke.
       
      I really don't get what all the hype is about, it acts the same as windows past but now program selection has its on screen. I've run into very few programs that don't run well or at all on windows 8 and they are from the early 90's so I'm not too broke up over it. God forbid your habits be ever so slightly modified.

    29. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by SenseiLeNoir · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I have both 7 Ultimate and 8.1 on my computer (dual boot on seperate SSDs). Her is my positives and negatives of Windows 8 over win 7.

      Positives:
      - Really fast and smooth compared to Win 7. The difference is noticeable, even in boot up.
      - I am not too bothered with metro itself, nor do I care much for the loss of the start menu. Rarely used it on seven other than to open frequently used app, or search for other apps. I rarely even know whats on my start menu aall programs list, as its hardly used)
      - Lightweight. It appears that Microsoft have finally got rid of some in built junk
      - Metro apps have their uses. I can think of many types of apps that I would rather not have to install into my windows system normally (as an admin no less) complete with the potential to add further junk to my system folders complete with system wide spyware, and being unable to guarentee a clean uninstall. Metro apps seem to be a bit better isolated.

      Negatives:
      - Metro apps are still tooo touch focused, and certain things are less intuitiuve with KB and mouse only.
      - MEtro apps and dual monitors. Despite the improvements in Windows 8.1, there are still huge usability problems still existing for dual screen users. For example, when running a metro app on the left hand screen, its more involved to bring up the charms panel with just the mouse. Whereas with a single screen, you can blindly flick the mouse up and to the right until it gets to the upper right corner to bring up the charms panel, with a dual monitor, the mouse will simply go to the next screen, making the user have to concentrate more in actually positioning the pointer in the exact region to show the panel.
      - I still feel the desktop UI is very poor. I enjoyed aero on Win vista, and more so on 7. The transparency effects give me a lot of cues to order, and overlap. The new UI is frankly ugly, and personally a lot worse than win 7.

      --
      Have a nice day!
    30. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by jones_supa · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I used to rant a lot about the Start Screen and the Modern UI in general, but now I have to admit that the 8.1 upgrade has fixed enough things that I can swallow the new UI. After that, there's quite a lot of performance and usability improvements which make me prefer the OS over Windows 7.

    31. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by jones_supa · · Score: 1

      You are a moron. :P

    32. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by smash · · Score: 1
      MS DOS = 8.3 filenames, no memory protection, real mode 640kb barrier, no multitasking, etc.

      MS DOS was a bootloader. Both DOS and WIndows 95 were beaten in functionality by GEOS on the Commodore C64.

      --
      I run: Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD. Just because you have a hammer, doesn't mean everything is a nail.
    33. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      yes, apple is worse, but they don't solely exist just to delivery ads.

      Right, they exist solely to exploit fanboys' need to spend money, and to produce lock-in, and to abuse patents. Seriously, you can't even mention them in the same breath.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    34. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by csumpi · · Score: 1

      I'm pretty sure it can run msoffice, although never tried it.

      My use case is more like this: photoshop, illustrator, with multiple 2k+ files open, visual studio debugging through vmware and live injecting code updates. Peppered with some misc editor, chrome and whatnot.

      On a laptop.

      Make me happy.

    35. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by ausekilis · · Score: 1

      funny, I think android is about as bad as win95 or 3.x.

      it sort of gets the job done, but its annoying and painful to try to work with.

      I would not be so annoyed if android was the product of a 10 or 50 man company. but the 'mighty google'? I would expect nothing less than perfection and vision from such self-professed geniuses.

      ...

      I remember old windows and how annoying it was compared to old vax/vmx, unix and other os's of the ancient era. android gives me the same 'damn, they could have made it great but they didn't' feeling.

      You must not have tried Cyanogenmod. Prior to flashing my phone with CM10 (Android 4.3), I was running 2.3.4 on my phone, loaded with AT&T crapware. My battery lasted maybe one day. Constantly whining about updates to the AT&T bloatware, using data behind the scenes to provide updates I didn't sign up for and didn't care about from AT&T, some google apps, and other nonsense they decided to throw on there. All the crap behind the scenes made my phone slow and unresponsive.

      Since I loaded CM10 and got rid of all the vendor crapware, my phone is actually much faster and handles multitasking much better. I only occasionally have issues with cut and paste (depends on the app). Since I have root access, I threw on DroidWall and blocked all unwanted network traffic, data usage has gone down.

      Don't get me wrong, I agree that what you get from AT&T/T-Mobile/Sprint/Whoever is total crap and the phone manufacturers should be ashamed to have such shit software loaded on/associated with their phones. Google is an ad business, they make their money from the ads served by their servers, of course they are going to put them in, and yes, they are annoying... but that is also an app-by-app thing. The blame is not solely on Google, blame the providers, manufacturers, and app developers who for some ungodly reason want to make money from their work.

    36. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by garyoa1 · · Score: 1

      Never had a problem with ME either. And it was much easier to network with than previous versions.

      --
      Wuddooeyeno? IITYWYBMAD? Like nuts? eclecticallyincorrect.com
    37. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by NJRoadfan · · Score: 1

      Windows 8 removes the F8 boot menu. Makes getting into Safe Mode interesting when you can't boot a machine and tell it to run Safe Mode. I have read that pressing Shift+F8 is supposed to do the trick now, but I haven't gotten it to work.

    38. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by mcgrew · · Score: 1

      I lived with 8.3 filenames for well over a decade (W95 had them if you ran Norton Desktop). No native TCP/IP stack didn't keep me off of bulletin boards or the internet. But a bad UI is a productivity killer.

      If given a choice between DOS 3.1 and Win8, I'll take DOS.

      --
      Free Martian Whores!
    39. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      DOS was decades behind it's time when it was new, although it seemed pretty good in the home and hobbyist computer world.

    40. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      And of course MS DOS was conceptually stuck in the 60's. Compare it to CP/M and it's not bad, but compared to Unix V7, OS 360, PLATO, TOPS 10, and others, all of which came much earlier, it was a primitive toy. The fact that MS DOS was kept around even after PCs became more powerful and was used for important office applications was surprising

    41. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      I never dealt with DOS 3.1 that much, because I always had access to real systems running Unix or VMS at work, so why deal with something so primitive at home? Even the competition was vastly better, both non-PC systems like Amiga or Atari ST or Macintosh, as well as other stuff for the PC like GEOS.

    42. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      What's wrong with Mac keyboards? Sure no Windows key but I rarely use that on Windows. Other than that it's nearly identical.

      There are some Windows 8 quirks but on the desktop it's going to be very familiar to Windows 7 users except for the boneheaded move of dumping the start menu. And I like the flat look better than the flashy Win7 Aero. Get a third party start menu replacement and the majority of complaints resolve themselves. Windows 8 is smaller than its predecessor, probably a first for Microsoft.

      On the other hand, ALL of its apps are useless in the same way that all apps for smart phones are useless, but even more so. Plus even the free apps require you to be tracked by getting a microsoft account, with no side avenue to acquire them. All their built in apps, every single last one of them, are either broken in some way or no better than a web page, they're unintuitive, difficult to use, buggy, and spend more time presenting you with flash rather than substance. Ie, on a large wide screen monitor most of that area is wasted with very large fonts, unrelated images, and blank space, as if you were giving a PowerPoint presentation. The built in Metro apps all feel like summer intern projects, and not from CS student interns either.

    43. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by timmyf2371 · · Score: 1

      I have recently switched from Mac to Windows 8.1 after living in the Mac world for 5-6 years (at home).

      The difference is like night and day. It might not be as "simple" but I can actually set up my computer exactly how I want it and make it adapt to my workflow and not the other way round. All the freeware utility software you take for granted on Windows just isn't available for Mac.

      And if I ever end up using a Mac again and the OS takes focus from what I'm doing and decides to activate another window (because the other app asked for focus) then I will throw said Mac out of the window :-)

      --

      Backup not found: (A)bort (R)etry (P)anic
    44. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by mcgrew · · Score: 1

      I was dealing with far more primitive computers in the early eighties; TS-1000, TRS-80, Apple IIe as a programming hobbyist. Mid '80s I got a job that needed dealing with IBM PCs and XTs, bought a used XT about 1988. I was writing (and playing) games at home since about 1983. By 1990 I was writing databases in dBase and later on the mainframe in NOMAD at work. Didn't start using Linux until around 2002. At work they have me using (UGH!) Access now, glad I retire next year. Haven't done any real programming in a decade. On the mainframe all I did was submit the code, I didn't administer it or anything so I have no idea what its operating environment was like.

      --
      Free Martian Whores!
    45. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by exomondo · · Score: 1

      Hmm, there are billions of Linux netbooks, smart phones and tablets out there - an order of magnitude more than the total number of Windows machines ever shipped.

      I'd be really interested to know where you get than info from. The popularity of Netbooks was extremely shortlived and smartphones have only just finally had a quarter where they've actually surpassed PC sales, I doubt there are as many Linux netbooks, smartphones and tablets in existence than Windows machines, much less an order of magnitude more than ever shipped.

    46. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by I'm+New+Around+Here · · Score: 1

      As a tech who worked on many systems from DOS, Windows 3.x, Win95, Win95 w/ FAT32, Win98, Win98SE, WinNT4.0, and WinME, I can say that indeed WinME was the biggest pain in the ass to work on when there were problems.

      Great! Finally! I've been waiting for someone to give me a detailed technical explanation as to why Windows ME was such a problem and what parts of Windows ME's design caused those problems.

      It's been over a decade now, so I don't remember specifics, but it was a nightmare for a while.

      Fuck you, troll.

      Right back at ya.

      --
      If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.
    47. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 1

      I have cm7 on my n1 phone. it was marginally better but still was android down to the core, and that's the problem.

      it was all about google and it still is. the thinking and planning was just not done well enough and the 'evolution' really shows it.

      it was a 'ship it, quick!' effort and again, it shows thru and thru, CM or not. google did a half-assed job and few people call them on it.

      again, for a small company, I'd be forgiving as hell and say 'good effort!'. but for the mighty google, I expect absolute perfection (their people think of themselves as being at that level). so I never give google a pass when they show a bad design or lack of forsight. if you act like you walk on water and then you don't end up doing it, you deserve to get called on it!

      --

      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
    48. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by mcgrew · · Score: 1

      The truth is, Linux really doesn't offer the average desktop computer user anything over Windows.

      No? how about doing in 3 clicks what takes Windows 12? Or not having to reboot once a month? Not having to have the computer unusable for 30 minutes or so because Windows is patching itself? Not having to reboot at all, ever? How about Linux upgrades being a single click and you're done? How about being able to hit the power switch and have it come up from dead off to the desktop with all the programs and apps open like they were before you shut it off, with no user intervention except the "on" button, fully password-protected?

      How about being able to use movies for wallpaper and screen saver? How about being able to network with a Windows computer without having a Win7Pro computer running on the network?

      How about having all the apps you need installed from the get-go?

      Let me tell you about bluetooth on Win vs Lin. I bought a tiny dongle and thought it wouldn't work on my Linux tower because it only had install files for Windows and Mac. So I install the files in the notebook, reboot (of course, why in the hell does Windows need to be booted so often?), wait for the drivers to load, reboot again.

      Lets see if I can get it to work in the Linux tower. I plug it in and... an icon appears in the tray. It's ready to use.

      I've been using Windows since I upgraded from DOS, and Linux for about ten years. Linux is superior in every way. The only thing Windows will do that Linux won't is run Windows programs. Other than that, kubuntu beats every version of windows from 95 to 7 hands down.

      --
      Free Martian Whores!
    49. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      No? how about doing in 3 clicks what takes Windows 12? Or not having to reboot once a month?

      That isn't enough of a reason to get people to move. The average person turns on their computer and opens IE, perhaps Quicken, plays a few games, and maybe opens Office to get some work done. They neither know nor care about those differences.

      Linux is superior in every way.

      Lets say that is true for a minute... from a technical point of view...

      The problem is that it isn't superior in the ways that matter to the average user. The programs that the average user already knows are Windows programs and they have little interest in buying or learning new programs, even if they are free. I've used OpenOffice, it is nice, but it won't replace MS Office any time soon.

      The benefits you see are only visible to tech people, and we're outnumbered 100 to 1 by Joe Consumer.

      If Linux was so wonderful, then it would have gained some traction, but it hasn't for many reasons beyond the technical. Yes, for a long time MS used its position to prevent anyone else from coming along, that mattered more back in the Win 3.1 and Win 95 days, but as I said, once Windows XP came out, it largely no longer mattered, XP was "good enough" for most people.

      With Windows 7, they have further cemented that place, for any driver issues that XP ever had, 7 fixed most of them. I used to keep a USB stick with drivers for almost everything I had to support with me whenever I was working on XP boxes. With 7, I have stopped bothering because the vast majority of stuff auto installs without a hitch (or a reboot).

      XP required a lot of rebooting, 7 requires a lot less. Still some, but for the average user it just isn't an issue.

      There is a reason Dell and the like stopped offering Linux, it was more trouble than it was worth. There is a reason Linux has about 1% marketshare on desktops, people like you use it, but almost no one else does.

      And that's just the way it is... promoting technical superiority won't change that...

    50. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by mcgrew · · Score: 1

      That isn't enough of a reason to get people to move.

      If they're on XP they'll already have a reason.

      The problem is that it isn't superior in the ways that matter to the average user. The programs that the average user already knows are Windows programs and they have little interest in buying or learning new programs, even if they are free. I've used OpenOffice, it is nice, but it won't replace MS Office any time soon.

      You're not going to replace Windows in the workplace, but people have old computers that work just fine and when somebody warns them that their computer will be broken they're going to ask you what to do. If you sell computers, you'll try to find one for them that still runs Windows 7. They're not going to like 8 because they'll have to relearn everything.

      If it's your grandma's computer you can buy her a new Win7 computer (or if she has the money buy one herself) or slap kubuntu on the old XP box and it won't be much more unfamiliar than Win7, which won't run on her old computer. Install it dual-boot with Linux as the default, keep XP only disable and remove all of its networking components. They'll be able to get to all their Windows files from the Linux partition, and for home use Oo works fine.

      --
      Free Martian Whores!
    51. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1
      Windows 7 will run on almost anything built in the past 8 years, anything older than that... well, that is a small percentage of the current market...

      Windows 8 does have the Metro problem, I agree with that... I suspect that will get fixed with Windows 9 once they have a new CEO in place...

      Frankly, if your computer is over 8 years old, it is time to get something newer, they really don't cost that much, even a 3 year old used Dell is going to be multiple times faster than a 10 year old machine, and those can be had for $150 on eBay. They come with the Windows COA right on them, so do a clean reinstall of Windows (if it hasn't been done already) and off you go. It will have Vista or 7 on it, but even Vista with SP2 is fine these days.

      The fact is, this isn't the year of the Linux desktop, it wasn't 5 years ago and it isn't going to be 5 years from now. The window (no pun intended) for that to happen came and went a long time ago.

    52. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by mcgrew · · Score: 1

      The fact is, this isn't the year of the Linux desktop, it wasn't 5 years ago and it isn't going to be 5 years from now.

      Yes, I think you're right about that for the simple reason that nobody but nerds even know Linux exists. Apple and Microsoft have huge ad budgets, Linux has no marketing at all. They know what Android is, but have never heard of linux even though their phone's OS uses its kernel.

      --
      Free Martian Whores!
    53. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by antdude · · Score: 1

      Ditto. 8.x is worse than MS' OSes: Vista, ME, 3.x, DOS v4, etc. for me as well. W8.x's non-touch screen usability drives me nuts even if I use at work for testings. :(

      Also, I hate Unity in Linux. Our computing future looks crap. :(

      --
      Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
    54. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1
      The irony is that people are paying Microsoft and Apple to market Windows and OS X to them! :)

      But that isn't new, Coke pays billions a year in marketing and advertising to sell sugar water, so "technical merits" has little to do with what people buy. :)

      The irony is that OS X is Unix under the hood, just a very custom version. That is what it would take for Linux to take off, a commercial company charging for it and putting a nice easy shell on it.

      Since that isn't likely to happen (Red Hat tried it) at this point, that time has passed. The real chance for Linux was back in the 90s.

    55. Re:Windows 8.x is horrible! by mcgrew · · Score: 1

      That's what I've been saying for a long time, everybody knows what Apple is and what Windows is and what Android is, they see it on TV. They've never heard of Linux and don't realize or care that it powers their phone. Google and MS and Apple spend huge sums on ads, I've never seen a Red Hat ad except on a technology site.

      Meanwhile, those who are lucky enough to know me have heard of Linux, which powers your phone if it isn't an Apple and powers the ten fastest supercomputers in the world. There's a supercomputer running Windows (I was flabbergasted when I read about it) and it sits at #140 or something.

      2002 was the year of Linux on the desktop - for me.

      --
      Free Martian Whores!
  7. Awww... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Damm, does microsoft hate them that much?

    That's just not fair... Just because they don't throw money at microsoft. That's no reason to give them windows 8.

  8. Donate Win 7 if you really want to be charitable. by trout007 · · Score: 2, Informative

    I can't even find a students version.

    --
    I love Jesus, except for his foreign policy.
  9. oh man by Charliemopps · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    I wonder if this will force Android/Linux to make their software free for non-profits as well... oh wait.

    1. Re:oh man by flyingfsck · · Score: 2

      Android/Linux is only free if your time has no value. On the other hand, installing and running all the security updates, antivirus and malware utilities required to maintain Windows is a fulfilling and valuable business experience...

      --
      Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!
    2. Re:oh man by mcgrew · · Score: 1

      I just had a Sheldon moment. I was going to rebut you until I realized you were being sarcastic.

      --
      Free Martian Whores!
  10. Re:that's just evil by ruir · · Score: 2

    It is plain obvious why. NGOs are one of the driving forces of the work landscape and a field of training for natives entering the IT field. This is a move to limit expansion and people getting know-how about open source alternatives in the 3rd world. Plus, they know they will lock them in additional software/services like Office 365.

  11. Better option: Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Sorry to say this Microsoft, but even Ubuntu's Unity bullshit is a better user experience than Metro.

    Microsoft want to give me a free copy of Windows 8.1? No thanks. It has no value to me. I'll only consider accepting "free" Windows 8.1 if it comes with a six figure donation to my bank account each year. Otherwise I'll use Linux and get some real work done.

    p.s. I'd probably be willing to accept five figures if they'll let me run Linux in a virtual machine and then ignore Windows.

    1. Re:Better option: Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      the problem is that you (like many slashdotters) are the extreme minority who wouldnt use Windows if it were free but would gladly use Linux, you are disconnected from reality. real people dont care about this sort of thing as much as you think, wish and hope they do. an operating system is generally used as little more than a launcher for applications and given that those applications work the same on Windows 7 as they do on 8 there really isnt any problem as far as the average user is concerned.

    2. Re:Better option: Linux by I'm+New+Around+Here · · Score: 2

      Except for the 'average user' that hates the UI so much they will pay to have their brand new computer downgraded to Windows 7.

      --
      If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.
  12. Awesome by sgt+scrub · · Score: 2

    Now all they have to do is upgrade all of their other "free" Microsoft stuff to be compatible, assuming they fell for this BS before.

    TechSoup Global
    Through TechSoup Global, Microsoft donates software to tens of thousands of nonprofit organizations and nongovernmental organizations around the world. Get it? hint: soup kitchen

    --
    Having to work for a living is the root of all evil.
    1. Re:Awesome by sconeu · · Score: 2

      You don't understand... This is for everyone!!!

      Even if you buy regular licenses for Windows, once you've gone through all the BSA audits, you won't have any profits, so the next time around, you get the non-profit version!!!!

      --
      General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
  13. Re:Donate Win 7 if you really want to be charitabl by substance2003 · · Score: 2

    I can't even find a students version.

    Don't know where you're checking but I can find copies by walking into Staples. Most small shops still sell OEM copies too. You can order on their web site too if walking is too difficult.

  14. There is always a catch by andrew3 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Microsoft also gives free Windows licenses to students through various programs. But there is always a catch. In this case, Microsoft wants its users to adopt its own formats and use its network services, essentially pushing users into an endless cycle of relying on Microsoft software and services, allowing Microsoft to push for unreasonable terms, include more privacy-invasive features to gain more information about their users, increased OS reliance on Microsoft's network/cloud computing, and, of course, to make more money. Making money on its own, of course, is not usually a bad thing, but when a company like Microsoft controls a significant portion of the market it is certainly bad. I hear non-profits and governments are also often more likely to adopt free (-as in freedom) software such as LibreOffice and occasionally GNU/Linux, which could explain why they are a target of this campaign.

    Remember people: this isn't being done to benefit you, it's done to benefit Microsoft.

    1. Re:There is always a catch by jimicus · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Absolutely right. Over the last decade or so, much of Microsoft's sales & marketing hasn't actually been done by Microsoft at all.

      They haven't needed to.

      "We're starting to receive files in formats we can't open" does it for them.

      Historically, that resulted in Office upgrades; they're now using that leverage to push other upgrades (Office 2013 requires Windows 7 and Outlook 2013 requires Exchange 2007 or later). In the process, they're losing customers - Office 2013 starts to look like quite an expensive upgrade when you suddenly need to rip out your entire infrastructure

  15. Already Done by chr1st1anSoldier · · Score: 1

    I can't help but think about Apple already doing this and seeing this as another Microsoft copy cat act. And I pity those that adopt Windows 8. I have clients that use windows 8 and some that have Server 2012. Stop for a second, Why the #%^$%^#@ do you need the metro interface on the server? That's a rant for another day, back to this current one. My current field experiences with Windows 8 have been filled with annoyances and frustration. Want to put a short cut on your desktop that is on the Metro interface but not on the desktop? Push the Windows key on the KB, start tying the application name. When the application appears, right click it. Click some bullshit down at the bottom of the screen. From there, click some other bullshit. From there select "Open Location." When the explorer.exe window open, fine the applications executable. Right click the executable, then select "Send To" then select "To Desktop(Create shortcut)." Seriously, W.T.F. You want to set up a VPN connection using Microsoft VPN? Well, remember the good old days when you could put a short cut of the VPN connection on the desktop, double click it open the actual VPN connection? HAHAHAHA Those days are GONE! Make your little VPN connection, stick the short cut on the desktop, double click it, guess what opens? The little network connectivity sidebar(Sorry, I don't know the proper name of it), where you select your VPN connection, then click the "Connect" button, THEN we are at the point to how it used to be in Windows XP, Vista, and 7. Anyway, I am tired of typing.

  16. Re:that's just evil by tepples · · Score: 4, Informative

    it doesn't boot without EUFI!

    Since when? I thought Windows 8.1's system requirements were the same as those of Windows 8, and that included allowing Vista-to-8 or 7-to-8 upgrades on non-UEFI systems.

  17. Story is a PR plant by Groo+Wanderer · · Score: 4, Informative

    I work with a charity that has access to the MS discounts and there is one authorized outlet for it, Tech Soup. MS has ALWAYS made the latest version available so this is nothing new. It is just an astroturfing post to try and drum up some good PR for the embattled and truly miserable OS.

    That said why is MS so cruel to those in need?

  18. Re:that's just evil by GiantRobotMonster · · Score: 2

    Reminds me of the old Goodies' joke: First prize is dinner with X; Second prize is TWO dinners with X

  19. This is a very good move from Microsoft by jkrise · · Score: 3, Funny

    First they donate it to non-profits
    Then they donate it to schools
    Then to universities
    Then to the hospitals
    Then to the politicians
    Then to the developers ... ...
    Finally they donate to the existing Windows XP users.

    But nobody is interested; not even the pirates; since nobody wants to be infected with Windows 8.x.

    --
    If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
  20. Not just PR by quantaman · · Score: 1

    Everyone is focusing on the obvious benefits of PR and trying to spread adoption and avoiding cheaper competitors gaining market share.

    But I suspect even if you completely removed these benefits the donations make a profit for MS.

    How? First subtract the revenue of the tiny handful of non-profits that would purchase Win8 on their own, then add the tax writeoffs they get from all the "donated" copies of Windows.

    Can any accountants chime in on whether they could save more on their taxes than it actually cost to set up the program?

    --
    I stole this Sig
  21. Classic Shell by tepples · · Score: 1

    Classic Shell hides most of the Modern UI crap for you. I use it at work, and it's the only way I could find Windows 8 remotely bearable.

  22. Sounds like an Onion First line by SuperCharlie · · Score: 1

    Microsoft Donates Windows 8.1 To Nonprofit Organizations
    Nonprofit Organizations say "No Thanks" and stab themselves in the eye instead. Film at 11.

  23. Re:Donate Win 7 if you really want to be charitabl by crimoid · · Score: 1

    They do. Windows 7 and a bunch of other software products are offered via TechSoup.

  24. Re:Donate Win 7 if you really want to be charitabl by elashish14 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It's true.

    MS is using this faux charitability to advance their agenda, because they know it's the only way to make people use.. whatever you would consider W8.1. If they really cared about non-profits, why not ask what they need and work out a deal to offer that?

    And let's not forget that any open source project does the same thing for EVERYTHING they produce. So what does MS really deserve praise for here? Microsofts products aren't even worth a penny compared to alternatives anyways, but when they reduce their prices on products on which they already make absurd margins, we're supposed to worship them like saints. Please.

    --
    I have left slashdot and am now on Soylent News. FUCK YOU DICE.
  25. For a change, I have nothing but kudos... by Bob_Who · · Score: 1

    Its been a long while since I haven't sneered at a story about MS. That just shows to go you, its not all bad.

    Good one Microsoft. People need all the help they can get, these days. Keep it up.

  26. I wondered why the government shut down by OhANameWhatName · · Score: 1

    The announcement means eligible nonprofit organizations and public libraries can request Windows 8.1 through Microsoft's software donation program

    It was an attempt to stop public libraries from upgrading their Windows desktops.

  27. Keeping Linux off the Desktop .. by codeusirae · · Score: 1

    "Microsoft today announced the availability of Windows 8.1 for nonprofits. The move is an extension of the company's nod to the nonprofit community with the launch Windows 8. The announcement means eligible nonprofit organizations and public libraries can request Windows 8.1 through Microsoft's software donation program."

    Still runnning the same ole engulf-and-assimilate game plan. In this case keeping Linux off the Desktop and getting some free publicity in return. Remember this is the company that acted to sabotage the OLPC project by offering to 'support' the effort but only if they came with Windows.

  28. That'll fix 'em by Tablizer · · Score: 2

    I donated Windows Vista to the Heritage Foundation.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  29. Re:that's just evil by steelfood · · Score: 1

    While GP was largely being melodramatic, there is a point. Real NPO's are always short on cash. They're never going to be running the latest hardware, but that of several years back. They're probably XP users, not 7 or Vista. Windows 8+ will be beyond the reach of most charitable organizations. And that's only from a hardware perspective.

    --
    "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
  30. That's the right price by water-and-sewer · · Score: 1

    Free, huh? That's the right price.

    I was actually one of those hold-outs sticking with XP (rather, my bosses at work were, since it's their machine) until last year. Last year we got Win7 and I really am surprised at how much I like it.

    But Win 8 and brothers? No way. They'd have to pay me.

    --
    If this were Usenet, I'd killfile the lot of you.
  31. Re:Donate Win 7 if you really want to be charitabl by L4t3r4lu5 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Get a Windows 8 license (Pro), download the appropriate Windows 7 Pro ISO from digital river.

    Legal and efficient.

    --
    Finally had enough. Come see us over at https://soylentnews.org/
  32. Re:Donate Win 7 if you really want to be charitabl by trout007 · · Score: 1

    If this is true thank you. I must investigate.

    --
    I love Jesus, except for his foreign policy.
  33. This reminds me of.. by kennycoder · · Score: 1

    "The Muffin Tops" Seinfeld episode...

    --
    Fucking a fat girl is like riding a scooter... it's fun 'til someone sees you.
  34. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  35. Hardware Donations by AVryhof · · Score: 2

    Having worked for a non-profit, all I can say is... that's nice but who donates hardware that Win8.1 can run on?

    As of 2009, the fastest computer at the org I was volunteering at was 1.2GHz with 512Mb of memory.

    --
    Make America grate again!
  36. Re:Donate Win 7 if you really want to be charitabl by L4t3r4lu5 · · Score: 2

    Understanding Downgrade Rights Windows 8/1 Pro can be downgraded to Windows 7 Pro.

    Digital River is the official online distributor for Microsoft products. Content hosted by them (mydigitallifecontent) is legitimate. Search for "Windows 7 iso digital river" and you'll see several forums linking to Digital River hosted ISOs directly.

    --
    Finally had enough. Come see us over at https://soylentnews.org/
  37. Re:Donate Win 7 if you really want to be charitabl by jones_supa · · Score: 2

    I can't even find a students version.

    Try DreamSpark...

  38. Drug dealing mentality by nurb432 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The first one is always free.

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
  39. Think of it as by islisis · · Score: 1

    Profit: Free Trial

    1. Re:Think of it as by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      No, think of it as:

      Charitable Tax Deduction.

  40. NOOOOOOOOO by nightsky30 · · Score: 1

    IT'S A TRAP!!!

  41. This is hardly news by rayk_sland · · Score: 1

    Microsoft has been "donating" to non-profits for years. It's actually a quite cynical process whereby they seed the market to gain market share. In my opinion they really should not get the tax breaks that come to them from these "donations." But this one is laughable because receiving Windows 8 or its decendents is going to benefit precisely no one.

    --
    Jedis are stupid. If they were so powerful, why couldn't they handle counseling for a kid who missed his mom?
  42. Please, don't give Win8.1 to the needy by Opportunist · · Score: 3, Funny

    Didn't they suffer enough already?

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  43. Ah, the old Jobs trick. by garyoa1 · · Score: 1

    If Jobs didn't give away Macs to schools there probably wouldn't be an apple today.

    --
    Wuddooeyeno? IITYWYBMAD? Like nuts? eclecticallyincorrect.com
  44. I misread the title! by m.alessandrini · · Score: 2

    I understood that they donated Windows 8.1 (ownership) to a nonprofit organization...

  45. Do they get a tax write off for this "donation"? by RelliK · · Score: 1

    In other words, do they get to print their own money?

    --
    ___
    If you think big enough, you'll never have to do it.
  46. Re: The new Microsoft model by lwriemen8809 · · Score: 1

    Err. That's the old Microsoft model; you know, the one the first anti-trust trial was about.

  47. Re:Donate Win 7 if you really want to be charitabl by antdude · · Score: 1

    Where can we get a legit valid W8 Pro. license key without the software, box, etc.?

    --
    Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  48. In related news... by arglebargle_xiv · · Score: 1

    ... the CDC has offered to donate ebola to the same nonprofits. Speaking on condition of anoymity, the CEO of one nonprofit stated that "on the whole, we'd rather take the ebola".