Is Microsoft's Windows XP Starter Edition a Joke or a Strategic Move?

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Microsoft is addressing competition from Linux and software piracy in Asia by introducing a stripped-down version of Windows XP priced at $36. This version has significant limitations, including the ability to run only three programs simultaneously, a maximum resolution of 800x600, no support for PC-to-PC networking, no printer sharing, and no multiple user accounts. Critics find the offering laughable, comparing it to the poorly received Windows ME, and question the viability of such a product in a market that favors free operating systems like FreeBSD. While Microsoft aims to combat piracy with this low-cost option, the limited features may deter users from wanting to pirate it, leading to speculation about whether the restrictions can be bypassed. Overall, the initiative is seen as a misguided attempt to penetrate a market dominated by free alternatives.
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This has to be the funniest Microsoft news I've heard in a while:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5670541/

Microsoft is trying to counter Linux and piracy in Asia by offering a stripped down version of Windows XP for $36 USD.

The limitations of this version of Windows include:

Only 3 programs can run at the same time
800x600 maximum resolution
No PC-to-PC networking support
No printer sharing support
No multiple user accounts.
 
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dduardo said:
This has to be the funniest Microsoft news I've heard in a while:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5670541/

Microsoft is trying to counter Linux and piracy in Asia by offering a stripped down version of Windows XP for $36 USD.

The limitations of this version of Windows include:

Only 3 programs can run at the same time
800x600 maximum resolution
No PC-to-PC networking support
No printer sharing support
No multiple user accounts.

Lol, that sounds like WindowsME. :)
 
The thought of Microsoft giving the asians such a terrible product should justify a lawsuit (joke). It's stupid of Microsoft to think they could conquer the asian market where free operating systems reign. Japan is especially fond of FreeBSD and it's native Japanese console support.
 
Only 3 programs can run at the same time
800x600 maximum resolution

They should proabably rethink those ideas. Who on Earth would buy that sort of OS?
 
Microsoft did accomplish one of their objectives, though: fighting software piracy. This is the first Microsoft OS in a long time that people are *not* going to want to pirate.

It would be interesting though to see if some of this version's limited features can somehow be circumvented. I seriously doubt this, however. I would theorize the developers actually *stripped* out the features. Of course, they could have been lazy and implemented these parameters without much thought.
 
Last edited:
dduardo said:
Microsoft is trying to counter Linux and piracy in Asia by offering a stripped down version of Windows XP for $36 USD.
I am sure that the article is a joke. Even Microsoft could not be this dumb.
 
36 dollars for crap ehehehe
 
How long before it, too, becomes downloadable (along with nearly everything else)?
 

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