MUP - MS OS for 3$ (beat tht open source)

[anandk]

A $3 Software package as a part of the program.

Microsoft Corp. said Thursday it will build on existing efforts to bridge the digital divide worldwide and announced several new ventures, including a $3 software package for governments that subsidize student computers.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070419/micro...tial.html?.v=4

The software maker said it will sell a Student Innovation Suite, which includes Windows XP Starter Edition and Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, for $3 to governments that subsidize a certain percentage of the cost of PCs for primary and secondary students for use at home and at school, starting in the second half of the year.

So What is Microsoft Unlimited Potential?

"It's about helping individuals and communities around the globe achieve their goals and dreams through relevant, accessible, and affordable technologies. Our mission—to enable new avenues of social and economic opportunity extends particularly to the estimated 5 billion people that have yet to realize the benefits of technology. With our partners, both public and private, we focus on transforming education, fostering local innovation, and enabling jobs and opportunities to create a continuous cycle of sustained social and economic growth for everyone..."

more about the program here at http://www.microsoft.com/emerging/Ab...Potential.mspx

[freebird]

The reality bite read below:

Microsoft's $3 anti-Linux weapon
In Beijing, Bill Gates announced this week that Microsoft's "Unlimited Potential" initiative will now include offering a software package, the Student Innovation Suite, to governments and students in emerging countries across the world at a price of just $3.

This suite, available in the second half of 2007, will include Windows XP Starter Edition; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, Microsoft Math 3.0, Learning Essentials 2.0 for Microsoft Office, and Windows Live Mail desktop. However, Microsoft has no takers for its offering yet.

Officially, the goal is to help bring social and economic opportunity through new products and programs to as many as possible of the potential 5 billion people who do not yet use Microsoft products.

What a lot of bull feces. The goal is to kill open source off at its roots. Microsoft wants to make sure that young people in developing countries get brainwashed into the Microsoft way of computing.

Here's what's really happening. Microsoft is seeing that the OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) initiative is taking off. Soon, millions of kids will be using a computer for the first time, and their first computer is going to be running Sugar, an innovative software environment built on top of a Red Hat Fedora-based Linux variant.

Microsoft is also seeing how Linux distributions are moving quickly ahead of Windows in Africa, where Ubuntu is gaining popularity; South America, where Mandriva is making inroads; and China, which has its own powerful ecosystem of Linux companies such as Red Flag and Sun Wah Linux.

As Ubuntu founding father Mark Shuttleworth recently told me: "We're seeing Ubuntu being picked up in Asia, Russia, Ukraine, and South America. So, those places have become a real focus for us." And, in particular, "Desktop Linux is very attractive in emerging counties."

Why? That's simple: Linux is inexpensive and it works. Unlike North America and, to some extent, Western Europe, the rest of the world isn't addicted to Microsoft's offerings. They can see with far clearer eyes than most Americans that Windows is not the be-all and end-all of operating systems.

Another factor is that in many countries, there's a real desire to not get tied up with Microsoft. After all, why help Bill Gates in the U.S. become ever richer, when you can help software developers in your own country create your own local version of Silicon Valley based on Linux and open source? You can see that in France, where the National Assembly recently moved to Linux desktops, and in South Korea, which wants to help its native software businesses.

For the first time since burying OS/2, Microsoft is all too aware that it has competition for the American desktop. Apple has emerged as a serious competitor once more, and I think the Linux desktop is really starting to worry the folks from Redmond.

Consider this: On April 18, Michael Dell, head of Dell Computers, the No. 2 PC vendor in the world with a market share of 15.2 percent, told the world that he's using Ubuntu Linux on his home laptop. Dell Inc. has also announced that it will soon be selling PCs and laptops with preloaded Linux.

Oh, and the number-1 PC company in the world, HP? It hasn't come out and said it, but rumor has it that it's readying consumer pre-loads of Linux on the desktop as well.

There was a time when hardware vendors announcing that they were going to sell and support any operating system except Windows would have been unthinkable. Microsoft would destroy them.

What? You thought Microsoft became number-1 because it had better products? Please!

Read, if you will, part of a 2006 complaint by Tangent, a Burlingame, Calif.-based OEM (original equipment manufacturer), about Microsoft's business practices: "Because Microsoft, through its exclusionary practices, eliminated its competitors from the market and has blocked entry of new competitors and expansion of existing rivals, it has been able to increase, maintain or stabilize prices at anticompetitive levels" since the late 1980s.

"Microsoft's supra-competitive prices are not the result of superior products or competition on the merits. Rather, Microsoft has been able, at the financial expense of purchasers to artificially inflate its profits...," the complaint added.

Amen, brother!

The people who run Microsoft aren't idiots. They see that they're losing any chance they might have of seizing the global PC market. They know that their iron grip on the North American and Western European markets is starting to rust.

So, by throwing almost free products on the world market, they're trying to ruin the chances of Linux and open source. If Linux continues to make gains in the U.S. and Canada, I expect that Microsoft may even -- oh, how it'll hate this -- cut the prices on Vista and Office.

I don't think, however, that Microsoft will get away with it. Dumping product is a no-no in any country's trade plans. Besides, a home-grown version of Linux, OpenOffice, and Thunderbird is still cheaper than Microsoft's $3 suite. People who don't live in places where Microsoft rules have also realized that, while the first taste of Microsoft products may be free, the long-term costs are enormous.

Last, but far from least, people everywhere are finally realizing that they don't need to buy into Microsoft's expensive monopoly to use their PCs. It's really quite simple: You don't need Windows anymore, and Microsoft is continuing to con you, and the rest of the world, into believing that you do.

source:
http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS6409071283.html

[anandk]

looks like the news has ruffled a lot of feathers ! well thats microsofts story : damned if they do something; damned if they dont thanx for presenting the other side too.

and oh, b4 i forget- make no mistake- Microsoft is not promoting its efforts as charity. "This is a business, not a philanthropic effort," said Microsoft senior vice president Orlando Ayala. MS is planning to double its user base from the present billion, by 2015 !

[faraaz]

If only I could learn Linux...I'd shift in a trice!! I tried installing Ubuntu but its just too hard...why re-invent the wheel when I can use Win XP instead?? Maybe if DX-10 becomes available on Linux and software like Cedega is available to play my games on Linux..I'll shift from XP instead of buying Vista...

[eddie]

@anandk: The problem is that rarely (or never?) do Microsoft work in a transparent manner. Even with the current move, it is clear that Microsoft feels threatened by its losing grip on developing countries' computer markets. Do you see any valid reason behind Microsoft selling Windows XP Starter Edition at or above 30 US Dollars but comes out with a new package with bundled goodies for 3 US Dollars? Price reduction by 10 times or more? I smell fear!!! Microsoft just doesn't want the developing countries to accept Linux. I wonder how soon Microsoft will come out with "Highly Unlimited Potential Programme" and will start giving out Windows copies for free.

In any case, someone tell me why one should use Windows XP Starter Edition (or Unlimited Potential for that matter) rather than Ubuntu 7.04 and I am all ears.

[gxsaurav]

In any case, someone tell me why one should use Windows XP Starter Edition (or Unlimited Potential for that matter) rather than Ubuntu 7.04 and I am all ears.

Because most of the required apps in school work in Windows without a geek interface.

& Why would you care if MS works in transparent manner. If they don't work properly it is there problem & there loss. Why are you justifying it.

[freebird]

^ bcoz M$ is trying to kill Open Source;the known thing.
there are lot of school distros of Linux available;schools in kerela state already shifted(1 year now) to it@school distro based on Debian.also are distros like edubuntu,a derivative custom made for Students.there are 1000's of software available for Students.DO visit
http://www.schoolforge.net/ before spreading FUD(copyrighted by microwsoft) here.

Originally Posted by faraaz

If only I could learn Linux...I'd shift in a trice!! I tried installing Ubuntu but its just too hard...why re-invent the wheel when I can use Win XP instead?? Maybe if DX-10 becomes available on Linux and software like Cedega is available to play my games on Linux..I'll shift from XP instead of buying Vista...

Linux is easy.U should stand with this Free software projcts to cut down the harms due to M$ monopoly. U can ask ur doubts in Open Source Section,nothing hard.DX10 is just for M$.ofcourse cedega is a paid software although Wine is supporting more and more windows games in Linux.U can read ubuntuguide reg doubts.
http://whylinuxisbetter.net
http://ubuntuguide.org/
what is Free Open Source Software(FOSS)
http://fsf.org

[Zeeshan Quireshi]

Originally Posted by freebird

^ bcoz M$ is trying to kill Open Source;the known thing.

..... , dunno what to say , ppl r such jerks .

even though if they started using an OS soft only a week ago they'll go on about how good it is n , bla bla bla .

i'm not sayin that OS is bad , but i'm sayin that MS is not bad too , got it .

it's da users choice to use what he wants , u need not blame MS .

[iMav]

Microsoft Offering Software to Developing Countries For Only $3.00

Student Innovation Suite contains XP Starter Edition, Office Home, and educational software

Microsoft has unveiled an interesting alternative to the OLPC as a solution to developing countries. Rather than providing a new platform and requiring an order of one million units, Microsoft's plan is to offer very low pricing on their popular Windows and Office products -- in fact, the projected price is only three dollars.

Microsoft's program to reach developing countries is known as "Unlimited Potential" and is aiming to double the computing base by 2015 by reaching out to a billion people with low-cost software. In order to qualify for the discounted price, governments will need to provide free PCs for school use.

AMD has a similar program in place called 50x15 that is centered on its Personal Internet Communicator, but Microsoft is not offering its own hardware. Instead, it is expected that Microsoft will leverage the upcoming Intel Classmate PC, which has already stated to run Windows XP.

The $3.00 package includes Windows XP Starter Edition, Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition, and several other unnamed educational programs. XP Starter Edition differs from the other versions of XP by its rather significant limitations - 800x600 maximum resolution, a maximum of three programs open at once, and "client-only" networking are some of the major caps placed on the cheaper version.

Despite the parallels drawn to the OLPC project, Microsoft isn't trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. "This is not a philanthropic effort, this is a business," stated Orlando Ayala of Microsoft. In many developing countries, pirated software is sold for pennies on the dollar; but Microsoft seems confident that the program will find favor with governments seeking to promote education programs in their countries.







3 Cheers for Billy G

Source

[shantanu]

me too !!! cheers^3 .. great news (i was just preparing this article)

ADDED: to have this offer.. you only have to go with a PHoTOCOPY of your RASHAN CARD... thats all.. i think it will be launched very soon and the price expected is Rs.162/-

[mehulved]

Can you explain - beat that open source? What is MS offering here that open source isn't?

[kalpik]

Nothing beats "free", does it? And its free without stupid restrictions like a max resolution of "800x600"

[rakeshishere]

OLD news! already heard from anandk ..Already Posted HERE

Thread Reported

[apoorv.sharma]

"aapka hardware...mouse ka upyog karna" !!!..LOLZZZZZZZZ...

[freebird]

So there are ppl who are against Open SOurce and Free Software.hmm..

[Pathik]

merge the two threads tyf..

[gxsaurav]

Cool Rs 162 for Office 2007 student edition. i m jumping to it. Might help some of the students here who don't need outlook.

[prateek_san]

cool news ......ye ye MS.....

[rakeshishere]

M$ is not open source and open source is not M$...Plz don't compare them

[mehulved]

It costs more than OLPC and you say beat that? What's there to beat?
OLPC's OS has resolution of 1024x768, it can run more than 3 softwares at a time, yes we tried that. X server was forwarded via ssh and firefox and gnome-calculator were run. So, that means it has more than basic networking that XP SE has.
And the best of all, OLCP in it's current version just cost $150 whereas this will cost $3 for the software + $400 for the hardware. Almost 2.68 times the cost. Beat that!

[eddie]

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

Because most of the required apps in school work in Windows without a geek interface.

Define "geek interface".

& Why would you care if MS works in transparent manner. If they don't work properly it is there problem & there loss. Why are you justifying it.

Did you even read the post I was replying to? I was replying to anandk's post regarding "damn if they do...damn if they don't" and not "justifying" anything.

[shantanu]

what do you mean $400 for the hardware,, m$ is not saying you to buy that PC, its just selling the software so that developing countries can use genuine..

and i think you guys must have read that """FREE """" isnt means that it doesnt cost anything.. Free means that if i buy linux OSS then i can distribute it free...

i read somewhere that it is thought that FREE in linux is meant free of cost... its not that... even LINUX versions..

RHEL costs : from $80-339 ,

and i think an OSS also needs a computer to run.. or you run it VIRTUALLY..

[freebird]

Originally Posted by Zeeshan Quireshi

..... , dunno what to say , ppl r such jerks .

even though if they started using an OS soft only a week ago they'll go on about how good it is n , bla bla bla .

i'm not sayin that OS is bad , but i'm sayin that MS is not bad too , got it .

it's da users choice to use what he wants , u need not blame MS .

I am using GNU/Linux for the past 4 years.do understand ppl lives in this world without the monopoly OS.there are ppl who runs GNU/Linux on vmware etc and not all tasting the power of the beast and thinking they are the Wise Geeks who saves earth.
Windows is just a s/w, am pointing about the monopoly company using patent warfare,FUD ,SCOing on alternate OS which are growing fast.

[praka123]

Let the users decide the virtues of Linux or Free Software U cant force someone!.but i too dont understand where does M$ beat opensource with this deal.

[mehulved]

Originally Posted by shantanu_webmaster

what do you mean $400 for the hardware,, m$ is not saying you to buy that PC, its just selling the software so that developing countries can use genuine..

Yeah and offering you crippleware. Linux offers the software for free without any such restrictions.

Originally Posted by shantanu_webmaster

and i think you guys must have read that """FREE """" isnt means that it doesnt cost anything.. Free means that if i buy linux OSS then i can distribute it free...

Yeah free has always been for freedom and not for for free of cost, but that's with open source not with FSF. Anyways that's another point.

Originally Posted by shantanu_webmaster

i read somewhere that it is thought that FREE in linux is meant free of cost... its not that... even LINUX versions..

RHEL costs : from $80-339 ,

Those charges are for services not for the product. Doesn't MS charge insanely high for servers compared to desktops? Service charges are always there, if you give service free of cost then you're insane.

Originally Posted by shantanu_webmaster

and i think an OSS also needs a computer to run.. or you run it VIRTUALLY..

Well that was for mav3 who put up the AMD PIC and wrote - beat this open source, and started comparing with OLPC. The starter edition MS is trying to offer to school kids as compitition to OLPC, has Intel's classmate PC and it costs $400. So, effectively you pay $403. Now I don't know in which universe $403>$100. Maybe MS whitewashes you fanboys to believe that.

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

Because most of the required apps in school work in Windows without a geek interface.

Have a look at sugar interface used in OLPC.

[shantanu]

Originally Posted by tech_your_future

Those charges are for services not for the product. Doesn't MS charge insanely high for servers compared to desktops? Service charges are always there, if you give service free of cost then you're insane.

in that matter the charges for Servers are more than $3000 for redhat..

i wrote the price of Desktop edition

Originally Posted by tech_your_future

Maybe MS whitewashes you fanboys to believe that.

can you be more clear on white wash
if you are saying me a fanboy, then surely you are also one for linux... isnt it..

and i dont know what exactly do you rate to call a person a FANBOY... i just take the right one

PS: nothing personal.. just topic flame

[mehulved]

Originally Posted by shantanu_webmaster

in that matter the charges for Servers are more than $3000 for redhat..

i wrote the price of Desktop edition

I don't know anyone using Red Hat on desktop and why would they? Well it's just fedora + official support. I think you need to go back and check again. Only paid desktop distros I remember of are - linspire and xandros. Again, they're paid cos they contain all proprietory codecs. As for lispire it is one of the most shunned distros by the community for being MS'ish. No one from linux community even gave a damn to it when MS sued them for the name lindows.

[shantanu]

and i dont think MS cares if anyone gives a DAMN or not

and well i checked it.. desktop and servers subscriptions are same as i posted... they are paid...

www.redhat.com/rhel

[mehulved]

Originally Posted by shantanu_webmaster

and i dont think MS cares if anyone gives a DAMN or not

Why would they give a damn to 5% when they can loot 90%

Originally Posted by shantanu_webmaster

and well i checked it.. desktop and servers subscriptions are same as i posted... they are paid...

www.redhat.com/rhel

But, why would someone in their right mind buy it. And as it is the version used for OLPC is not paid. And this thread doesn't focus on servers and services.

[shantanu]

ya sure this thread does not focus on that...

but you can't say the words loot of 90%...
Give a proof of this..