Microsoft Expanding Support for Low Cost Flash Based Computers

[iMav]

Microsoft Unlimited Potential Group has released a statement detailing the company’s efforts to expand flash-based Windows XP support in addition to Intel’s Classmate PC and ASUS’ Eee PC, as well as Microsoft’s plans to expand flash-based Windows XP support for low-cost hardware computing devices.

Originally Posted by REDMOND, Wash. — Dec. 5, 2007

As part of Microsoft Corp.’s Unlimited Potential effort to bring the benefits of technology to the next 5 billion people by transforming education, fostering local innovation, and enabling jobs and opportunity, Microsoft today announced plans to further expand flash-based Windows XP support for low-cost hardware computing devices. This builds on the success of similar support for devices such as Intel Corporation’s Classmate PC and ASUS’ Eee PC, complementing Unlimited Potential’s focus on transforming education in emerging segments.


As part of this commitment, Microsoft plans to publish formal design guidelines early next year that will assist flash-based device manufacturers in designing machines that enable a high-quality Windows experience. In addition, there will be limited field trials in January 2008 of Windows XP for One Laptop per Child’s XO laptop. Microsoft’s goal is to provide a high-quality Windows experience on the XO device; if this is achieved, then Windows XP for the XO could be available as early as the second half of 2008.


Governments evaluating purchases of the XO should continue to consult with Microsoft regarding possible Windows XP availability date, pricing and support policies. In addition, there are no plans to offer a version of Windows that is compatible with the XO laptop for retail purchase in the U.S. and Canada.


Microsoft Unlimited Potential will continue to work with a variety of partners to support this emerging class of devices as part of its effort to help bring social and economic opportunity to the estimated 5 billion people who are not yet realizing the benefits of technology.


More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/up. A detailed background on Microsoft’s work to port Windows to the OLPC XO can be found at http://blogs.technet.com/jamesu.

Source

[MetalheadGautham]

its not exactly support. its the reverse. The idea of M$ is simple: if you target the low end market, then more users will have to use windows from the begening.

M$ actually saw a threat, when the OLPC's XO1 Laptop did not run windows. This might have ment that generations will stop using windows, as they were exposed to another OS from the begening. All those poor kids... why not make a plan to make us richer when they to get richer? Lets teach them Windows.

Originally Posted by Micro$oft Bull$hit $poke$man

Governments evaluating purchases of the XO should continue to consult with Microsoft regarding possible Windows XP availability date, pricing and support policies.

utter nonsence. Why should governments in africa, south america, etc consult a completely unrelated US based company?

[The_Devil_Himself]

Why don't M$ provide monetary support instead of providing 'free xp'?Bringing down the costs is more important.Sux man.Or just let them do whatever they are doing cos providing a stripped down version of XP for free aint gonna help much.

[iMav]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

utter nonsence. Why should governments in africa, south america, etc consult a completely unrelated US based company?

because half the world aid comes from that part of the world

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by iMav

because half the world aid comes from that part of the world

that part of the world, yes but not from M$

[iMav]

when i say that part of the world i mean the companies; corporates & the rich whites in that part of the world - and MS; billy g are a good chunk of that whites (that was my point)

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by iMav

when i say that part of the world i mean the companies; corporates & the rich whites in that part of the world - and MS; billy g are a good chunk of that whites (that was my point)

I really respect billy uncle, but bally is BAD

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

its not exactly support. its the reverse. The idea of M$ is simple: if you target the low end market, then more users will have to use windows from the begening.

Gr8, so now Microsoft is not even allowed to expand it's market

M$ actually saw a threat, when the OLPC's XO1 Laptop did not run windows.

I hope u remember that both Steve Jobs & Balmer were ready give a free edition of there OS with this one. It's not a threat...just that the inventor of OLPC XO didn't use proprity systems.

This might have ment that generations will stop using windows, as they were exposed to another OS from the begening. All those poor kids... why not make a plan to make us richer when they to get richer? Lets teach them Windows.

Wah wah.....so now if Maruti advertises there car in schools, it's wrong.

[din]

Support ? LOL

MS wanna make the kids addicts of their products. They always target schools and only very determined and futuristic thinking goverments can escape from their luring, un-ethical business and 'special offers'.

I really hope the flash based PC / Lappy manufacturers turn down the offer and go with Linux / Open source. The low cost PC / Lappy is meant for poor people / students for whom Oopen source / Linux is best suited. Pelase MS, stop this kinda support.

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

Gr8, so now Microsoft is not even allowed to expand it's market

LOL. MS is expert in un-ethical means of business. So do not worry on the market expansion plan. They will play all dirty tricks and there are people who will go behind $$$. So it will be easy for MS to get into every sector by offering enough $$$.

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by din

MS wanna make the kids addicts of their products. They always target schools and only very determined and futuristic thinking goverments can escape from their luring, un-ethical business and 'special offers'.

I can say the same thing about Linux. Linux vendors want to make the kids addicted to Linux so that they don't get to know Windows & it's enviroment.

Here is the thing, u guys are acting like Windows is evil for doing charity, going to colleges & giving info/knowledge to students about Windows platform, & when Linux & FOSS does the same thing it is considered good

You talk about ethical business, Microsoft has equal rights like Linux to go to any college & advertise there product. Why do u guys get irked when MS organises a seminar in a College & gives free educational license of there product & u consisde it bad, but when FOSS does it, it is good.

I really hope the flash based PC / Lappy manufacturers turn down the offer and go with Linux / Open source. The low cost PC / Lappy is meant for poor people / students for whom Oopen source / Linux is best suited. Pelase MS, stop this kinda support.

Wrong...MS has equal right to support there product on this machine. It is the customar who is going to chose whether to use Windows or Linux on XO

[iMav]

i did not know it was wrong for a company to do business great idea guys we should close all corporates in the whole world that would help all african kids and all NGOs will be able to raise a lot of money

[NucleusKore]

Read this
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7261

[din]

Originally Posted by iMav

i did not know it was wrong for a company to do business

Sir, I was referring to un-ethical business and dirty tricks to get into market. I am talking about it coz I know incidents MS played dirty / un-ethical business in my area - Cochin, Kerala. I can give solid proof for that. I am no way against business. Afterall I am into business !

Where I did I say compnies are not supposed to do business ? Nice to see how people quote something that I never said though lol, liked it.

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

I can say the same thing about Linux. Linux vendors want to make the kids addicted to Linux so that they don't get to know Windows & it's enviroment.

For sure, you can tell that. one - we should not force anyone to use something. two - we should not / need not teach something at schools thats not affordable for the large majority of the people of India. Coz MS may give stripped down versions / student versions and all those kinda tricks in schools, but once the students get into Win, they are not exposed to any other alternatives. And that make trouble for them in future, so they are forced to use pirated stuff or pay a huge amount for the softwares.

Remember - not all people get free windows / office form MS. And the large majority in India falls in the other category. So it is very simple logic that Linux and Open Source is best suited for countries like India.

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

Here is the thing, u guys are acting like Windows is evil for doing charity, going to colleges & giving info/knowledge to students about Windows platform, & when Linux & FOSS does the same thing it is considered good

People are not against MS doing charity. They are making a lot of $$$ from their business and giving a prt of it back to the society which is a good thing. The evil part is the un-ethical business practise. By looking at the history of MS, any one with a non-biased view can understand it very well. No explanation needed for that.

And by giving free CDS / stripped versions / all those things by MS - is the way to lure kids. They are not giving the Windows OS free. Their trick is very similar to the drug sellers near college campuses, First give a small quantity of drugs, once they get addicted, they are forced to buy it lol.

Again, who said MS doing charity is a bad thing ? ? ?

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

You talk about ethical business, Microsoft has equal rights like Linux to go to any college & advertise there product.

Will be great if you list some incidents where Linux doing un-ethical business. I mean the community doing un-ethical business. In that sorry, MS has no close competitors MS has right to do the same thing Linux people does. But the difference is for MS, the first thing is their business, they are in campus for advertising their product and making money out of it - of course they have the right to do so. For Open source people first thing is goodwill of community. Isn't it a difference ? ?

[iMav]

giving a flash based machine tuned OS what is un-ethical in that MS says that they will come out with a XP version that is tailored for flash based systems and u say its unethical please explain how does it become un-ethical

[din]

Originally Posted by NucleusKore

Read this
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7261

Excellent ! Especially the 'What Microsoft is really saying: ' part. Sad people are not understanding

Originally Posted by iMav

giving a flash based machine tuned OS what is un-ethical in that MS says that they will come out with a XP version that is tailored for flash based systems and u say its unethical please explain how does it become un-ethical

May be this link will help ? - http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7261

Same link NucleusKore posted.

[iMav]

^^ thats business sir im surprised that u of all people call a company which is trying to survive in this competitive market by coming out with a product that is tailored for a device; u say its un-ethical .... and then u say u are not saying that companies should not do business ...

Originally Posted by blogger

What Microsoft is really saying: Memo to emerging markets: Put Windows on the radar if you are mulling over the purchase of a Linux based device.

so MS is telling them that they are also going to offer something - cant a business firm tell clients that are also going to offer a product - i didnt know telling customers that u will launch a product is un-ethical

Originally Posted by blogger

What Microsoft is really saying: Again, no rush folks. You can hold off that Linux love affair for six months right.

same thing they are telling the desicion makers that tehy will also offer a product which might be good and will offer good benefits so wait and see what we have to offer dont rush ur decision - whats un-ethical in that

Originally Posted by MS

“Microsoft plans to publish some formal design guidelines early next year that will help Flash PC manufacturers benefit from our early work so they can design machines that enable a great Windows experience at as low a cost as possible, and with a minimum of custom design work necessary to get Windows to run on their machines, such as we have encountered with the XO.”

a message to manufacturers and not clients as other comments and they are simply telling them that we will come out with our alternative too consider it - whats unethical in that

[din]

@iMav

Before posting so fast, read the 'What Microsoft is really saying' part. And sometimes it may clear the confusion.

Oh I forgot, this time also you are pretending ? lol Can't help in that case !

[iMav]

what MS is actually saying is the bloggers interpretation i can have my own interpretation to that u can have ur interpretation and i have edited my reply

[din]

@iMav

LOL, alrt sir, I give up

Just like arya once mentioned - I do not like apple - I am telling - MS is the most ethical business company in the world. They are helping the community in all possible ways they can.

LOL, guys, carry on. I think better to stay away from news section, can save a lot of time.

[naveen_reloaded]

Rightly said din

[iMav]

Originally Posted by din

I think better to stay away from news section, can save a lot of time.

better stay away from making such posts

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by din

we should not / need not teach something at schools thats not affordable for the large majority of the people of India. Coz MS may give stripped down versions / student versions and all those kinda tricks in schools, but once the students get into Win, they are not exposed to any other alternatives.

No, wrong. In today's world if u say that students are not exposed to Linux then that is a lie. Today with magzines like digit or chip, state goverment intiatives etc....Linux is more widely known then before. Students are exposed to both MS & Linux.

Remember - not all people get free windows / office form MS. And the large majority in India falls in the other category. So it is very simple logic that Linux and Open Source is best suited for countries like India.

I understand, but calling MS evil cos they are trying to market there product here is wrong.

By looking at the history of MS, any one with a non-biased view can understand it very well.

Welcome to profit making method 101 a.k.a. business.

And by giving free CDS / stripped versions / all those things by MS - is the way to lure kids. They are not giving the Windows OS free. Their trick is very similar to the drug sellers near college campuses, First give a small quantity of drugs, once they get addicted, they are forced to buy it lol.

What forced? U r saying like the students are blind kids who don't have the ability to think & decide on there own.

MS has no close competitors MS has right to do the same thing Linux people does. But the difference is for MS, the first thing is their business, they are in campus for advertising their product and making money out of it - of course they have the right to do so. For Open source people first thing is goodwill of community. Isn't it a difference ? ?

Ever heard about the Windows Community?

[din]

Well, had to come back !

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

No, wrong. In today's world if u say that students are not exposed to Linux then that is a lie. Today with magzines like digit or chip, state goverment intiatives etc....Linux is more widely known then before. Students are exposed to both MS & Linux.

I am not sure how things are in Pune, may be majority of kids have PC at their homes there. But here in Kerala and most part of south India things are different. The only way to access / learn computer is school for them. That also just because a lot of good people who donate fund, computers etc to schools. So getting magazines CDs or even distros in CD / DVD is of no use for the vast majority school students out here. If they are forced to learn only Windows they will have no other choice at all. Linux is gaining more popularity and becoming a serious threat to MS - yes, that is a fact, but for students, what is in schools - are ultimate for them. That is what I meant.

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

I understand, but calling MS evil cos they are trying to market there product here is wrong.

Nobody is against companies marketing or doing business. Only thing is there is good practise and bad practise. When a company does un-ethical business, no justification will make it ok. MS is evil not because they sell Windows but their way of selling and marketing. Sorry, I know tough to understand unless we are un-biased.

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

Welcome to profit making method 101 a.k.a. business.

OK, there may be companies doing un-ethical business, but that does not mean that business is all about making money. Ever been into business ? ? Once you are in, you will see how some people keep all ethics in business and some always run behind money and nothing else. Again, it is a personal matter to keep ethics - may be in our personal life, may be in business, may be n social life. Upto the person.

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

What forced? U r saying like the students are blind kids who don't have the ability to think & decide on there own.

Already explained above. If they are addicted to Win (the same state students of Kerala were in - 3 yrs back) they will not get exposed to other alternatives much. Its the school for most of them, they do not have the luxury of a PC at home to try out the alternatives. MS is well aware of that and try their tricks.

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

Ever heard about the Windows Community?

I was comparing teh company MS, not the good people who are in MS community. There are very nice persons I know - best example is Vishal who very rarely (almost never) come to these kinda arguments, but helps others very much. That does not mean that MS help all people. Its the community.

Originally Posted by iMav

better stay away from making such posts

Sorry, no comments to you anymore sir Regarding my posts, I am well aware and always read before I post and I delete / edit my posts whenever I feel its not appropriate. What I meant was to stay away from explaining things to people who pretend they do not understand things

[Cyrus_the_virus]

@din, are you trying to convince these addicts that Microsoft is doing business unethically?lol... I thought you learnt long back

This news has been around for some time and I din't want to post this myself because I knew there was no use fighting with these MS Fanboys talking about microsoft expanding their business ethically.

If they keep doing this, I have to warn them that I'm going to post the entire news about what the tech Industry is saying and royally pawn these 2 fanboys who think they are Microsoft's PRs. I'm warning you, the industry has already agreed about the absolute desperate and unethical attempts by Microsoft in this matter.

And for those who still think Microsoft is not desperate, hmmmm I wonder where they went when I had posted this:
Microsoft's Desperate attempts too woo away Linux users!

[blueshift]

what alternatives are u talking about din?
What alternatives do u want after learning Windows and what alternatives does linux provide?
please explain.

[din]

Offtopic - others, please ignore ..

@blueshift

Alternatives - Other OS instead of Windows, other office suits instead of M S Office, other graphical tools than paid ones. Basically the softwares, OS and other programs which will not cost a lot of $$$$ and at the same time provide all functionalities and more secure and stable.

Linux and Opensource now provide a wide variety of applications, Operating system etc which is best suited in Indian scenario.

After learning windows ? I am confused, I didn't mean using all these after learning Windows anywhere.

[MetalheadGautham]

by using software "donated" by a propiatary company, the kids won't be able to study the os as well as those using oss. besides, linux is MUCH better than windows if you learn it from the begining.

besides, what do they mean by "donating" the os? thats what us FOSS guys have been doing all the time