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Windows Operating Systems Software

XP Starter Edition Examined 456

Posted by michael from the windows-with-training-wheels dept.
de la mettrie writes "C-Net reports that analysts do not recommend using Microsoft's new 'Windows XP Starter Edition', a low-cost XP version aimed at the Asian market (and previously covered on Slashdot). The report notes that numerous networking features are removed, and the Starter Edition allows only three applications to be run concurrently. According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'"
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XP Starter Edition Examined More

XP Starter Edition Examined

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  • I'm going to be laughing at this one for days (Score:5, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:52AM (#9974328)
    Starter Edition allows only three applications to be run concurrently. According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'"

    MWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

  • avoid confusion (Score:2, Insightful)

    by w1r3sp33d ( 593084 )
    http://www.mac.com/ [mac.com]
    • Rather:

      http://www.apple.com/ [apple.com]

      My bad on that .mac thing....

    • If the three application limit is really a positive feature that helps keep users organized and reduce confusion, then why isn't microsoft adding this great feature to XP Home and XP Professional? Home and Professional users could use features to help them stay organized and reduce confusion.

      Maybe the issue is that people who are likely (i.e. dumb enough) to buy XP Lite really are more likely to become confused.

    • Re:avoid confusion (Score:3, Interesting)

      by jkeyes ( 243984 )
      Please explain to me how the target audience (3rd world countries) are supposed to be able to afford a Macintosh.

  • What I want to know... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by BJH ( 11355 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:52AM (#9974334)
    ...is what Microsoft is trying to do with this release. It's obvious it won't help at all to stem the flow of pirate copies of the full version of XP, it certainly won't sell to businesses, and it'd be suicide for any hardware manufacturer to use it as their pre-loaded OS.

    • Re:What I want to know... (Score:5, Funny)

      by djblair ( 464047 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:56AM (#9974363)
      I think MS will sleep soundly knowing NOBODY will pirate this OS.

    • Re:What I want to know... (Score:5, Funny)

      by cpu_fusion ( 705735 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:04PM (#9974432)
      > What I want to know is what Microsoft is trying to do with this release.

      Microsoft market research had concluded that hatred for Microsoft was lowest in asia, so they pulled together, worked long nights, and have tackled that problem with the usual Microsoft gusto.

    • Re:What I want to know... (Score:5, Insightful)

      by praksys ( 246544 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:06PM (#9974458)
      I suspect this is a negotiation move. MS complains to third world nation: "Do something about all the rampant piracy." Third world nation replies: "No one here can afford your software anyway, so the piracy is not cutting into your market." MS replies: "Now they can afford the starter/crippleware version, so it is cutting into our market."

      • Re:What I want to know... (Score:5, Funny)

        by mangu ( 126918 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @01:16PM (#9974913)
        MS replies: "Now they can afford the starter/crippleware version, so it is cutting into our market."


        To which third world nation will reply: "we have reached a 100% efficiency in fighting piracy - there is not a single pirated copy of your starter/crippleware version for sale anywhere in our country".

    • Once again limitations that only screw the people who actually pay for their software. Who would pirate this version?

      Just like copy protection that renders games unplayable on machines with a certain cd-rom drive, while it does nothing to stop warez-versions from spreading...

    • Re:What I want to know... (Score:5, Funny)

      by jez9999 ( 618189 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:34PM (#9974655) Homepage Journal
      First, Microsoft created a non-multitasking OS.
      Then, they created a multitasking OS.
      Then, they created a pre-emptive multitasking OS.
      Now, they have created... a triple-tasking OS.

      It's not a step backward, honest!
      • Lead dev: Guys, Angela, we're got to get this XP Starter Edition finished. Where do we stand?

        Dev A: We're on target with everything except the usual... the numerous bugs

        Lead dev: Features, call them features..

        Dev A: --features, we couldn't adapt are a security haz- er, configuration issue.

        Lead dev: Okay, noted. Siramanthar?

        Dev B: Marketing says the configuration issues will not greatly impede sales. But like all our releases, it leaks memory like a sieve. I've spent the last thirty straight days staring at teh debugger... it's just too arcane. The original code was written under the influence of a beer whose like I have not yet tasted.

        Lead dev: About that; I've got a solution from above, but it's not pretty. (developers eye each other uneasily.) We're going to limit the user to running only three programs at a time.

        Dev C: Isn't that throwing the baby out with the bathwater?

        Dev A: Won't our users laugh at us?

        Dev B: I don't even want to think about what slashdot will say about this....

        Lead dev: People, this is direct from the central Hive. We have no choice. Besides, it worked for the celeron. Now, Make Your Time. *clap*

  • Give them some credit! (Asians, not MS) (Score:5, Insightful)

    by djblair ( 464047 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:52AM (#9974335)
    "..this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'"

    This new user base may be overseas, but they aren't retarded.

    • Just look at the quote! (Score:5, Funny)

      by Ieshan ( 409693 ) <<ieshan> <at> <gmail.com>> on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:11PM (#9974495) Homepage Journal
      Just look at the quote. Microsoft originally said, "the limitations helps [those pitiful wastes of resources who use our software] stay organized and reduces confusion."

      Media kindly substituted in "[users]".

    • Re:Give them some credit! (Asians, not MS) (Score:5, Insightful)

      by edunbar93 ( 141167 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:44PM (#9974717)
      This new user base may be overseas, but they aren't retarded.

      Spoken like a man who's never done tech support.

      They don't need to be overseas to be retarded. They just need to be your average end-user.

      85+% of the people that use the internet never use anything more complicated than MSN and e-mail.

      Most of the people I have to talk to on the phone think they have to close any open windows before opening any more. Or for that matter, opening the Start menu. Even if they do have more than one open window, they have no idea how to switch between them.

      These are all things that are the very simplest tasks to us, but most people have no idea about them. These are the people that make up Microsoft's target market.

  • In other news (Score:5, Funny)

    by cpu_fusion ( 705735 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:54AM (#9974353)
    Microsoft went on to proclaim the security benefits of this latest release: "Only three instances of worms, spyware, and trojans can run at once!"
  • ...it's a non starter.

  • Second-class Windows for Second-class Asia (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:55AM (#9974355)
    According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'"

    Because the poor, simple peoples of Asia can't handle the complexities of the full versions of Windows XP? I, for one, am offended.

  • Increased productivity (Score:5, Funny)

    by mukund ( 163654 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:55AM (#9974356) Homepage

    According to Microsoft, this limitation `helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'

    Microsoft's new product: MS-DOS Reloaded?

    • Re:Increased productivity (Score:5, Funny)

      by Waffle Iron ( 339739 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:25PM (#9974586)
      Microsoft's new product: MS-DOS Reloaded?

      There are more advantages to DOS than just the simplicity of single-tasking. Before version 2.0, DOS didn't support directories. Could reverting to DOS 1.0 simplify searches and end user confusion over file system hierarchies as well? I think that the WinFS team should take a look.

      (Opens search dialog:) => Where is the 3rd quarter inventory report for Consolidated Products?

      (The animated dog instantly replies:) => It's on C:

  • You must be new here (Score:5, Funny)

    by teamhasnoi ( 554944 ) <teamhasnoi@yahoo. c o m> on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:56AM (#9974362) Journal
    Instead, because of the unnecessary limitations introduced in XPSE, Microsoft will likely be perceived as pushing an upgrade path and frustrating users.

    Isn't this in their mission statement or something?

  • Economics of software (Score:3, Interesting)

    by TheOtherChimeraTwin ( 697085 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:57AM (#9974370)
    Funny how they go to the extra expense of removing features from Windows (making the code changes and testing the result isn't free), and then they charge less for the product.

    I guess they are saving money by not filling as much of the CD :)

  • But of course (Score:2, Insightful)

    by Tirinal ( 667204 )
    According to Microsoft, this limitation "helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion."

    Anyone willing to take bets on how many posts making bad puns about this statement will be modded insightful instead of funny?

    I love Slashdot, really. :)

  • *LOL* My Rant Follows... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by digital photo ( 635872 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:59AM (#9974386) Homepage Journal

    A "starter" edition that only lets you run 3 apps while crippling the network features? Are they , MS, trying to encourage people to rip off their software or run off to the competition in droves!?

    Why even bother producing something as crappy as this and then market it to a region of the world where there is already full access to the full version!?

    At this point, I wouldn't even look at the price of the software. Why _pay_ for a crippled operating system that all of your software depends on when you can _pay_ for a fully functional operating system or just get one free ala Linux/BSD/etc?

    What's next? A lower priced version of windows that has more bugs and security holes in it? What will that be called? Windows: Security Lite. Less security and more bugs to not confuse the virii and worms out there. Should probably even have a startup logo to the effect of "You're Screwed".

    I'm just flabbergasted that the carp keeps coming out of that company...

    *shakes head* I pray that they don't EVER get into the weapons business.... ~ you didn't pay your licensing fees, so your missle defense system will be down for the next 12 hours while we sort this out... btw, we'll be notifying our foreign shareholders of this...unless you would be willing to pay a maintenance fee while you wait for your license payment to clear....~

  • Spyware (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Matt Perry ( 793115 ) <[moc.oohay] [ta] [45ttam.yrrep]> on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:59AM (#9974387)
    and the Starter Edition allows only three applications to be run concurrently. According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.
    And what happens when the system is infested with spyware? Will the user not be able to run anything because spyware apps are running in the background?

    • Re:Spyware (Score:5, Insightful)

      by Geoffreyerffoeg ( 729040 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @01:50PM (#9975087)
      Good, there's nothing to spy on.

      Actually, I'm pretty sure it'd be three visible apps, not processes (malware would tend to run as a background process or service if it's smart); Windows NT and up (2K, XP) with no apps running has over two dozen processes active; just press Ctrl-Shift-Esc and count. "spoolsv", "svchost" a few times, "lsass", "services", "winlogon", "mdm", the necessary "explorer" and "System", etc.

  • Hm. (Score:3, Insightful)

    by haxor.dk ( 463614 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @11:59AM (#9974388) Homepage
    While the basic user probably doesn't need to run more than three apps at a time (say, browse the web while eding a doc in Office + having an MP3 file playing in the background), are there any bets how long it will be before there is a patch out to allow more than 3 apps open at a time? =)

  • UOS (Score:5, Funny)

    by gcantallopsr ( 451114 ) * on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:00PM (#9974394) Homepage
    I've just developed the Ultimate Operating System. It further reduces confusion among users by issuing a HALT instruction right after a bare minimum startup. I've successfully tested it under x86 and x86-84, and I'm looking for PowerPC 32/64 developers. GNU GPL license. Most compact kernel ever (I call it vendeko-kernel). And no problems with drivers, since it doesn't need them!
  • "Starter Edition allows only three applications to be run concurrently. According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'"

    Hm, so that is to say that it keeps you from starting another instead of merely crashing like the copy on my desktop?

    :-)

    -JT

  • Why do they cripple these versions? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by foidulus ( 743482 ) * on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:01PM (#9974407)
    Are they worried about them being re-exported? If so, they should not cripple the functionality, but cripple the languages. Make it so that all the menus text boxes etc. are only in one language(that cannot be changed). I doubt people in the US want Thai menus etc. They should still be allowed to type in other languages though.

    • Are they worried about them being re-exported? If so, they should not cripple the functionality, but cripple the languages. Make it so that all the menus text boxes etc. are only in one language(that cannot be changed). I doubt people in the US want Thai menus etc. They should still be allowed to type in other languages though.

      After being an unpaid "Windows technician" for all my friends, I can navigate through the system, sometimes without even looking--let alone without reading the text. I know this

  • A lame analogy .... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by shri ( 17709 ) <shriramc@@@gmail...com> on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:02PM (#9974411) Homepage
    Having just one working leg is better than two.. because it prevents you from running around indiscriminately and falling over and getting run over.

    Clue: Let the admins and users figure it out .. some might just need one application... some might need 20. Not everyone's mentally handicapped u know.

  • Three? We should be so lucky... (Score:5, Funny)

    by Soulfader ( 527299 ) <sigspace@@@gmail...com> on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:03PM (#9974420) Journal
    Maybe it's targeted at those people still hanging on to WinME, which was lucky to run ONE app at a time...
  • According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion

    That reminds me of a Logitech wireless mouse I just bought. The outside of the package said in bold letters "Power Saving On/Off Switch". Seems Microsoft marketing is doing the same thing.
    • "Power Saving On/Off Switch"

      Sounds like a joke, but I have actually seen wireless mice where as near as I could figure the only way to turn them off is to remove the batteries or leave them out of the charger until they go flat. An "off" switch really is a feature.

  • How do you enforce 3 apps? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by wamatt ( 782485 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:05PM (#9974439)
    I really love to know. And how do you classify an app? Is your virus scanner running in the background an app?

    Am I missing something here, or is this some sort of elaborate joke?

  • Nice FA (Score:3, Interesting)

    by terrencefw ( 605681 ) <slashdot@@@jamesholden...net> on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:06PM (#9974450) Homepage
    OK, a short and sweet article... that says it all really except for possible outcomes.

    Far from reducing confusion, I think this release will harm Microsoft's image in the far east. Considering just how crippled this version is, $39 or whatever it's being sold for is really far too much. Hooray, a tenth of the features for only half the price. This will clearly harden their image over there as being overpriced.

    As for the three application limit being to simplify things for the users, what are they smoking? What makes them think that just because the users are first time customers, they've never used a computer before? Of course they have, with pirated copies of XP Pro, or Linux of course. This crippleware will fool nobody.

    Still, at least we can be thankful that the guys at MS still haven't got a clue how to deal with the rise of Linux and friends. I'm frankly baffled at how they came up with this idea in the first place.

    Personally, I'm all in favour of poison-pill Windows Update deliveries for unlicensed copies of Windows. I'm quite sure they've thought of that one, but quickly ruled it out because it'd end up harming their monopoly, and that's all they have to hold onto really.

  • Never underestimate the power of MS Marketing (Score:3, Insightful)

    by tisme ( 414989 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:06PM (#9974453)
    I laughed at Windows ME during beta, it was the most bloated and crappy piece of junk ever... but did that stop Microsoft from selling OEM copies to manufacturers and even retail upgrades through advertising? Nope... Windows ME sold 250,000 RETAIL copies in the first four days and OEM copies were bundled with computers from most manufacturers for a long time.

    While I hope that starter edition will fail like nothing has failed before, frankly I think MS will be able to brainwash the masses once again.

  • No, no, no, they're right! (Score:5, Funny)

    by Saint Aardvark ( 159009 ) * on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:07PM (#9974463) Homepage Journal
    Limiting the OS to three running processes helps things IMMENSELY. For example: recently my dad asked for help installing Linux on his laptop. I got a copy of Mandrake Linux and customized the kernel thusly:

    struct ps {
    [ the usual stuff here...]
    } [3];
    Remake the package, remake the CD and off it went. Now, when he boots his laptop, here's what runs:

    1. init
    2. getty (one instance)
    3. login (which execs into bash)
    And boy, was it worth it: I no longer have to answer any questions about GNOME, mounting a USB pen drive, modem drivers. why KOffice messes up the PowerPoint presentation he's trying to read, why he can't run those funky .pif email attachments from his friends, or any of that crap.

    But hey, I know he's going to learn, and will eventually outgrow StarterLinux(tm). I've let him know that once he's got the hang of this he can $$upgrade$$ to Full-On-Whiz-Bang Linux. In fact, if he wants to send the money to me I'll even order it for him.

  • Why not re-release DOS? (Score:2, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward
    With only one application running it's even less confusing!
  • I'm used to Gartner producing reports that are so far removed from reality that the only conclusion I could draw was that they were mainlinking Microsoft kool-aid. But this report, while some of its logic seems out of joint, actually comes to a conclusion that makes sense.

    Is this a sign that they're moving away from being pure Microsoft cheerleaders?
  • To see the forest through the trees.

    This is not a move by MS to make Windows avaliable to those from countries with a lower purchasing power parity.

    This is a move by MS to say, "Well, we CAN blame them for pirating our XP Pro, because we did make XP (cheapo version) avaliable, and THEY, the bastards, decided to pirate XP Pro anyways."

    Good cop, Bad cop. Now they can send in the jackbooted thugs with a clean conscious, or, at least, a slightly less dismal public relations 'spin'.

    3 Apps? Please. Absurd. Ridiculous.

    MS spent far more time making sure that no one would be interested in running XcheaP, so us, in the rest of the world, wouldn't get a lightweight XP.

    Think about it--- XP, with all the cruft stripped out? And cheaper, to boot?

    Just a pedal to the medal operating system capable of running the apps I want, instead of the apps MS thinks I should be running?

    Hah. Right. Need to lay off the crack.

    Glad none of the 8 computers in my home, or the computers I maintain in the office, run windows anymore.

    Screw this nonsense. I laugh at your outrage. Between Linux/Mac OS X, I can do anything I need to do.

    Cheers,
    WhiteWolf

  • Hopefully, this is a security measure (Score:3, Funny)

    by bastard42 ( 575318 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:18PM (#9974532)
    So, a box can only have one worm and two spyware programs? Sweet.

    User doesn't notice worm. Check.
    User is annoyed by one set up ads. Check
    User clicks yes and installs something else. Check.
    User can't run MS Office. Awesome.

    I only have to get rid of 3 things.
    Rinse and Repeat as necessary.

    Why can't we get this here. Or at least post the registry hacks so I can limit user functionality too.

  • Yes, it's Newspeak, but... (Score:3, Informative)

    by JessLeah ( 625838 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:20PM (#9974544)
    Yes, MS is engaging in Orwellian doublespeak by saying that the task limitation will help people... however, they may very well be right.

    I've noticed just two "WinIdiot" patterns of task handling:

    1) Start Word. Type some stuff. Realize you want to view a Web page. QUIT WORD. Run IE. Do what you wanna do. Maybe copy and paste, if you're that Clueful. QUIT IE. Run Word. Realize you want to check your email. QUIT WORD. Run Outlook. Read email. Catch virus. QUIT OUTLOOK. Run Word...

    1) Start Word. Type some stuff. Realize you want to view a Web page. SAVE WORK. RUN IE. Do what you wanna do. Maybe copy and paste, if you're that Clueful. KEEP IE OPEN. RUN WORD AGAIN. Type some more. Realize you want to check your mail. KEEP WORD OPEN. RUN OUTLOOK. Check mail. Want to type more in Word. RUN WORD AGAIN...

    Eventually, you have a bajillion copies of Word running at once...

    Or, in other words, (1)-type people don't realize a computer CAN multitask (don't even get me started on how they don't realize stuff in the taskbar constitutes multitasking.), and (2)-type people don't realize that every time you run something, it eats up more RAM... so they end up with 12 copies of Word running at once...

    * (WinIdiot: computer-illiterate person, who runs Windows, and who doesn't even WANT to learn how to be better computer users-- sometimes, they've been using computers for 20 years, but they're still just as clueless as the day they started)

  • WTF? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by sockonafish ( 228678 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:20PM (#9974548)
    Oh god, the racism...

    Microsoft to Asia: "Brown people are easily confused."

  • Games ? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by William Baric ( 256345 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:21PM (#9974556)
    Can we play games with this ? If yes then it's perfect for a dual-boot system.

  • Nice explanation there, Microsoft (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Jugalator ( 259273 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:32PM (#9974637) Journal
    According to Microsoft, this limitation 'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'"

    OK, so Windows XP Home is confusing to use then?
    Can we expect this new clever feature in Longhorn?

    *sigh*

    Don't they even think before talking?

  • Just like early version of IE... (Score:3, Interesting)

    by rainwalker ( 174354 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:34PM (#9974654)
    ..were only used to download Netscape Navigator, this will only be used to pirate Windows XP Pro. Is the CD-burning functionality included? That would be very thoughtful of them, maybe they could just add links in the Favorites menu to popular warez sites for WinXP, since they so clearly have the consumer in mind.

  • Windows XP DOS Edition? (Score:5, Funny)

    by atcurtis ( 191512 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:35PM (#9974668) Homepage Journal

    Why not limit it to only running 1 application at any time... that way users won't get confused at all ....

  • "Starter version", bah! (Score:3, Insightful)

    by WWWWolf ( 2428 ) <wwwwolf@iki.fi> on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:36PM (#9974673) Homepage

    There's just one thing I've learned about these limited versions. I think it's best summarized by one Finnish proverb: "Poor people can't afford to get cheap things". Do you think it's wiser to spend a small amount of money on the "limited" version, keep limping forward with the limited set of functionality and be never able to buy the full version - or is it wiser to first a little bit more money, and spend it on the full version right away?

    Before I got Linux and its wonderful set of high-quality free tools, I was constantly in pain. Why? The stuff I needed was expensive, and demo shit or shareware stuff doesn't do anything well! Limited programs weren't option - It's unwise to buy toys when you need the real tools.

    Even the name "Starter Edition" is ridiculous. This thing is supposed to be the low-cost alternative to a real work operating system, meant to be used all the time, just like the real version. Yet, the name implies it's only a "Starter" version. Why should people buy a separate "starter" version, since it implies they need the real version anyway? How long are you going to be "starting" the computer use, anyway? Forever?

  • only three? (Score:5, Funny)

    by binarybum ( 468664 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:41PM (#9974706) Homepage
    so let's see...

    1. Gator
    2. Casino.net
    3. Cydoor

    hey! that doesn't even leave me room to run Bonzi Buddy!

  • Inherently offensive (Score:4, Insightful)

    by c0dedude ( 587568 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:42PM (#9974713)
    'helps [users] stay organized and reduces confusion.'

    So people in the US can handle more than 3 apps, but people in S.E. Asia can't? What a bullshit excuse for throwing out a weak piece of crap.

  • ...and the best part is: (Score:3, Insightful)

    by dracvl ( 541254 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:44PM (#9974725) Homepage
    It only runs in 800x600. No other resolutions. Brilliant for those LCD monitors which has a native resolution higher than that.

  • The iTunes store theory (Score:3, Insightful)

    by SilentChris ( 452960 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:45PM (#9974726) Homepage
    A lot of people are asking why MS is cripling this OS beyond recognition. I think it has a lot to do with iTunes.

    Apple pretty much proved that the average person will pay for the convenience of having an "official" (and also easy to download) copy of a song over a free one. Sure, people still pirate, but $100,000,000 worth of music is not chump change.

    So MS releases an OS for a few bucks. If they *didn't* cripple it, some people (think mom and pop redneck) would probably think up elaborate ways to buy it. I mean, why not: you get full support, you know the version you're getting isn't chock full of viruses, and for once you have a legitimate license.

    MS has crippled it to make it less attractive to the average US buyer, but I bet in a heartbeat if they released a version with a few more features and a similarly-low price, mom and pop redneck would buy them up.

  • Design happens first, then marketing... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by LostCluster ( 625375 ) * on Sunday August 15, 2004 @12:48PM (#9974749)
    Clearly, the three application to a session limitation and lack of networking were not features designed to make the OS simpler. They are limitations put in to intentionally criple functionality as that when a user sees a "starter edition" error message, they can also be presented with "That functionality is in the Home version. Please step up by paying..."

    Three is clearly an arbitrarly chosen number based on research and testing... the marketing people were then given the number to work with and then spin it.

  • How would it decide what's an application? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by idealego ( 32141 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @01:20PM (#9974929)
    Is your firewall an application? Is your antivirus an application? Is your volume control an application? Are the several IM's that some people run applications? I have tons of little icons for programs that are running like these but I wouldn't really call most of them applications. I have no idea how the OS is able to tell the difference.

  • Price Discrimination and Piracy (Score:5, Insightful)

    by dedoleo ( 794851 ) <dedoleo@gmail.com> on Sunday August 15, 2004 @01:59PM (#9975134)
    Starter Edition sounds like a great example of legal price discrimination and turning a blind eye to piracy. Starter edition isn't exactly price discrimination. Price discrimination is when I charge a rich person $20 for a hamburger and a poor person $2 for the same hamburger, even though the hamburger cost me $1 to make. Why? Because I want all the money I can get from each person who can afford to pay. This is illegal. Starter Edition is not the same as Home or Professional, so it's not price discrimination, but the principal seems to be the same. Here's where the piracy comes in. Many people in California drive over the 65 speed limit on the freeway. In fact, you'll probably get honked at if you don't. You can even drive next to a cop at 75 with no problem. It's the unwritten law and what is expected. Publicly, Microsoft hates piracy, but to an extent, I believe they silently condone it. Here's why, and I'll use Adobe as an example. Some high school is playing with a pirated version of Adobe Photoshop at home. He can't afford Photoshop and none of his work is for profit or being sold. Adobe loses no money by his use of their product. Now, let's say he gets really good at Photoshop and some day goes pro. Either he, or his company, is going to buy Photoshop for him to use because 1) now he (or the company) has the money to make the purchase, and 2) it's the product that he knows. If he couldn't have pirated Photoshop back when he was a kid, he probably would have ended up using someone elses product and getting good at that. So, this type or piracy, though still illegal, is beneficial to Adobe. The real pirates they're trying to stop are the ones selling mass copies of their product. So this brings me to two, not necessarily exclusive, conclusions on Starter Edition. One) Starter Edition is a legal method similar to price discrimination to get any money possible from the Thais. Two) Starter Edition is a way to milk money from the piracy issue. People may buy this cheap OS instead of using Linux or pirating (because it's affordable). Then, having gained experience on the OS (similar to the high school kid with Photoshop) they will be more compelled to shell out for the full version than to switch to something they aren't accustomed to such as Linux. I feel the three application limit is not for simplicity, but to encourage an upgrade once the user gets used to Windows. An insightful poster earlier pointed out something good I hadn't considered that is relevant to piracy: This may simply be a Microsoft "tax" assuming that new computers come preloaded with Starter Edition. Even though the user is expected to install a pirated version of Windows anyway, they still payed a small increase for the system to be preloaded with Starter Edition.

    • Re:Price Discrimination and Piracy (Score:5, Insightful)

      by JayJayEm ( 220851 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @03:00PM (#9975487)
      Since when is price discrimination illegal?

      You might want to let people like all the large cinema chains know who charge less for a ticket for a student, child or OAP even though that ticket gives them access to exactly the same product, which costs the cinema exactly the same to "produce".

      Price discrimination tends to assist the poorer consumer - if cinemas were unable to discriminate between students and adults the catch-all price would likely be unpalatably high for students.

      However, as you do rightly point out this is all irrelevant because Starter Edition is NOT an example of price discrimination - it is an entirely different (crippled) product.

  • Maybe not so wrong after all (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Lispy ( 136512 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @02:39PM (#9975375) Homepage
    I find this offer as inacceptable as the rest of the Slshdot crowd, but wouldn't it be possible that Microsoft knows it's market? I bet they made extensive research in Asia and it turned out that most people will be satisfied with an operating system as crippled as this. I am not really sure if I wouldn't try it if I was really short on money but wanted to run my favourite games or office app.

    Maybe Linux might be 10 times more powerful but some people just like to use Word and IE? Maybe not everyone needs network because there is no broadband or LAN-Party around?

    I know it sounds totally insane to us but maybe not so much to your mother or a thai. And don't forget that dealing with free operatingsystems still takes some time for a newbie, WinXP is commonly known...

  • Lovely (Score:4, Insightful)

    by dtfinch ( 661405 ) * on Sunday August 15, 2004 @03:13PM (#9975552) Journal
    When you make something worthless, even free would be too expensive.

    They say "we'll sell you less for less". But that's not a great offer if they can get more for less elsewhere. They need to put more value in their products. Say, make XP Home and Pro better and make XP Starter what XP Home was.

    Businesses don't buy licenses from Red Hat at $3k per server because Linux is cheap.

    After enough times trying to run 4 apps at once, I'm betting that Linux is going to look really attractive to anyone who shells out the $4 needed to purchase XPSE. They already spent $100 or more on the system, so they'll want to get as much out of that investment as possible, and the cost of XPSE will far exceed the $4 price. I doubt that XPSE will let you make a 4 headed system, with one cheap pc connected to 4 cheap monitors, keyboards, and mice.

    There is exactly one case I can think of where someone will want XPSE, and that's to run Windows games, unless they put in something to prevent dual boot.

  • In a countermove, the Slashdot starter edition ... (Score:3, Funny)

    by scruffy ( 29773 ) on Sunday August 15, 2004 @03:50PM (#9975760)
    ... uses light colors on a white background to help users stay squinted and confused.

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