Microsoft is planing to launch Windows XP and MS office 2007 for just USD 3.

“The software maker said it will sell a Student Innovation Suite, which includes Windows XP Starter Edition and Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007″ Quote from Yahoo News.

What I think ??

Starter Edition is not up to the mark…

It just would be an eye wash…. I cant say for other countries, but in India, when a father of student who is studying Engg with education load finds it hard to purchase a Rs. 22,000/- computer, its not possible for them to buy or even think of a software or Rs. 7100 (WinXP Pro in Kolkata). As the computer assembler would offer them free installation which would include a pirated Windows XP and a pirated copy of Office too.

What we lack is the education and awareness for the Original software. May the boys father is a Graduate even post graduate, but that doesn’t mean he is computer literate, even if the father knows how to work in computer, simple in India most lacks the culture of the Originality.

Giving the WInXP Starter for USD 3 in India will drive more and more to Piracy. Windows XP starter is really not up to the mark.

What I think is Microsoft should make few offers like bellow, only for India, as Windows XP home OEM Rs. 800 or Max of Rs. 1000 and Windows XP Pro Rs. 2000 or MAX of Rs. 2500.

This Windows XP version may come with NO upgrade to vista or Future OS versions option which would prevent miss use and in future when people have the culture of Genuine OS, they would be prepare to spend money on next computer purchase to buy a future Windows Version.

Regarding office application I personally think to start with Office 2003 should be offered with such cheap price, or even if not, once people has the knowledge and the culture of originality they will either buy Office 2003 or look for alternative such as OpenOffice.org

Microsoft should contact the local assembler, or Hardware shops to put pressure on suggesting Genuine windows with every PC they sell or assemble.

To fight piracy what I feel Microsoft requires in India atleast is the knowledge and culture for Genuine software.

Many may think of option for Open Source, but

How can we go open source, when to max of the Indians Computer means, Windows and Office…

The problem is in root level.

Think about it. When a guy goes to learn computer, when he 1st see one computer, he see the Monitor and the key board and the mouse and the boot screen of a Windows (98, 2k or XP)….

Students are suppose to learn DOS but instade they learn MS-DOS. They are suppose to learn OS but they learn Windows !! They are supposeto learn office application, instade they learn Office 2003.

Many and thats a huge number think Windows / Office as a essential part of Computer just like Monitor or keyboard.

Unless one hit at the root level we cant expect Open Source penetration.

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