Microsoft To Save Poor From Having To Struggle With Linux
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Benevolent Microsoft has decided that the children in poor countries should not have to suffer using Linux. After a year of back and forth negotiations, Microsoft has struck a deal wih OLPC [One Laptop Per Child]. Microsoft is going to provide a version of Windows XP for the OLPC computer. Since announcing that the company will also support Ultra-PC’s, also using a version of Windows XP, it seems that the software giant just can’t shake XP and force Vista on the masses.
One comment I read in an article about XP being used on the OLPC computer, stated that Microsoft tried running Vista on a OLPC system, but the crank handle melted and fell off. 
On a serious note this is good news for us Windows XP lovers. Since Microsoft is stuck having to keep Windows XP around for awhile longer, this should guarantee updates, fixes and patches for a long, long time.
But there is another benefit that may also come out of keeping Windows XP around. First, prices of current Vista and future Windows 7 could be lower. Since Microsoft had to modify Windows XP pricing for these mini-computers, which may effect future Vista sales, Microsoft could be forced to cut Vista pricing once again. Also this could be a lesson for Microsoft to make Windows 7 less of a resource hog and more likely to run on mini-computers of the future.
What do you think? What will be the outcome of Microsoft being forced to keep Windows XP around?
Comments welcome.
4 Comments
the oracle
May 17th, 2008
at 10:31am
Since it is a modified version of XP, I’m not sure that helps the average XP user (or prospective user) any more than XP Starter Edition does.
The fact that Microsoft wants to allow XP to be used for a mere $3 per machine shows it is fighting valiantly to get the Windows interface in front of children as soon as possible, and hopes that the familiarity will drive the sales of Windows for years to come. (I tend to think that if Microsoft allowed sales of XP in the US at $40, their fears of piracy would essentially be solved, and the anti-piracy dept could devote their time to other things - like fixing Vista.)
The sad part of the XP usage is that mesh computing will, as I understand it, come to a halt. That was one of the best parts of the OLPC initiative.
Ron Schenone
May 17th, 2008
at 2:31pm
Hi Marc,
“and the anti-piracy dept could devote their time to other things - like fixing Vista.”
Vista needs fixing?
As always, thanks for the comments.
The MIkeness
May 18th, 2008
at 11:09am
well seeing as how MS is working on a 40mb version of windows 7 core system called MinWin or whatever, I dont see them NOT building a slimmed down option in the future. There are ALOT of people they cant reach if they are requiring a $1000 new system to run their latest OS on, and if they want to reach them they’re going to need to cater to that market.
There are ALOT more people who can afford $200-400 than who can afford $1400, worldwide…
Ron Schenone
May 18th, 2008
at 12:13pm
Hi The Mikeness,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.