I saw this on Slashdot today.
“Windows XP Starter Edition is designed for beginner home computer users who are seeking a more affordable computing solution for their homes. As such, it is designed for low-cost, entry-level desktop PCs running value-based processors,” a representative for Microsoft said in an e-mail.
Everyone should have seen this coming. As soon as Micro$oft said that it would make a lower cost (but retarded) version of it’s XP operating system available for users just starting out with a computer. this was to be an effort to lower the amount of piracy that takes place when a customer, who just paid hundreds of dollars for the hardware are now told they have to pay an extra hundred for the OS. Now if they buy anything faster than a P4, Duron, or Geode CPU the low cost value XP OS won’t load. Lets look at it from the stand point of the customer. He just bought a used P4 at the local night market for $100. It is pretty used and beat up but it is pretty much in good shape. The hard drive was cleaned and it needs an OS but after buying the computer he is pretty much busted broke. He can either pirate a copy of XP (but I know that I won’t be able to get updates if he does that), he can buy the retarded version of XP (well, he could except I didn’t buy a total piece of crap, he was thinking of the future and he fugures the computer should last for a while), he could hold out and try to find a deal on a real version of XP (you know that everyone can sit and look at their new computer for months on end and never have the urge to use it) or he can get a Linux install for free (ok, the cost of the CD, but that’s like $.05).
What would you do?
The operating system will not work on computers running Intel’s Pentium 4 processors or the Athlon from Advanced Micro Devices, a public relations representative said on behalf of Microsoft. Instead, it will run on computers containing Intel’s Celeron chips, AMD’s Duron or Geode chips, or processors from Via Technologies.
Give me a freaking break… Let people use the retarded version of XP on any bleeding box they can fit it on. If they are not totally turned off by the brain dead limitations on the software and wipe the drive and install something else, then they should have the option of buying a full version of XP. Screw the ‘we only sell the OS to PC makers. Pull the stick out Microsoft, loosen up and figure it out. If you give people the option to go legit you would be surprised at how many do. Look at Apple and iTunes music downloads. If no one wanted to pay for downloaded music I doubt that Apple would be raking in the bucks right now.
Windows for India, others won’t run on faster chips
Microsoft, XP, greed, idiots, dumb
