Re: [MLUG] Funny article.

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Wed, 3 May 2006, Jennifer Dozar wrote:

> This article sure made me laugh!
> http://www.tectonic.co.za/view.php?id=983
>
> For all you lazy people out there!
>
> Microsoft selling hobbled software to poor countries
> print discuss comment  save
> By Alastair Otter   |   More by Alastair Otter
> 2 May, 2006
>
> Surprisingly, no-one seems to have told Microsoft that it is not good 
> marketing strategy to treat your customers as if they are stupid. Which 
> is exactly what the company is doing with the release in Africa of the 
> stripped-down operating system it calls Windows XP Starter Edition.
>
> Microsoft South Africa launched Windows XP Starter Edition (XPSE) into 
> the African market last week with very little fanfare and market hype.
>
> Which is not surprising considering how the product was received by 
> other media on its intial launch in 2004. Known for its straight 
> talking, The Register labelled XPSE "crippleware". Analysts Gartner said 
> the product had "good intent, poor execution".


One thing that's funny about it is that WinXP is probably widely pirated 
in any country where they will try to sell XPSE.  It probably sells for 
about $1.

Otherwise it is a typical plan to sell a hobbled version at a lower price. 
But how low is the price?  Apparently, MS hasn't made the announcement.

Mike

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