CompuWorld

Licensed Windows, MS Office For $3

This Article Is Sponored By You! | Thursday, April 19, 2007 by Salman Siddiqui | Comments
I am now blogging on my self hosted blog CompuWorld and started another blog of mine the Senorita

Microsoft Corp., trying to meet its goal of doubling the number of computer users to 2 billion by 2015, promised to cut its software prices to governments in developing countries that provide free computers to school children.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates announced the program at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said it plans to offer a software package called Microsoft Student Innovation Suite for $3 to governments purchasing and giving Windows-based computer to primary and secondary students.

The software bundle, which will be available in the second half of 2007, includes Windows XP Starter Edition, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, Windows Live Mail desktop and other programs.

"This is not a philanthropic effort, this is a business," Orlando Ayala, senior vice president at Microsoft's emerging segments market development group in an interview before the official announcement.

In many emerging markets, Microsoft has seen its software pirated and sold at a fraction of the price of a genuine product. Microsoft said the technology industry must also adapt business models to developing nations.

The company is working with retailers and computer makers in Brazil to test a pay-as-you-go system, because that model has been successful with mobile phones in the country.

Source: Reuters
technorati tags: windows at $3

Labels: announcements, microsoft

My Mom Hates Me Blogging!

Will You Help Me Show Her That I Am Good At It...Please?

==========Your Comments==========

>>>>>>>Click Here To Leave Your Precious Comments.<<<<<<<

“This Article”

1.  Anonymous Says:
   April 19, 2007 at 2:31 PM  

   This is the official competitor with the Negroponte's 100$ PC for developing countries. And it's also a competitor to the pirate market of those same countries...

2.  Anonymous Says:
   April 20, 2007 at 8:28 AM  

   Discounted commercial software is a threat to fair trade in the labor market. This “giveaway” and the continued discounts to the “emerging nations” in part is an effort to maintain and expand the pool of low cost offshore labor. Far from a charitable act, it is a loosely disguised marketing program to preserve Microsoft’s dominant position. It does so in a manner that discriminates against the population of developed nations and tampers with fair trade and fair competition. Where are the discounts for the poor in developed nations? They don't exist and it's not an oversight.

3.  Unknown Says:
   April 20, 2007 at 11:50 PM  

   To Anonymous:
   
   That would be the difference between a business and a charitable organization.
   If Microsoft started handing out their products to every poor person that came their way... they would stand more under the category of a charitable association than a business corporation.
   If this move of theirs helps those living in the underdeveloped regions, and at the same time feeds further expansion regarding Microsoft then... why not?

4.  Salman Siddiqui Says:
   April 21, 2007 at 1:20 AM  

   ofcourse this is business, no charity!
   
   read para 5, Orlando Ayala is saying the same thing!