Comments on: Microsoft to expand low-cost Windows to Brazil

Company already offers the software in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, with plans to expand to India and Russia.

[TheMidnightCoder]

OSS will hate it, but at least we get the tax $$

When it comes to foreign countries (global economy), I'd like to think the US is getting something for creating the world wide tech boom. I know the MS hates will hate the idea of Redmond making more money, but they do pay taxes to our government.

IBM's On Demand Computing!

To the extent that it is apparent that both Windows and Linux poses certain limitations to some users. for example:- (1). Starter Edition (Windows) will not be sold on store shelves, but only as part of low-cost PCs. (2). Restrictions on the software itself, such as the ability to open only a maximum of three programs at a time; and, (3) Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for ERR (Economic Rate Of Return) Functionalities (for banking requirements; re: http://www.iadb.org/aboutus/index.cfm?language=English ) that are not currently integrated in both Windows and Linux Applications, hence their limitations that may be best addressed by IBM's Computing on Demand Strategies from an hemispheric stand-point through its Global Services Division.

[ahickey]

Unfair

This is unfair.
People for years have been looking for a stripped down version of Windows that uses less resources.
How come only the poor get it...

On a more serious note I actually cannot see any compelling reason to use a stripped down version of Windows. It?s not the OS that?s important it?s the applications.

Think about it. If all you had on your machine was Windows XP you would be using Wordpad for Word processing and Calculator for your accounts.
Unless these systems are packaged with real application they will be of very little value. For this reason there is definitely a compelling case for Open Source.
O/S and applications for free. Assuming the systems are configured correctly the user will have no problems and have the functionality they need.

Share Holder Values! ROI, TCO....

It is all well and good for some to clamour for realistic solutions to their educational, social, economic or other needs whether these are related to computing, travel, business or otherwise. As we all should know, in order that people's needs are met adequate resources must be invested, financial or otherwise.

This said, let us focus on the specific issues with regards to the acquisition of adequate computing technology for as it appears in the present scenario - the availability of a "Starter Edition" (a stripped down version) of the Microsoft Windows Operating System with the availability of a limited number of applications as against the alternatives of the Open Source Linux Operating System and other applications which when all put together may not meet the overall needs of the user communities. In addition to the above; and, with all due respect to the question of being "unfair"... how must the investor or stake-holder interest be met if there are no comparable pricing models or Service Level Agreements innplace (Free and Open Source Software as well as internet access and SLAs are not entirely free). Hence, the issues with regards to the questions of "Share Holder Values", Functionalities, Reliability and the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Why not consider the IBM's WorkSpace on Demand Scenarios! http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg245107.html?Open as one more available alternative that can be considered.