Microsoft Announce "Windows XP Lite"

[JeDiBoYTJ]

to help slow or stop the growing of piracy, and linux in Asia, Microsoft has announced it well ship, at "low-cost", Microsoft Windows XP Lite:

key features/downgrades

- Maximum 800x600 resolution
- Maximum 3 similtaneous programs
- No Networking
- No Multiple User Accounts

woohoo, im sure everyone in Asia cant wait to get their hand on this wonderful product!

this aint gonna do ****... its just another stupid attempt from microsoft to stop the piracy of their products, and the rapid growth of the FREE linux in Asia. I mean come on, Asia is full of tech-savy, computer smart people, they will see this as utter crap - it can only run 3 programs at a time, it Cant network 2 or more computers, it only allows 1 user account, and all at a limited resolution? haha. who the hell is gonna buy that, even if it is a 'lower price'?


http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/biztech/08/11/thailand.xplite.ap/index.html

[edesignuk]

I really did laugh my arse off when I read this on the BBC yesterday, what in the world are they thinking!?!?!

[ChrisFromCanada]

Really if you think about it this is the oppostie of what they should do, but, of course out of pure dumb luck they are going to somehow be successful with it.

[AppleMatt]

My Performa 630 could manage 1024x768...how many years ago was that?

AppleMatt

[srobert]

Wow! They seriously neutered windows. My old "Lite Brite™" had more features that this light version of windows.

To me it simply looks like asian people will have one more reason to pirate microsoft or switch to Linux. This OS is an insult.

[dubbz]

- No Networking

Microsoft's final solution to the spyware problem.

Go MS! ;)

[musicpyrite]

key features/downgrades

- Maximum 800x600 resolution
- Maximum 3 similtaneous programs
- No Networking
- No Multiple User Accounts



Yay! More ammo against windows users when they commend about how gay Macs are.

800x600? my new Apple 30" lcd can display 2560 x 1600 with 16.7 million colors

3 programs? I can multi task!!! I guess DuLL has 128 MB shard RAM for a reason. You don't need 4 GB of ram if your only using 3 programs!

no networking? Windows can't access the internet!!!! :D :D

1 user? how do separate all the adults porn form the teenagers porn from the little kiddies barbie doll games?

This is truly a happy happy day for all m$ haters.

[wdlove]

I guess that Microsoft is going on the theory that if you can't beat them, join them.

Yes musicpyrite, Mac users are happy.

[King Cobra]

- Maximum 800x600 resolution
- Maximum 3 similtaneous programs
- No Networking
- No Multiple User Accounts

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/biztec...e.ap/index.html
First off, the link doesn't work! :mad:

Second, the second stipulation is the big turn-off for me. Let's see: iTunes, Mozilla, and iChat... that's it? Ah, just get Pro.

[srobert]

The more I think of it the more I'm preety sure it's gonna be dubbed:

Windows XP Lite-Brite

[Sol]

It is not as bad as everyone here makes it out to be. For those of us who would buy something like Virtual PC or a real PC just to play games this cut-down Windows would be a good, cheap option.

Besides, how hard do you think it will be to hack this version of Windows to go on the Net?

[musicpyrite]

First off, the link doesn't work! :mad:
.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/biztech/08/11/thailand.xplite.ap/index.html

Besides, how hard do you think it will be to hack this version of Windows to go on the Net?

Why bother? There are many many resources for getting XP home/pro free via the internt or only a few dollars (cheaper than the XP lite) for a CD.

[Elan0204]

This will do absolutely nothing to slow down piracy in Asia. Hmm, by cheap crippled version of Windows from Microsoft, or buy cheaper fully operational copy of Windows XP Professional from street vendor. Hard decision.

[munkle]

One of the reasons Linux is so popular in Asian countries is that a computer bundled with Linux is a lot cheaper than the same computer bundled with Windows XP. Users then proceed to install pirate versions of XP onto their computers.

When I was in Thailand, a country which is often used as an example of where Linux is succesfully being adopted as an alternative to Microsoft (prob the reason why XP Lite was being unveiled there), a lot of people buy these cheap computers which come bundled with Linux but soon replace them with pirate copies of Windows XP. A pirate copy of XP Pro will set you back less than a fiver (pounds that is!) and a lot less for a whole host of other apps. They charge per CD rather than according to the application...so Photoshop will set you back the same as a screensaver!
:eek:

Anyway my point is that the sale is chalked up as one to Linux but in reality the user will have installed the latest versions of Windows on the computer. And nothing about XP Lite will change that. Whilst trying to avoid huge generalisations people are very computer savy in that part of the world and non computer savy households prob don't bother buying computers!

So I don't really see XP Lite as a solution to any of the problems faced by Microsoft in Asia. In fact I see it as a completely useless release :rolleyes:

[munkle]

Oh and for those who are wondering there are plenty of pirate Mac apps being sold and bought too!! Everything from Panther, Final Cut Pro to Sim City and shareware bundles! And they are more expensive than their Window counterparts...do we have to pay a premium for everything!! :D

(Just to make it clear - I did not buy any pirate apps or condone doing so, was just curious! :) )

[sonyrules]

- Maximum 800x600 resolution

WOW, Some killer res there.. Man, i dont know if my monitor can handle that. I dont know, All my messengers might not fit on the screen, OH WAIT!! they wont because there is a


- Maximum 3 similtaneous programs


So even if my messengers were running, I COULDNT RUN ANYTHING ELSE, But then again, i would not be able to surf the net or chat on my IM's Cause there is


- No Networking


So basicly i have a computer that sits there and does nothing, But crashes on its own.

Nice Product MS... Keep working on it

[edesignuk]

Besides, how hard do you think it will be to hack this version of Windows to go on the Net?Can no one read the article properly!?

"The new software retains standard XP features such as Internet connectivity, Windows Messenger, Windows Media Player 9 and digital photography support."

[Elan0204]

Can no one read the article properly!?

"The new software retains standard XP features such as Internet connectivity, Windows Messenger, Windows Media Player 9 and digital photography support."

Right, "No Networking" means connecting to other computers on a local network. You can still connect to the Internet.

[BornAgainMac]

Microsoft solved the problem of people copying Windows and sharing it with their friends or selling it. Make the program so bad that nobody will want to waste a CD to burn it on.

Office Lite should be next. Word is limited to 2 pages and only includes a draft view and no print preview. Access can store up to 500 rows, Excel has only the AVG function and one screen full of information, Outlook works just like the full version of Office but automatically replies to all spammers with a message that you want to learn more about their products and services plus all your vital information in XML format.

[Fukui]

to help slow or stop the growing of piracy, and linux in Asia, Microsoft has announced it well ship, at "low-cost", Microsoft Windows XP Lite:

key features/downgrades

- Maximum 800x600 resolution
- Maximum 3 similtaneous programs
- No Networking
- No Multiple User Accounts

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/biztec...e.ap/index.html
Wow, why didn't they just put windows3.1 on there instead?

[Abstract]

Yeah the resolution is a killer.

3 programs? I can multi task!!! I guess DuLL has 128 MB shard RAM for a reason. You don't need 4 GB of ram if your only using 3 programs!


Don't worry, you could never really run more than 3 simultaneous programs on Windows anyway. :p

[TheInevitable]

I guess it would be effective if XP Lite came bundled with a PC for the same price as a PC bundled with Linux. There is a breed of people that will always use pirate software, but there are also a breed of people that will use whatever OS their computer came with.

[Apple Hobo]

What a sorry excuse of an already sorry excuse for an OS. I'd rather run Lindows on a Wal*Mart PC. http://bellsouthpwp.net/g/s/gserv2/gifs/lol.gif

[russed]

microsoft have managed the impossible - making windows even worse. it sounds like pants. infact i would rather use dos than that.

[iMeowbot]

Of course Microsoft don't really expect many people to use this operating system. People will keep on loading their Linux and prate copies of full Windows, the lite product is just for manufacturer predloading.

It's a way to get a (reduced) Windows tax onto computers, while keeping them price competitive with bare machines.

[iNetwork]

It is not as bad as everyone here makes it out to be. For those of us who would buy something like Virtual PC or a real PC just to play games this cut-down Windows would be a good, cheap option.

Besides, how hard do you think it will be to hack this version of Windows to go on the Net?

What's similar between christmas tree ornaments and a priest's balls:
They're both there for decoration

that said:

It's like castrating a priest, it just doesn't make sense...let's make a crappy product even worse!

[JeDiBoYTJ]

Of course Microsoft don't really expect many people to use this operating system. People will keep on loading their Linux and prate copies of full Windows, the lite product is just for manufacturer predloading.

It's a way to get a (reduced) Windows tax onto computers, while keeping them price competitive with bare machines.

...so microsoft can get more money

[Sol]

It's like castrating a priest, it just doesn't make sense...let's make a crappy product even worse!

I really wish that you had not made that joke. You sound like someone with an agenda against religion. Who are you to ridicule priests? Come to think of it, where do you see a connection between Windows Lite and the priest joke?

[Blue Velvet]

Instead of lite...





Should have been:

Windows XP ****e

Edit: You're kidding -- I can't say that?
Oooooh, spooky.

[Chaszmyr]

I thought this was a joke... Then I saw the article was on CNN.


... Then I realize that many things Microsoft releases could qualify as jokes anyway

[iMeowbot]

...so microsoft can get more money
Right. It's kind of like the RIAA levy on blank audio media.

[OutThere]

Next Up: Longhorn Lite, made to run on just about any computer! Microsoft halved all the system requirements so that people with less money in 3rd world countries could use longhorn too! Longhorn Lite requires a 2-3 Ghz P4, 500 megs of hard drive space and a gig of RAM! And to make Longhorn Lite better for everyone Microsoft has decided to disable the GUI, networking, internet, hard drive, peripheral and graphics support. The computer will communicate with the user through a series of polyphonic beeps issued every 18.6 seconds. The user can send commands to the computer through a special whistle.

[Blue Velvet]

...The computer will communicate with the user through a series of polyphonic beeps issued every 18.6 seconds. The user can send commands to the computer through a special whistle.


I must be a bit feeble from the flu but this had me laughing like a loon...

:D

Loving your work!

[OutThere]

I must be a bit feeble from the flu but this had me laughing like a loon...

:D

Loving your work!


Why thank you, I am pleased to have amused somebody....:D

[macsrus]

Does XP light mean...

1. light on useful features?
2. light on technology ?
3. light on patches required?
4. light on software bugs?
5. light on security( opps we know its light there)
......

and the list goes on

[windowsblowsass]

wow its like 3.1 except worse

it would be even better if explorer(not ie) classified as an application

:rolleyes:


the only viable purpose for this is to run on xbox2w or something but then it would eliminate systemlink and possibly live play!

[macsrus]

What's similar between christmas tree ornaments and a priest's balls:
They're both there for decoration

that said:

It's like castrating a priest, it just doesn't make sense...let's make a crappy product even worse!

Actually in Light of all the problems we have been hearing about priests lately..... Castration might not be a bad idea

[srobert]

key features/downgrades

- Maximum 3 simultaneous programs



I wonder if that's counting spy-ware or not ^_^

Let say you have 2 spy-wares running, you could only run 1 legitimate app :-) One more spy-ware and you can't even run your anti-virus software.

Then again, I might be totally wrong. I'm not very knowledgeable of how virii or spyware work... I use a Mac.

[OutThere]

I wonder if that's counting spy-ware or not ^_^

Let say you have 2 spy-wares running, you could only run 1 legitimate app :-) One more spy-ware and you can't even run your anti-virus software.

Then again, I might be totally wrong. I'm not very knowledgeable of how virii or spyware work... I use a Mac.

I didn't even think of that! That would really really suck! I wonder what will happen when people can't run spybot because the os won't let them run any more apps, heh!

[5300cs]

...
- Maximum 3 similtaneous programs
...

How does this differ from the FULL version of windows? Oh wait...

The no networking sounds good, keep all the windoze numbnuts' off tha interweb (or AOL.)