NEWS Gartner has labelled Microsoft's upcoming version of Windows for developing countries as a product with good intent, but poor execution.
In a report published this week, Gartner analysts Dion Wiggins and Martin Gilliland noted that missing features in the Windows XP Starter Edition would frustrate users, and claimed that its limited software upgrade path would "likely increase software piracy".
Microsoft this week announced its plans to launch the cheap, easy-to-use version of Windows XP in five emerging markets, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Targeted at first-time users, some features have been removed, such as file and print sharing as well as support for local area networks.
In its report, Gartner agreed that such home networking functions have "little relevance" to Microsoft's target audience. However, it chided the software giant for imposing other restrictions, such as allowing users to run only three applications at any one time.
The research firm also cited security as an issue, particularly the provision of patches and updates for users with slow and expensive internet connections.
"Many citizens who do not own a PC are already familiar with basic PC use from cybercafes and schools," said Wiggins, who is VP and research director of Gartner Research and Advisory Services. "Windows XP Starter Edition is likely to frustrate these users as it is not delivering the same quality experience due to the limitations imposed."
He added that Microsoft's lack of an upgrade path from the Starter Edition means that more advanced users will have to pay the full retail price for XP Home Edition. This may prompt users to turn to bootleg alternatives and lead to increased software piracy, he said.
In conclusion, the authors recommended that enterprises should not consider the product, while even consumers should "steer away" until it has been "retooled to grow with the user".
When contacted, a Microsoft spokesperson said its research indicated that "first-time computer users tend to use a small number of programs and windows at the same time, which helps them stay organised and reduces confusion".
She added that Microsoft would continue to gather feedback from consumers over the next 12 months.
Aloysius Choong writes for CNETAsia
Comments
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1. Me
A waste of time in my opinion. All that will happen now is we'll see pirated versions of this being offered.
2. anonymous
This must be a joke. Run only three apps at one time? Isn't Windows supposed to be multitasking? When I started, I ran only one app at any time for the simple fact that Windows would crash otherwise! I would have loved to be able to run several things at once, but maybe that's just me. Today, Windows is able to run several apps at once, but they're going to take this away?
If it was free, I might think this would be _somewhat_ sensible (after all, you get restricted copies of most programs as free downloads), but IMNSHO it's not even worth the material of the CD.
Fight Linux with this? I don't think so. Here we have the message: "with Microsoft, you pay for an OS that limits you in all possible ways, while with Linux you get, for free, all you might ever want to do!". It only serves to emphasize the difference between Microsoft and Linux.
Go (away), Microsoft!
3. Life_N_Cancun
Let me get this straight.
I can pay ~$36 for a crippled version of windows with poor support and no expansion options, and be legal....
.........or..............
Go around the corner and get a Full Version, (cracked/pirated) with everything a $299 copy would have for $10, and not be legal.......OK
If they were smart they would build a version where you can buy addons, to slowly expand features as you need them at a reasonable price ($10 per feature or so) to allow people the option of eventually having an almost full version, but not having to buy it at once.
4. The Mitch
what can you get for 36$? A full, XP Starter; a pirated WinXP Pro with a pirated Office 2003, and a pirated antivirus; a complete Linux distro with 7 months of support for Cedega (Win32 emulation layer for games) - personally, my choice is made: a crap-load of apps, the ability to run about anything that is available on a x86 computer, all of it legally... Linux + Cedega. And that's for non-complicated things; I personally run Mandrake 10.1 + Wine. Cost: time.