Microsoft targets the poor

Posted by tech master  |  at  4:31 PM No comments

Recently, Microsoft executives were all abuzz about their latest plan to target 5 billion users who aren't already using PCs. With global population of over six billion people, Microsoft is appalled that only under a billion use its products-including pirated software users. In a bid to make this more Microsoft-dependent world, the company is looking to make deals with governments to provide cheaper versions of its popular software for students and the under privileged.

When you think about it, of all the software that Microsoft makes, two really stand out: Windows XP, Microsoft office. While most of us privileged users might have to spend several months' salaries to afford these software.

The offer? How does $3 sound as a price tag for Windows XP Starter Edition, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, Microsoft Math 3.0, Learning Essentials 2.0 for MS Office and Windows Live Mail Desktop? Unbelievable? Believe it! Termed the Student Innovation Suite, Gates unveiled Microsoft's plans during a speech in China in mid-April. Although the Microsoft student Innovation Suite (MSIS) is meant for students, it doesn't apply only to schools and colleges- students can use this at home, and Microsoft knows that entire family will probably use the same PC.

So is Microsoft selling all these great products for $3 to everyone? Not on your life, as always, there's a catch. Remember, the software is being sold to governments, not the students themselves. And is supplemented by the provision that he governments have to pay at least 50 per cent of the price of the PC that MSIS is bundled with.