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[technomaniac_tzp]

REDMOND, WASHINGTON -- In a shocking revelation that sent gasps throughout the audience, Bill Gates announced today at a press conference that the next version of Windows, tentatively called Windows MT (Microsoft Technology),formerly named Longhorn, is going to be available for free to everybody who wants a copy.

There will, however, be a few strings attached.

"We are fully embracing the concept of free software," Gates said while dozens of reporters sat with their jaws on the floor. "All copies of Windows MT will be made available to the public at no charge."

The audience came back to Earth, however, when Gates revealed that only a tiny portion of the core Windows system will be included in the Free Edition. Everything else will cost extra.

"Under this new patent-pending pricing system, customers will be able to mix-and-match the features they want," said Gates with a hollow grin. "This will save users money while fostering enhanced innovation."

During a weekly dig through the garbage cans behind the Microsoft Campus, a Reuters correspondent uncovered a preliminary copy of the new Windows MT pricing system. The document lists over 550 "add-on licenses" that will be available for users to purchase.

It appears that the core Free Edition will only include the Windows kernel, Internet Explorer , a TCP/IP stack, Microsoft Outlook(Virus Delivery System), and the Windows License Manager application, called SLAVE (System License Activation and Verification Engine).

SLAVE features a "zero-click licensing" system that makes it easy for users to select, purchase, and install the additional features they want from MASTER, the Microsoft Automatic Software Toll Extraction Regime. Unlike Amazon, the user doesn't even need to click on anything to make a purchase -- they just hover the mouse over a portion of the screen for three seconds.

Some of the available add-on features for Windows MT might include (with tentative prices in US dollars):

* Solitaire ($10)
* Basic firewall ($10)
* Enhanced firewall that kicks into operation before the TCP/IP stack is launched during boot ($75)
* Command-line shell ($25)
* Command-line shell that is more advanced than MS-DOS ($50)
* Java plug-in for Internet Explorer ($500)
* Start Menu ($5)
* Registry Editor ($10)
* Notepad ($10)
* Calculator ($5)
* Control Panel ($10)
* Minimize/Maximize window controls ($3)
* Standard fonts ($15) - the Free Edition only includes MS Comic Sans
* Windows Help system ($5, but free after rebate)
* Right-click context sensitive menus ($10)
* User manager for creating accounts other than "Administrator" ($45)
* Basic spyware detection tool ($10)
* Upgraded spyware detection and removal tool ($100)
* Advanced TCP/IP stack allowing more than 10 open sockets at a time

Pundits wasted no time hailing the new Windows MT paradigm as the "greatest revolution to hit the computer industry since the invention of ASCII." Said one shill over at LinuxShillInsider.com, "This bold new Microsoft strategy will make open source software obsolete. After all, why use a free Linux system when you can use a free Windows system?"

The Gartner Group issued a statement saying, "This is exactly the kind of visionary move that we have been predicting for the last five years. We told you this would happen."

Microsoft has been tight-lipped about the release date for Windows MT, with a spokesperson saying only, "We expect a 4th quarter delivery." However, it wasn't immediately clear whether he was talking about Windows MT or the birth of somebody's baby.


How do you think it will impact Linux and the Free Software Movement? Please air your views here.
_________________
The difference between insanity and genius is measured by success

[asterix]

I've got a computer that runs on Linux and although it doesn't crash, it is a lot like the old DOS Shell that windows started off as. Also, it was not as simple to install.
Windows is MUCH easier for people with few computer skills to use, and there are so many more applications, games and stuff written for it that I think it is too late for ANY new operation system to overtake Windows now.
So, I don't like the idea that Bill has now found a way to screw us out of even more money for his system, but I guess it might be that it will work out cheaper for the average user?
If Microsoft does price itself out of the market, then I guess Linux has a chance, but it needs to be more user-friendly.

[technomaniac_tzp]

Which Linux are you using? Linux does have a shell, but there is also a very beautiful GUI-KDE and GNOME. Infact I like KDE interface much more than Win. May be you have not configured/ installed any GUI in Linux. That is why it appers to you like a DOS shell. Installing Linux may not be as simple as Linux but nowadays most Linux distributiions come with wizards that can help you install easily. Infact, I installed my first Linux at the age of 11. Ofcourse installing Debian Linux is still a bit tough.

Although Windows seems easier I velieve if someone is taught Linux directly without learning Windows, it will appear very easy to her. Ofcourse Windows win hands down in the availabilty of applications and games. Gaming and creating animations are the only reasons I use Windows for. But I don't think its too late. Infact its never late. Now computing is moving from desktops to handhelds and mobile phone. This is one market that Linux can capture easily because of its open architecture.

So lets wait and watch.
_________________
The difference between insanity and genius is measured by success

[asterix]

I have an older version of Red Hat Linux (5.0)
I rarely use it any more, but I got it because I wanted to know how the two systems compared. I know many computer professionals like Linux. I don't know how much of that is driven by antipathy to Microsoft's big brother attitude, and how much is cool professional appraisal.

I think windows has too big a lead to be concerned about Linux, but if MS makes it too expensive, people will start looking around for alternatives - Linux seems to be the only contender.

[technomaniac_tzp]

I can't disagree with you totally that ,yes, antipathy towards MS is one of the reasons for embracing Linux. But this can't be applied to corporate houses where efficiency, relability and cost are the most important things. And Linux is doing well here.

With prices of hardware falling MS cannot charge hefty amounts for OS and office applications much longer. They will have to cut down prices or face extinction. Yes MS has the monetary advantage. MS earns more money before lunch than most Linux and open source company earn in a day.

But MS can't fool users for long. Even IBM was once considered to be indestructible but MS proved them wrong. IBM's OS/@ was defeated hands down by Windows. May be now its time for Windows to get defeated by Linux. No one has seen the future. So we can only wait.

If you really wanna feel Linux install Fedora Core 3 or Linux Mandrake or Suse. I believe it change your ideas about Linux atleast to some extent

Regards,
Sandip
_________________
The difference between insanity and genius is measured by success

[asterix]

Techno,
Thanks for the information about the best Linux versions to try.