2024年9月28日发(作者:支斯文)
微软在亚洲发布低价Windows XP版操作系统
微软件周三宣布今年十月起将在亚洲提供低价Windows XP starter版本的操作系统,以
力争保持其在面对开源系统Linux和盗版的侵蚀下的市场份额。
尽管美国软件巨大微软公司仍保有全球桌面电脑市场的压倒性份额,但亚洲几个主要的
计算机零售商已于去年开始出售安装了Linux的计算机硬件。
相对于完全功能版的Windows XP,这个已被命名为"轻型XP"的操作系统拥有较低的图
像分辨率、较少的网络选项和较弱的多任务处理能力。业界分析者已把这次发行行动描述为
微软反击Linux的先发制人的一步。
CNN--BANGKOK, Thailand (AP)--Microsoft announced Wednesday it would offer a
low-cost starter edition of its Windows XP operating system in Asia starting in October, as it
strives to hold onto market share facing erosion from the open-source Linux system and software
piracy.
Although U.S. software giant Microsoft still holds a commanding share of the desktop PC
market worldwide, several major computer retailers in Asia in the past year have begun offering
hardware with Linux installed.
Industry analysts have described the launch of what already has been dubbed "XP Lite" --
with lower-resolution graphics, fewer networking options and less capacity for multitasking than
full XP versions -- as a pre-emptive move against Linux.
Linux is open source software available for little or no cost to computer vendors and users
because no licensing fee is charged in its basic form.
Microsoft also has said it hopes that the lower-priced products can help combat software
piracy, which is rampant in the developing countries of Asia, where full-priced programs often are
out of the reach of buyers.
The new software, officially called Windows XP Starter Edition, is "a low-cost introduction
to the Microsoft Windows XP operating system designed for first-time desktop PC users in
developing countries," Microsoft said in a news release.
Microsoft acknowledged earlier this year that it was working on the project, but kept details
secret.
The Starter Edition will ship on new, low-cost desktop PCs available through manufacturers
and Microsoft distributors in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, the company said.
It said two more countries in the five-country pilot program would be announced later this
year following further discussions with governments, and that vendors would be informed about
pricing in coming weeks.
Microsoft said key features of the new software would be "localized" help features,
country-specific wallpapers and screensavers, and "preconfigured settings" for features that might
confuse novices.
The new software's "simplified task management" in which "first-time home PC users can
have up to three programs running concurrently" represents a downgrade from the standard XP
system. A full XP version can run many more programs concurrently, depending on the amount of
memory in a computer.
Other downgrades include "display resolution set to 800x600 maximum and no support for
PC-to-PC home networking, sharing printers across a network or more advanced features such as
the ability to establish multiple user accounts on a single PC," the company said.
The new software retains standard XP features such as Internet connectivity, Windows
Messenger, Windows Media Player 9 and digital photography support.
2024年9月28日发(作者:支斯文)
微软在亚洲发布低价Windows XP版操作系统
微软件周三宣布今年十月起将在亚洲提供低价Windows XP starter版本的操作系统,以
力争保持其在面对开源系统Linux和盗版的侵蚀下的市场份额。
尽管美国软件巨大微软公司仍保有全球桌面电脑市场的压倒性份额,但亚洲几个主要的
计算机零售商已于去年开始出售安装了Linux的计算机硬件。
相对于完全功能版的Windows XP,这个已被命名为"轻型XP"的操作系统拥有较低的图
像分辨率、较少的网络选项和较弱的多任务处理能力。业界分析者已把这次发行行动描述为
微软反击Linux的先发制人的一步。
CNN--BANGKOK, Thailand (AP)--Microsoft announced Wednesday it would offer a
low-cost starter edition of its Windows XP operating system in Asia starting in October, as it
strives to hold onto market share facing erosion from the open-source Linux system and software
piracy.
Although U.S. software giant Microsoft still holds a commanding share of the desktop PC
market worldwide, several major computer retailers in Asia in the past year have begun offering
hardware with Linux installed.
Industry analysts have described the launch of what already has been dubbed "XP Lite" --
with lower-resolution graphics, fewer networking options and less capacity for multitasking than
full XP versions -- as a pre-emptive move against Linux.
Linux is open source software available for little or no cost to computer vendors and users
because no licensing fee is charged in its basic form.
Microsoft also has said it hopes that the lower-priced products can help combat software
piracy, which is rampant in the developing countries of Asia, where full-priced programs often are
out of the reach of buyers.
The new software, officially called Windows XP Starter Edition, is "a low-cost introduction
to the Microsoft Windows XP operating system designed for first-time desktop PC users in
developing countries," Microsoft said in a news release.
Microsoft acknowledged earlier this year that it was working on the project, but kept details
secret.
The Starter Edition will ship on new, low-cost desktop PCs available through manufacturers
and Microsoft distributors in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, the company said.
It said two more countries in the five-country pilot program would be announced later this
year following further discussions with governments, and that vendors would be informed about
pricing in coming weeks.
Microsoft said key features of the new software would be "localized" help features,
country-specific wallpapers and screensavers, and "preconfigured settings" for features that might
confuse novices.
The new software's "simplified task management" in which "first-time home PC users can
have up to three programs running concurrently" represents a downgrade from the standard XP
system. A full XP version can run many more programs concurrently, depending on the amount of
memory in a computer.
Other downgrades include "display resolution set to 800x600 maximum and no support for
PC-to-PC home networking, sharing printers across a network or more advanced features such as
the ability to establish multiple user accounts on a single PC," the company said.
The new software retains standard XP features such as Internet connectivity, Windows
Messenger, Windows Media Player 9 and digital photography support.