Mr Maran, you need to have a different set of advisors.

This comes in the wake of reported pronouncements that Maran would ask Bill Gates to reduce the price for Windows Starter Edition.

Let me start off with a discliamer here- I have a deep disgust for proprietary software and specially Microsoft. I am really wondering whether a curtailed software would even be sufficient for anyone’s needs. There was a huge hullaballo about thee ways and means Microsoft has shortcharged the customers.

In any case, piracy woes have struck Microsoft, specially in the developing countries. It has been taking “proactive steps” to safeguard its “software”. Bug ridden that is.

Mr Maran, do you know about Linux? Specially Ubuntu Linux? If you give them your address, they would ship the Cd’s anywhere to your destination, FREE of cost. It’s different version, called as Edubuntu is available for free download and has been making news specially as it is tailored for the education community.

Sub 10000 PC is a myth- something that would severly curtail the performance aspect- of course, you would expect the people to be dumb morons and take the bait.

The arguments are mainly academic, whether or not its possible to get in a sub 10k PC. The point here is that you are refusing to look at the alternatives like thin client server model. This would surely go a long way in addressing the digital divide. Perhaps you could focus your attention on BSNL opening up the last mile and the VSNL acting funny to deny access to the ISP’s by means of high usage costs. Or even perhaps, you could try and lobby the Finance ministry to remove the “service tax” on each and everything included.

There’s a lot that can be done- and no need to ask ole pal Billy. He has enough people who hate him to the core of their hearts.

Disclaimer: This is by no way an endorsement of Ubuntu Linux- yet, there are some people who are willing to ship costly CD’s all the way across the world. And of course minus any licensing restrictions. I wanted to highlight this point only. 

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Tags: BSNL, Digital Divide, Funny, ISP's, Linux, Microsoft, Piracy, VSNL, Windows