Microsoft/Linux and piracy issues

Filed in archive Software on May 21, 2007

Indian computer users are not happy with the way Microsoft is trying to fight piracy.

There are several thoughts as to how piracy in highly populated countries like India, China and Mexico are handled. On the one hand there is the idea that Microsoft should sell operating systems like Windows Vista for a lot less considering that the average income for computer users is somewhere around the US$12,000 mark per annum. Charging a lot less than the current US$400 for Vista, say around US$50 fewer people would be encouraged to use pirated version.

I really don't think there is much Microsoft can do to fight piracy due to their archaic version of charging money for bits and bytes that has already paid the cost of development even before it hits Indian/Chinese soil.

Canonical have an updated version of developing and distributing Ubuntu/Kubuntu and Edubuntu. They give the operating system away for free and make money on providing installation/consulting and other activities for a fee. This method of distribution and charging is highly profitable for Canonical.

There is no such thing as a pirated version of Ubuntu -- that whole concept is squashed by the "free" price of the operating system. Businesses/individuals who need consulting help then pay a fee; simple, piracy is a thing of the past for Ubuntu.

Microsoft change your business model for the market you are entering.

As for you and I, running Kubuntu (very much like Windows XP) is perhaps the way to go. Free is free!