Speaking of emerging markets, it looks like Microsoft has its eye on Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia and many other countries. Microsoft are perhaps concerned that business in these countries may be forced, due to low operating costs, to take up Linux instead of Windows. And Microsoft does not like that, as you can imagine.

Therefore, Microsoft has officially announced the Windows XP Start Edition program, a five-country pilot program that will provide low-cost Windows to nations with emerging markets. The "Starter Edition" will be customized to each country beyond the normal language customizations required. There will be other localized customisations, including nationalised wallpaper and other designs.

But there may be cutbacks too, in what is offered. Its not clear whether Direct X will be a part of the Starter Edition and there may be may other crippling changes from the Windows XP we know.

The OEM cost, however, may be as low as US$30.

Well you don't really need directx in a buisness environment right? At least not in the types of buisnesses that would be buying $30 operating systems. I wouldnt' imagine those types of buisnesses would be doing much with multimedia applications and files. I'd guess they'd be more concerned with database stuff.

If you are otherwise considering Linux as a platform, you probably don't care about Direct X at all. As you say, you care about databases and stuff like that.

"800x600 maximum resolution"
"can only run three apps at a time."

WTF? LMAO! This is stupid; who would want a crippled OS like that?

If the OS is as crippled as that, perhaps they will use Linux anyway.

I think this will be buried quietly next to Microsoft Bob.

That's rediculous.

If those limitations are going to exist, it better be freeware.