Here is a newsreport at IndianExpress.com Click here to go to http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/government-asks-microsoft-for-discount-on-windows-os-government-4730448/, which says "Government asks Microsoft for discount on Windows OS". The IndianExpress also adds: "Microsoft Windows 10 Home is currently available for about Rs 8,000, while the Professional version costs about Rs 13,000. Millions of computers in India operate on Windows operating system. However, only a small portion of this is powered by the latest Windows 10 OS".
ybrao-a-donkey's personal views which are not intended to be imposed on others
India trumpets itself to be a technologically advanced country, particularly in the arena of computer software. Mr. Donald Trump, the President of United States views that India is knocking away all the jobs of Americans, to the Indian Soil. His object of placing restrictions on H1-B Visas is to take back all such jobs to United States.
India has sent hundreds of satellites into Space, both its own satellites, as well as satellites of other countries. Now, ostensibly it is on a Mission to Mars, and Moon.
India makes tall claims of reaching the World's No. 1 Economic Power in a few years. Now, let us see, what Mr. Gulshan Roy, India's National Cyber Security Adviser is reported to have said to PTI:
“...We have asked Microsoft to offer a one-time special pricing, so that people are able to replace their old OS with the latest OS (Windows 10). ...” National Cyber Security Advisor Gulshan Rai told PTI.
"... While the pricing discount is still under discussion, the government would like it to be Rs 1,000 or lower ...The idea is to ensure that people are able to upgrade their systems in the wake of ransomware attacks.
Microsoft did not respond to email queries.(IndianExpress).
yb-a-donkey: The very object of appointing Mr. Satya Nadella, as Microsoft CEO appears to be, to leverage his 'Indian-background' to promote sale of Microsoft products in India, particularly to Government Departments, and Corporations. He might have fairly succeeded in that effort/task. Or else the Microsoft's Real Owners will not have continued Mr. Nadella.
Though Microsoft's Windows Operating System may be the largest-sold Operating System in the World, it is commonly agreed that it is the most unsafe and vulnerable operating system from the point of view of security and viruses. Of course, Microsoft may be from time to time, supplying patches to improve the security of their Windows.
Various distros of LINUX Operating System are available FREE OF COST, and OPEN-SOURCE.
Why do Governments in India, both 29 States and the Central, stand in queue to beg Microsoft for discounts, for an OS which is very vulnerable, unreliable? It may be true that Windows come with some frills and temptations, and is somewhat user-friendly superficially. Probable Reason: Developers of Linux Distros do not approach the Government of India, or its Departments, Corporations, the Governments of 29 States, their Corporations, because Linux is not a Commercial OS. Linux Developers have a global commitment to distribute their Versions FREE OF COST, and with PERMISSIONS TO STUDY THE SOURCE AND MODIFY IT FROM TIME TO TIME AS PER NEEDS. Consequently, they get no income from the distribution of Linux Operating Systems. Not only the OS, but also whatever Software Packages are available in Windows commercially for a price either from Microsoft or from others, they are by and large available with Linux OS Developers FREE OF COST, under a TRUSTED REPOSITORY SYSTEM. That means, most Linux Packages come from Reliable Sources, with basic security needs already in tact.
Installing a software containing malware-ransomware (u7sually exe files) surreptitiously is not possible because for every such installation, the Client System will also for a System Password, which may not be available with the Operator. Such passwords are held by the Owners/Administrators of the System, and the Operators have to approach the Owners/Administrators. Linux Systems use a File System called 'Ext-4', which most of the malware/ransomware viruses designed for dos, fat32, and NTFS, cannot identify. Even if a virus-containing exe file is copied into a Linux ext-4 System, they cannot execute or multiply or erase anything. Though, I cannot vouchsafe that Linux Operating Systems are 100% virus/malware/ransomeware/phishing-proof, my personal practical experience, at least, shows by and large Linux based OS's are safe. For example, I have been operating Ubuntu Operating System from 2011. I have used versions like 10-04, 10-10, 12.04, 15.04, 16.04. The first two digits represent the years of release. The last two digits 04 refers to April, 10 refers to October versions.
Prior to that from 1998 to 2010, I was used to work on Windows machines, which used to crash repeatedly, especially when there were power failures. On the other hand most Linux distros, including Ubuntu, withstand the vicissitudes of power failures. On resumption of power, when we switch the machines on, they reboot without FUSS.
MS Office's Five Packages, another mess.
MS Office is not free. For example if we buy Windows 10 spending the 13,000 or the 8,000 bucks, still we have to buy MS Office separately, or beg Service Engineers/Local Dealers to install a pirated version. On the other hand, in Linux, there are numerous packages which work better than MS Office. Example: Open Office, Libre Office, AbhiWord,KWord.
For image processing Linux based packages such as Gimp, Inkscape are as good as Adobe PhotoShop.
For Reading PDF documents, PDF Readers are available free. There is also a free SCRIBUS, a page maker as good as Adobe.
What happened for the BOSS Operating System developed by C-DAC, an organ of Government of India?
From the above Screenshot it can be seen that BOSS OS developed by C-DAC using Linux Kernel is available for downloads. Link for download is here: Click here to go to https://www.bosslinux.in/boss6.
It is not clear why the above web site is not using a suffix '.nic.in', which is common for most Government of India, and State Governments' Websites. A screenshot of the BOSS Desktop is available at the above webpage bosslinux.in. The Desktop may not be as attractive or versatile as the Unity Desktop of Ubuntu16.04, but, yet, this BossLInux seems to have some Government initiative at the beginning. But the Desktop shows Gedit, LibreOffice icons. Probably, they are auto-installed along with the OS.
May be because, the C-DAC, a Government/ Quasi Govt. Organ,-- it may be suffering from the usual slow responses and red tapes, as we see in some other Government Organs. Still, I feel that they can come up with improved Desktops, and with some Default Packages such as Document Readers, Image Readers, Gimp etc. available for auto installation along with the installation of Linux. Those Govt. Employees/Officers/Politicians who do not want to say goodbye to Windows, can be persuaded to try Dual booting Operating Systems.
In case of Systems in Private Homes, stand alone Systems in Government Offices, the Government of India, and the 29 State Governments can popularise the use of Bosslinux OS, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and other Linux Distros. Then, there will be no need to beg Microsoft to beg for discounts.
To come back and continue adding / deleting / modifying.
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ఘోరమైన విమర్శలకు కూడ స్వాగతం, జవాబులు ఇవ్వబడతాయి. Harsh Criticism is also welcome.