1014 Is it a matter of Great Pride or a matter of Great Shame for India to beg Microsoft for discounts on its Windows 10 Operating System?

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.

563 Will all future PCs and Laptops sold in India will have only Windows? Are they going to lock the machines? भारत में आगे बेचने वाले पीसी और लापटापों में सिर्फ विंडोस १० ही रहेगा. భారత్ లో భవిష్యత్ లో అమ్మే అన్ని కంప్యూటర్ లలో విండోస్ మాత్రమే ఉండేలా లాక్ చేస్తారా. తస్మాత్ జాగ్రత్త

Mr. Nara Chandra Babu Naidu, in his 15th August 2015 Independence Day Speech, wanted every youth from Residual Andhra Pradesh to become some Satyam Nadendla (Microsoft CEO) or some Sundar Pichai (Google CEO). Well, as Chief Minister, he has every right and justification to advise captive audience and school children imprisoned in the Parade Ground for the Independence Day Celebrations. As common citizens, we too have some rights to advise Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu, whether he listens to them or not.

శ్రీ నారా చంద్రబాబు నాయుడుగారు, తన 15వ ఆగస్టు 2015 స్వాతంత్ర్య దినోత్సవ ప్రసంగంలో, శేషాంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్ లోని ప్రతి యువతీయువకుడు ఒక శ్రీ సత్యం నాదెండ్ల (మైక్రోసాఫ్ట్ సీయీవో) లాగానో, లేక ఒక శ్రీ సుందర్ పిచాయ్ (గూగిల్ సీయీవో) గారిలాగానో తయారవాలని కోరుకున్నారు. భళి భళీ, ముఖ్యమంత్రిగా వారు తమ చేతికి చిక్కిన శ్రోతలను, ప్రేక్షకులను, పెరేడ్ గ్రౌండ్ లో బంధించ బడిన బాల బాలికలకు సలహాలిచ్చేందుకు అధికారం, హక్కు కలిగి ఉన్నారు. అలాగే, సామాన్య పౌరులమైన మాకు కూడ, శ్రీ చంద్రబాబు నాయుడు గారు చిక్కకపోయినా, ఏపేరేడ్ గ్రేౌండ్ లో బంధించబడక పోయినప్పటికీ, శ్రీ వారు విన్నప్పటికీ, వినకపోయినప్పటికీ, వారికి సలహాలు ఇచ్చే హక్కు తప్పక ఉంటుంది.

Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu should be wary with Bosses and Executives of Foreign Corporates who will be meeting him for various purposes which include getting some land allotted at throwaway prices or sell some hardware-software-trash to Government of Andhra Pradesh (In case of Mr. Narendra Modi, the Government of India) . We cannot find fault with the Foreign Corporates, Bosses, Executives, Ambassadors and Consuls because i is their duty, and for that they are paid fat sums.

శ్రీ చంద్రబాబు నాయుడు గారు విదేశీ కార్పోరేట్ల యజమానులు, ఉన్నత అధికారులు, తమను వివిధ అవసరాల కొరకు కలిసినపుడు (చవకగా భూములు కొట్టెయటం, ప్రభుత్వానికి పనికిరాని వస్తువులను అధిక ధరలకు అంటగట్టటం మొదలగు అవసరాలు) , ఎంతో జాగ్రత్తగా వ్యవహరించాల్సి ఉంటుంది. ఈ జాగ్రత్తలతో వ్యవహరించటం అనేది, సెల్ఫీ స్పెషలిస్టుగా పేరు గాంచిన మన గౌరవనీయ ప్రధాన మంత్రిగారికి కూడ వర్తిస్తుందని వేరే వ్రాయనవసరం లేదు. అయితే ఈ విషయంలో మనం విదేశీ కార్పోరేట్ల బాసులను, ఉన్నతాధికారులను, రాయబారులను , కాన్సల్స్ ను తప్పు పట్ట నవసరం లేదు. ఎందుకంటే, వారి వస్తువులు, సేవల మార్కెటింగ్ కొరకు వారు భారీగా చెల్లింపులు చేయబడుతున్నారు, కాబట్టి వారి మార్కెటింగ్ విధులను వారు సక్రమంగా, కొంతమేరకు అత్యుత్సాహంగా నిర్వర్తిస్తున్నట్లే.

Mr. Bill Gates might have made Mr. Satyam Nadendla as an important boss in the Microsoft Empire, because after slow down in China, Mr. Gates may be viewing India as the most important market to fish in. If Indian Executives are appointed, it will be easier for the Foreign Corporates to influence the decision-makers of purchases and allotments in India, through the affinity tools of language, religion, caste, region, what not. Bribing politicians through Indian politicians, and Indian subsidiaries will also be easier, because the communication bridges and channels can be opened up.

శ్రీ బిల్ గేట్స్ గారు, శ్రీ సత్యం నాదెండ్లను మైక్రోసాఫ్ట్ సీయీవో గా చేయటంలో లక్ష్యం మనం గుర్తించటం అవసరం. ఆపరేటింగ్ సిస్టం లు, మరియు బ్రౌజర్ల మార్కెట్ లలో మైక్రోసాఫ్ట్ తన వాటాను కోల్పోతున్న విషయం తెలిసినదే. చైనాలో కూడ స్లో డౌన్ మొదలయింది కాబట్టి, (అమెరికా, యూరప్ లు ఇప్పటికే సంతృప్తావస్తకు చేరుకున్నాయి.), 120 కోట్లమంది భారతీయులు, అందులోను అధిక సంఖ్యాకులు ఇంగ్లీష్ తెలిసి సోషల్ నెట్ వర్కింగ్ వెబ్ సైట్ల దురద కలిగి ఉండటం వల్ల, భారత్ పాశ్చాత్య హార్డ్ వేర్, సాఫ్ట్ వేర్ కంపెనీల కన్నిటికీ, ఒక ఆశా దీపంగా మారింది. అంతే కాదు, భారత్ దగ్గర రైతుల దగ్గర గుంజుకున్న భూములను సెజ్ లు పేర్లతో కార్పోరేట్లకు పంద్యారం చేయటం ద్వారా సేకరించిన విదేశీ పెట్టుబడుల విదేశ మారక నిధులు మూలుగుతున్నాయనలేం కానీ, భారీగానే ఉన్నాయి. వీటితో కంప్యూటర్ హార్డ్ వేర్లను, సాఫ్ట్ వేర్లను, మొబైళ్ళను కొనిపించటం, విదేశీ కార్పోరేట్లకు ఒక ఆకర్షణగా మారింది అనేది గమనార్హం. ఇలాటిదే ఫోర్డ్, బీఎమ్ డబ్ల్యూ, మెర్సిడెజ్ బెంజ్, ఆదీ, వంటి ఖరీదైన కార్లకు కూడ వర్తిస్తుంది. ఈపనులకు భారతీయ ఎగ్జిక్యూటివ్ లు, సీఈవోలు సహాయం ఉంటే, భాష, మతం, కులం, ప్రాంతం, వంటి అంశాల సహాయంతో, కొనుగోలు నిర్ణయాలు తీసుకునే అధికారులను ప్రభావితం చేయటం తేలికవుతుంది. ఎక్కడైనా లంచాలు, కిక్ బ్యాక్ లు ఇవ్వాల్సి వస్తే, భారతీయ ఎగ్జిక్యూటివ్ ల సహాయం ఉంటే, కాగల కార్యం గంధర్వులు తీర్చినట్లవుతుంది.

Residual Andhra Pradesh Government is in a process of setting up its new Capital at Amaravati (Vijayavada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri Area). In the process it may have to purchase thousands of Desktop PCs as hardware fitted with Windows 10 OS of Microsoft. Everybody knows that Windows OS is priced. It is also vulnerable to Computer viruses. For a poor country like India, and for a poor State like Residual Andhra Pradesh, the natural choice ought to have been Open Source Operating Systems based on Linux, such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, etc. which are free (both costwise and disclosure of source codewise).

శేష్ ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్, తన కొత్త రాజధానిని అమరావతి (విజయవాడ గుంటూరు తెనాలి మంగళగిరి తుళ్ళూరు) ప్రాంతంలో ప్రపంచ స్థాయిలో (అదేమిటో, లేని ఆదేవుడికే తెలియాలి) (What is the definition of world level, only the non-existing God should know)నెలకొల్పుతామని రోజూ ఊదర కొట్టటం మనకు తెలిసిన విషయమే. ఈసందర్భంగా మంత్రులు, శాసన సభ్యులు, అధికారులు, ఉద్యోగులకోసం, కొన్ని వేల లేక కొన్ని లక్షల పీసీలను, లాప్ టాప్ లను, టాబ్ లను, స్మార్ట్ ఫోన్ లను, కొన్ని వందల లేక వేల కోట్లు వ్యయం చేసి కొనాల్సి రావచ్చు.

Had the Government of India, and the Governments of all the States in India, purchased blank computers with no operating system and installed Open Source and FREE (no need to buy) OS's , on every Computer they would have saved at least Rs. 20,000/-. (Note this includes cost of purchasing not only Windows, but also MS Office, Photoshop, Adobe etc.). Besides, as Open Source Linuxbased OSs are 99.99% free from Computer viruses, the Computers would have lasted long (extended life). All this would have saved billions of Rs., Dollars and Euros.

Here is a link to a very comprehensive report and review of the nefarious ways in which Microsoft is trying to monopolise the Computer Markets for Windows OS. The technique, ostensibly canvassed by it is protecting the computers through a "bootloader lock" in Computer Bios(es), which prevents installation of other Operating Systems. Though externally Microsoft says that OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers i.e. Dell, HP, Lenovo, et al.) will be free to either switch off or switch on the lock while designing their machines, there is always a possibility that Microsoft may bring pressure on the Computer Manufacturers to remove the toggles altogether, or keep the locks unopenable.

Theoretically, though Microsoft is promising to sign the certificates of Canonical (Ubuntu) and Fedora OSes, to facilitate their installation along with Windows, there is a possibility that Microsoft may armtwist them (Ubuntu and Fedora) to sell their OSs instead of distributing them freely. Besides, apart from Ubuntu and Fedora, there are hundreds of REALLY FREE (BOTH COSTWISE AND OPEN SOURCEWISE) Linux Open Source Operating Systems such as Debian, Porteau for which Microsoft's security lock will not allow installation.

Are we not living in a Free World? What Microsoft is trying to do is, it is trying not only to BLOCK WINDOWS SOFTWARE BY PRICING IT HIGHLY, but also it is LOCKING THE COMPUTER HARDWARE. If Microsoft wants to improve its market share it should compete with better quality products and lower prices. Not by bringing pressure on Computer manufacturers to lock the hardware to prevent installation of FREE OS's.

It should be the buyer's prerogative to decide which OS is to be installed on his PC, laptop, tablet, mobile. Microsoft cannot impose its OS's on countries, people and persons, through deceptive methods.

As politicians, Mr. Narendra Modi and Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu may not have enough inclinations, skills and time to go into the technicalities. But they should keep their eyes open and foresee the dangers involved in keeping their heads into the mouths of lions.

This article has received more than 400 comments from the netizens. I wish that every person, Institution, Government Organisation, I.A.S. -I.P.S. Officer who take purchase decisions relating to Computer systems should study this particular analysis made by Mr. Chris Hoffman.
Click to go to http://www.pcworld.com/article/2901262/microsoft-tightens-windows-10s-secure-boot-screws-where-does-that-leave-linux.html.


There are similar other articles all over the Net, for which Microsoft does not and WILL NOT HAVE ANY REPLY.




The tactic which Microsoft is likely to use for monopolising the Indian and Andhra Pradesh Markets, is going to be influencing through Indians, may be its own executives, or Microsoft India Subsidiaries, other Marketing Firms. Shri Bhaskar Pramanik, the top Executive of Microsoft India has recently met Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu. They have also promised some free Wifi in Srikakulam District by utilising unused TV Spectrum. Externally it appears to be a Good Samaritan Service, but unfortunately it is not. It is like throwing away a dime, to knock away some dollars.

It is hightime that Governments of all Indian States, and Government of India shift to Open Source Operating Systems. Even Safetywise, they are more secure when compared to Windows, and less aminable to hacking. Reason: Windows OS boots as Root (administrator of the machine). Consequently, for installation of malicious software downloaded from internet, when employees and Officers visit porno websites, no password will be asked, and installation will take place automatically as the administrator is on the machine. In case of Linux and other Open Source Systems based on Linux, for installation of any software whether genuine or malicious, an Administrator's password (Root password called sudo's password) will be required, and only Responsible Employees/Officers can be entrusted with the Root Password. This is the reason for security in Linux. There are thousands of hackers and malicious software makers for Windows, because that is easier for Windows owing to its vulnerabilities.

Additional disadvantage of Windows is, FAT/NTFS formatted hard disk gets frequently FRAGMENTED and data gets stored at scattered locations called clusters. With afflux of time, Systems slow down and crash, in spite of frequent defragmentation. Scope for this is very less in Linux. Linux OS has brought life to many old PCs and laptops discorded after Windows stopped loading on them. I am myself using two DISCORDED laptops after installing Linux. Linux Systems need no antiviruses, and hence millions of bucks can be saved for buying antivirus software(s) such as Norton. (To continue. सशेष. ఇంకా కొనసాగించాలి.)