You’ll pay extra for networking

Have you heard about Microsoft’s Windows XP Starter Edition? The features in this loss-leader include no local area networking, only being able to run three applications at once, and no support for file- and print-sharing. According to News.com, Gartner analysts are recommending consumers “steer away” from the product:

In conclusion, the authors recommended that enterprises should not consider the product, while even consumers should “steer away” until it has been “retooled to grow with the user.”

I’m all for any recommendation that leans away from Windows. Lately they’ve been taking some hits on this front and each time I do a little jig of joy. The day this becomes widespread practice… I’ll positively slam-dance with ecstasy.