Date:02/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/02/stories/2006030203600400.htm

Back MS multi-language software launched

Our Bureau

XP STARTER EDITION Mr Will Poole (left), Sr Vice-President, Windows Client Business; Mr Dayanidhi Maran, Minister for IT & Communications; and Mr Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India, at the launch of Windows XP Starter Edition in the Capital on Wednesday. - Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , March 1

Software major Microsoft on Wednesday launched multi-language `Windows XP Starter Edition for India' with English and local language computing interface, as part of its efforts to make computers more affordable, relevant and broadly available to first-time users in the country.

HCL would launch desktop PCs with the new Windows XP Starter Edition and Microsoft's entry-level productivity applications suite Works 8, and the offerings would be available on equated monthly instalments (EMI) starting Rs 399.

"India is compulsive about education and parents want to buy computers for educating their children. Although only five per cent of the people converse in English, Indians have an aspiration to master the language. The low-cost PC effect will go a long way with the launch of Windows XP Starter Edition for India," said the Communications and IT Minister, Mr Dayanidhi Maran.