Pirate version of Windows XP gains popularity in Zimbabwe
A Chinese computer Operating System has invaded the Zimbabwean market and it is selling way cheaper than what some IT specialists call its original.
The Ylmf, as it is called, is a complete pirate of the Windows XP. It appeals to the Windows XP market as it can run most programs that can be run by Windows XP. It takes the design and graphics of the Windows XP too.
Even though the person who pirated the software from Windows XP was jailed in August 2009 for three and a half years and a US $147.000 fine, the software is still very much in use, especially in Zimbabwe where IT technology is not that big and people do not really see or care about the difference.
In Zimbabwe one can buy a copy of the pirate software for a mere US $2 from any computer accessories shop.
America’s multimillionaire, Bill Gates, complained about software piracy in China when he issued out a statement in 2007 that read: “Although about 3 million computers get sold every year in China, people don’t pay for the software”.
Now this trend might also prove to be true in Zimbabwe, where Ylmf OS appears to the casual user as XP.
Initially the Ubuntu based distro had no English translation, meaning that it only targeted the Chinese market initially, thus tapping into a market field with 10 million computer users. With an English version the pirate copy is going international.
by Mercy Mujuru
Some 90% of software in Zimbabwe is illegal or pirated.
Mugabe loves to give away PC’s (from China) loaded with plundered software to schools and his comrades. This are naturally in violation of global Copyright and Intellectual property laws that Zimbabwe typically ignores.
74% of MDC PC users are also guilty.
No wonder the self-professed guru of Information Technology Nelson Chamisa is totally silent about all of his cronies violating international law and proprietary rights.
Can anybody now tell the difference between the cultures of the MDC and Zanu PF?
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Why steal, beg or borrow when one can use the real thing??1?
Come on people, be smart, Ubuntu is FREE and very very good.