Jalandhar dealer backing Linux to curb software piracy

New Delhi

January 23rd, 2008

The issue of sale of genuine and pirated software has been bothering the
channel partners for a long time. Microsoft has been campaigning for sale and
use of genuine software for a considerable time now and has been taking multiple
approaches to curb the piracy business in the market. Now it needs the effort of
channel to promote genuine software in the market and convince buyers to opt for
original software. It seems channel partners are hearing the message and few of
them have been taking initiatives at their own end that is targeted to drive
original software in the market.

One such initiative has been taken by Jalandhar based Aastha Computers who
has launched Linux based operating system in the name of Aastha Linux that could
be used for official tasks, designing, multimedia and programming and many other
applications.

The Linux based OS can be downloaded in 45 minutes and is available at price
tag of Rs 3000.

"I have downloaded the Linux from Internet that was in raw form and have
compiled and formatted it and have installed all the important features. It is a
Kubuntu based Linux and can perform the entire task that a user wants to
do," commented Rishi Kalra, CEO, Aastha Computers.

"There were few limitations with Linux on which I have worked patiently
and found out the solutions for them. Customers are quite apprehensive for
opting Linux but they need to be aware about the drawbacks of using pirated
software. I always recommend my customers to either go for original MS OS or opt
for Linux. Since the price of Linux is much lower as compared to MS and all the
features are available, customers ask me for installing Linux in their
hardware," shared Kalra.

According to Kalra, customers have yet not come up with any complains about
Linux and they are not having any hurdles in using the operating system. Talking
about the awareness level of customers in upcountry market, Kalra shared that
customers are still not aware of the options that are available in the market
and if they find genuine MS OS to be highly priced, it is the task of dealer to
help them in making better decision instead of installing pirated software.

Talking about advantages of Linux, Kalra added that Linux is much of any
Windows version and it is reliable for office, designing, multimedia and
programming purposes along with many things that any computer user has not found
in Windows. "I would like computer dealers all over India to buy this
original operating system where piracy has badly reduced computer hardware
business," added Kalra.