Microsoft, is this a joke?

I found a Microsoft grant program in a pamphlet recently that touted an opportunity to receive free operating system licenses from Microsoft for donated PCs. One of the stipulations was that the computer must possess a Pentium III or OLDER processor. Now if that was enough of a joke, the free operating system disk and license was for Windows 2000. I literally had to laugh out loud when I read this. First, I haven't seen a Pentium III in running condition in over two years and secondly, Microsoft is going to give me, for free, and operating system they don't even support any longer.

Delving deeper into the program, Microsoft Fresh Start for Donated Computers, I quickly discovered that the program closed as of March 27, 2009….less than a month ago. It has been replaced with a new program Community Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers (MAR). This program has almost as laughable stipulations:

1. If the computer does not posses an OEM license for Windows, it can be licensed for Windows 2000.
2. If the computer possesses an OEM license, for any version of Windows, it can be licensed for Windows XP.
3. Eligible recipients, but not academic entities, can obtain Office 2003 for donated computers.

The program's web page goes on to say it "was created to increase the number of usable PCs available to nonprofits, schools, and low-income families across the globe by reducing the cost of software to refurbishers. The Community MAR program also benefits the environment by giving new life to a significant number of computers that may otherwise be destined for landfills."

Now what really gets me going is that Microsoft is so engaged with making a buck that they miss out on the opportunity to provide free, tax-deductible goods and services to schools and non-profits that would eventually continue the cycle of Windows users in the marketplace. Sure most donated computers can't run Vista - many brand new computers can't handle the memory requirements either. But why do they bother with offering Windows 2000? At least provide Windows XP - and how come Academic institutions are not eligible? Aren't we teaching the future computer users of the world? What if we were using Ubuntu? Where would that leave Microsoft in five years? What about ten?

In reality, every spring when I add up the annual costs fo running Microsoft operating systems at my school district, the thought of running Ubuntu and Edubuntu across the district crosses my mind. What stops me? A thousand issues that would arise from such a deployment - but one day Microsoft, the annual costs associated with running your operating systems will outweigh those issues - and that will be the day that Microsoft stops receiving our taxpayer money. Even worse than that - my district will be training students to use non-Windows desktop environments; students who are and will be consumers.