For a typical desktop budget of about 300 USD, a functional windows (not the crippled one) and office will definitely make the price up to the double. Linux and Open Office is hard to win the ground while the prices are practically the same (almost free that is), but will definitely win if pirated software is no longer available.

When you're working to make ends meet on, say, RM2000-4000 a month (average, 400-800EURs), even a PS2 (RM500, 100EURs) can make you think twice. A PS3 is definitely out of the question, and so are its games, which are about RM150 each.

Price are truly outrageous in Asia especially Window OS and Office. We dont get a same treatment like offer around here so many of us decided to get it "free" instead.

As for the deployment for Linux and Ubuntu. Not much are really interested on it and Microsoft have invest heavily and encourage the Government adopt Window instead.

Hell, software prices are outrageous HERE, not just in asia. You seriously think that computers would EVER have had the same marketpenetration without hacked software?

Why? Why? WHY!!?? WWHHYYYYYY???????

It is sweet, numbers are fudged, I am most entirely sure that linux distributions ARE included in the piracy numbers because of some claims/allegation by M$ that Linux is using their code, I'm not saying that I'm just repeating what I heard.

Question: If nobody owns the alphabet, who can own numbers?

Mmmmm, sweet fudge indeed.

The figures you quote are from the BSA. They, in common with the RIAA/MPAA/IFPI etc. have a long history of plucking numbers out of the air to support their position with little or no evidence to support them. Until they provide full analysis of how those figures were calculated they're not worth commenting on, let alone quoting in your headline! You should be ashamed of yourselves. What has happened to journalism? Can't you do any better than just quote a press release?

I blame Microsoft and the software makers.
Get off your asses and make some real uncrackable protection! That way linux will get a major foothold in these regions.

There's no reason to use commercial software anymore. Use GNU/Linux to support Free Software, compute safely, save money and be legal!