Microsoft aims to double PC base (BBC) {$3 OS/software bundle}

Microsoft software will sell for just $3 (£1.50) in some parts of the world in an attempt to double the number of global PC users.

The firm wants to bring computing to a further one billion people by 2015.

Governments in developing countries can purchase the cut-price software, if they provide free PCs for schools.

Other companies and organisations are also trying to boost computer literacy in developing countries, notably the One Laptop per Child project.
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In addition, chip-maker Intel has developed the Classmate PC, while its rival AMD has launched a scheme called 50x15 that aims to put computer technology in the hands of half of the world's population by 2015.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6571139.stm

As MS says, this is a business decision. It is not philanthropy.

You WILL be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

An' I'm a aimin' ta GIT me some.....