Is MSN Premium a rip-off?
It's not the company's main focus these days, but Microsoft does still offer a paid service called MSN Premium, which offering services like a phishing filter and parental controls.
The thing is, most of the product's "premium" features are available for free in some form via Windows, Windows Live, or both.
Enthusiast site Windows Secrets thought it was time to point this fact out to the people who are paying Microsoft as much as $10 a month for MSN Premium. Of the 21 features Microsoft touts, Windows Secrets figures only one or two aren't available for free in the same or similar form.
It's unclear how many people are actually paying Microsoft these days for MSN Premium. Many of those who subscribe to MSN Premium get it not by paying Microsoft directly, but rather because the software maker has a deal with their Internet service provider. So they may not be getting much, but they probably aren't paying anything extra either.
For me, this all points to the fact that Microsoft has some legacy issues it needs to deal with and highlights the benefit that the Microsoft vs. Google war is having for consumers.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
Is there a way to keep theses addresses and not pay?
So, while yes, there are most likely some people who are paying for these services and not getting any benefit over what's available for free, there are also people like my parents who've made a concious choice to pay a premium for their ease of use.
Timothy
Try and understand the the needs of the people who are using the products and you will gain a better appreciation for it's demand.
Look at Hotmail, how much does one have to pay to get POP access with Windows Live Hotmail Plus(LOL which idiot thought that up)?
Gmail is free and has lots of features but Google is at less trustworthy then MS.
People paying these outrageous fees should look into getting their own mail server. It is easy, cheap, and far better then having to have a hotmail or msn email address.
software. When I switched to Mac OS X I cancelled my subscription.
You'd be amazed how smart your parents still are.
And since there is no 'business case' for building the infrastructure, I don't see that changing for quite some time.
around because they are a IP. Wake up. Not everybody has
broadband cable or DSL. Some just can't get it. My father in law
lives too far from town for DSL and he has no option for cable. So
he still use's dial up through MSN. Unless your willing to fork out
for satellite internet their is no other option for many.
Voila. My free lance writing biz just got knee capped.
All my emails are gone as is the account used by my clients to reach me.
I have now spent two days in Verizon/MSN's Twilight Zone.
Verizon's reps have a repertoire of stories to bury me in: Here are a few: "You have no MSN Account." "Your MSN account was canceled June 30 -- ooooooh, that's today"; "VErizon is no longer associated with MSN. you need to sign up with MSN and pay them $9.;95 a month." No, you dont have to do that. You get free MSN Premium with Verizon."; " how long have you had your account with us. Oh, that long? Well, that's the reason. You need to to www.verizon.net/micro/betterway and you will be asked if you need to use the MSN portal and then just say yes. Oh,no,I can't send that to you in an email but if it doesnt work, please call back.We will be most happy to help you."; then, "Well, that didn't work because you have no account with MSN, you need to call Verizon."; "Oh no, you need to call Tech Support; I am billing": "oh no, you need to call Bilig, we don't do that here. Your MSN account was canceled by Verizon. We can't help you." ' you never had an MSN account." .." Do you get the picture? In the mean time I have burned up six hours being chased around MSn Verizon land. What in the h***l is happening in these two companies. Oh that I could switch to another dSL company! Sorry, but Does anyone have any productive suggestions?Please. I can't do my work and I have to change my email everywhere! I was told other things that also led to dead ends. But I will spare you. Please, Someone out there. What is going on? Thanks for any suggestions you can give to get meut of this V/MSN Kafka like maze. Johanna
I have Comcast, and as my understanding Comcast gives you MSN, it is including in your internet subscription. So basically I am throwing my money out. I don't want to loose my e-mail. This is just soooo wrong. I don't even know what to do, it is impossible to to deal with them.
- by jmssol March 2, 2009 1:50 PM PST
- Actually, I had the same dilemma and found out the 19.95/month that I was paying for a "subscription" was actually paying for dial-up access that I never used! I cancelled my "subscription" and was able to keep my @msn.com email. Of course MSN won't reimburse me for the last 8 years! Anybody in the same boat?
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