... to release "some" of the source-codes which it apparently has for Widnows' "Half-Brother" - IBM's OS/2 and let the world see how an unrestrained OS/2 would perform in the marketplace. This may in fact bring Microsoft some of the services revenues it will be seeking in the very near future!
...apps free. in their drive to web based computing, i'd bet money they know that they must also make for-pay ISP provision a service that comes without advertising and brings with it the full security suite they've been trialling. how to package these concerns may well be what's taking so long on the still-distant release dates for IE7 and the Vista o/s. i found it surprising from the article that they're making as much as $7 per computer on the current o/s.
Isn't Windows buggy enough without the thought of making an "Ad Supported" version of it? Also there would be a killer breed of adware that can't be removed without deleting Windows.
Also, It's only a matter of time until someone finds a way to overwrite MS ads with their own, no matter what MS does, there will be someone who finds out how to exploit the built in ads. Even worse, other adware will try and maybe remove the MS Adware, thus rendering Windows inoperable.
This is a great idea, without the ads! Ad-Supported Windows - BS.
What MS Should do is offer a "lifetime" purchase, which basically entitles you to a new version of Windows for life. They should also have "Family Packs" for multiple PCs. I have XP Pro on Three PCs and Home on one. That is ******* EXPENSIVE! I can't wait until a copy of XP can be bought for $50 for a full version.
Apple sells 'family packs' of its more popular software (OS X included). I have an OS X family pack that cost only a few dollars more than the single user license, and I get to install it on FIVE macs. Why would a household be forced to buy the same piece of software for every computer it owns?
Yeah, Windows is expensive, but I've found that most software I need to run has a linux port, or replacement. I dual boot Ubuntu/XP MCE, and I spend most time in Linux. Anything that doesn't run, there's WINE for, or Windows, as a last resort.
This has to be about the worst strategy I have ever heard. The OS that excels in giving shelter to malware, spyware, viri, and all sort of fun little goblins, would make itself even more prone to attack by introducing desktop adware.
Would the public be stupid enough to use this? I suppose some would. But I have my doubts that this would be widely adopted, and would likely begin the first steps towards a crumbling Windows empire.
Should this scenario play out as your are predicting have you taken into consideration what happens to the world's mountains of data that will be locked up it Microsoft's proprietary software format since as it is widely believed that over 90% of the desktop space is under control by this company's products. What needs to be urgently addressed is a move by Microsoft towards the adoption of of the proposed Open Document Format (XML...) and the voluntary release of certain source-codes so as to safe guard against lock-ins in case of catastrophic failures such as the one you have described above. I am quite certain that after "Enron" and other similar scenarios there are certain controls in place.
&for the empire to crumble and you will only turn blue. With over 40 billion in bank it has enough money to continue at its present pace without a penny coming in. With around 20% increase in revenue last quarter that it still has plenty of penniesss flowing in. So hold your though and sorry to break this news to you ;)
Not really. I do think that they should charge for media player and the other app.s that are bundled, the IE/Browser for another.
WHen people have to PAY for a product and not get it as the default then they compare products on the MERITS. This unfair bundlling/integrating of monopoly software (Windows, Intenet explorer, Office) stifles innovation, but also makes writing software easier. This dicotomy has been the problem. But now Open Source, Free software is changing, restoring things for the better IMHO.
OpenOffice.org 2.0 is an excellent office suite... Those who use PGP, should look at GNU Privacy Guard. Google is involved with some cool things that are free (Picasa, Gmail, Google Earth)... okay - those are not open, but they are good and you can't beat the price. I also like what someone said about making OS/2 open... doubt it would happen, but I think it is a great idea. It was a decent OS that got lost in the Microsoft Shuffle. The thing that has been missing for Microsoft for a long time is competition... they swallowed it up and lived the high life for a while and now it's coming back... and they can't buy it, because it is already free. At least they got their new XBOX coming out before their new competition (HA!).
The only software that you currently have to pay for you need from Microsoft is Windows and Office (and that's only because it's made a standard by most schools and businesses). Works and Money are 100% worthless!
I agree totally with you. MS works is worthless and should be discontinued from MS suite of products. It causes formatting issues between word and works and is plain confusing. Also MS Money is useless cause Intuit (Quicken) has more of a market when it comes to financial software (including quickbooks).
I notice that a lot of people have been commenting about OS/2 lately. I went over to IBM and noticed at the end of 2006 they will officially wash their hands of OS/2. I think IBM really did screw up with OS/2. They could have had the best OS around, but like most things IBM does they never put anything behind it.
They aren't the only ones who had something promising to only watch it fade into history. BeOS had lots of promise, but the guy who owned it sold it to Palm and then it just went away. There is a community out their working on a Clone/whatever of BeOS, but Palm owns the code and I don't think they open sourced it.
There has been a lot of software that was really good, but for whatever reason they faded away or became outdated. Maybe IBM could open source some of the OS/2 code, but probably not going to happen.
My suggestion to Microsoft is to continue to sell Window OS as shrink wrap product. Put all Application Programs on the web and price them at diffrent level of users experience: from free (more ads interruption) to some fee (less ad) and higher fee (no ad). This business model will protect the current revenue stream while expanding the new market and revenue.
Microsoft could adopt would be to outsource parts of its software development to countries such as Brazil and India (making it easier for acquisition and adoption in these countries also) to help bring down the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to users of its products... this will in turn allow for the people in these underdeveloped countries to afford more American made goods and services that they presently find difficult to obtain and afford. Well, with regards to the questions of ads... don't we all find our eyes glued to the television screen during the half-time -- come Super Bowl! therefore a few occational ads on the computer screen ought not to be a bad idea!
Ok, Ad were and always was the best money making strategy; it's the most direct but without Open Sourcing Windows, MS doesn't want to play with the other children in the sandbox so they don't get the benefits of other Ad revenue. When you have such a thin business model (AD strict) set up it is imperative that you get cooperation from other companies and organizations like Linux, Gnome and Konqueror. For instance, a closed solution not under Shared Source would be very difficult to interpolate with other software so Ad revenue would be very limited to MS' 'ecosystem.'
I suggest MS focus on what I call sub- applications to their prime OS geared toward their live site so people are inclined, but not forced, to use their search engine plus tools like even a desktop tool, like Gnome, Ad-Supported that can be even used on Linux, BSD, Solaris ETC. This would also prove useful in privacy situations because people would trust MS more by being able to see the code plus writes would be more inclined to write code that was very safe and geared towards people's privacy.
They must break it up to become stronger. This is where the action is.
I do not feel that I would like to see Microsoft start including commercials in their software products. Even though I, along with other users, would like to receive free software, I feel the correct place for commercial ads is on the Internet solely. Users should not be subject to view ads while trying to be productive. I believe that most users would be forced to look at other options should ads be introduced into offline applications.
I think they should take the Sun, Google solution to where they will show ads for OpenOffice at the initial download or just get an ad or two in the support forum.
Microsoft started as an O/S software and desktop application company. Google is an internet company where ad campaign makes sense. It seems adding ads in desktop application is going overboard. They should invest more on web development and create cool and different products people can get excited about and serve ads from there. These days Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft are copying one another, and one company who can come up with a really unique product should lead the race. Merely copying other's ajax portal sites is not sufficient. (look at start.com or live.com and netvibes.com) Apple doesn't put ads on their software, but sold tons of ipods. Microsoft needs to work on product development than debating about adding ads in their existing desktop products.
Microsoft is too late, the Linux world has already beaten them to it!!!
Have you guys heard of a service called CosmoPod?? THey've been offering an online KDE desktop for 1 year now. Most recently, they have upgraded their servers. Check it out at www.cosmopod.com.
Making an ad supported OS is the worst idea I have ever heard. The solution to selling more shrink wrapped software is simple...lower your prices. Microsoft has been gouging the public with crappy software for way too long. If the govt had split them up for being an illegal monopoly, the separate divisions would have been more competitive, innovative and cost effective for consumers.
In preparation; perhaps, for its reincarnation in view of the anticipated turbulence on the Redmond Campus to resume battle side by side this time with Linux (with IBM avenging its death) against its half-brother (Windows) for its share of the desktop space: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=1313" target="_newWindow">http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=1313</a>
The hunt is On - OS2 World Bounty System has been launched.
If simply contributing to an Open Source project is not enough, you now have an added incentive. OS2 World.Com has organized an ongoing Bounty Hunt together with OS2 User Group Sweden where you either can claim or sponsor bounties for a particular development project.
Are you a developer?
You now have a chance to earn some money for your contributions. Look through the list of open bounties, pick one and solve it to claim your prize.
If you do select a task to work on you may want to consider posting a note to the development board. If there are others that have selected the same task, at least you will get a chance to coordinate your efforts.
Do you wish to offer sponsorship?
Your contribution will be recognised with a logo and link to your site. We have two versions of sponsorship to choose from:
* Sponsor a bounty by pledging an amount towards a task. Your sponsorship will be visible until the bounty is claimed. Check the table for tasks awaiting sponsorship.
* Become a continuous sponsor by pledging a monthly amount. Your contribution will be distributed amongst various tasks and your logo kept visible for the duration of your sponsorship. Use this form to contribute as a continuous sponsor.
Note: We haven't open the sponsor section yet, but will do so in the next couple of days.
We are also interested of getting intouch with people who wants to participate within the OS2 World Bounty Board to take care of the quality check of submitted code and bounty claims. If you have interest of this, please then contact Kim Haverblad at kimh at os2world dot com.
References:
Bounty Main Section <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.os2world.com/bounties/" target="_newWindow">http://www.os2world.com/bounties/</a>
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OS2 User Group Sweden <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.os2ug.se/" target="_newWindow">http://www.os2ug.se/</a>
bell expressview can help <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.highspeedsat.com/-bell-express-view/" target="_newWindow">http://www.highspeedsat.com/-bell-express-view/</a>
Although a successful ad bid would kill our revenue stream, (we're an ads based content company), I think this is a potential great idea for m$.
Hnoestly though I'm starting to think m$ should say screw windows, and develop a kickass version of Linux. The world has joined forces to become linux oriented, if they adopt the os-os (hah) platform, I think they could steam roll the competition.
Manage updates with the Download App
at that, is just asking for headaches.
Also, It's only a matter of time until someone finds a way to overwrite MS ads with their own, no matter what MS does, there will be someone who finds out how to exploit the built in ads. Even worse, other adware will try and maybe remove the MS Adware, thus rendering Windows inoperable.
This is a great idea, without the ads! Ad-Supported Windows - BS.
What MS Should do is offer a "lifetime" purchase, which basically entitles you to a new version of Windows for life. They should also have "Family Packs" for multiple PCs. I have XP Pro on Three PCs and Home on one. That is ******* EXPENSIVE! I can't wait until a copy of XP can be bought for $50 for a full version.
Brandon Rusnak
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.rusnakweb.com" target="_newWindow">http://www.rusnakweb.com</a>
included). I have an OS X family pack that cost only a few dollars
more than the single user license, and I get to install it on FIVE
macs. Why would a household be forced to buy the same piece of
software for every computer it owns?
Would the public be stupid enough to use this? I suppose some would. But I have my doubts that this would be widely adopted, and would likely begin the first steps towards a crumbling Windows empire.
[Note: substitue Sith or Jedi and its almost funny]
--Illuminathan.
Another way is ask the anti-virus software to block all the adware:D
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://mindyou.xffer.com" target="_newWindow">http://mindyou.xffer.com</a>
I do think that they should charge for media player and the other
app.s that are bundled, the IE/Browser for another.
WHen people have to PAY for a product and not get it as the
default
then they compare products on the MERITS. This unfair
bundlling/integrating of monopoly software (Windows, Intenet
explorer, Office) stifles innovation, but also makes writing
software easier. This dicotomy has been the problem. But now
Open Source, Free software is changing, restoring things for the
better IMHO.
I notice that a lot of people have been commenting about OS/2 lately. I went over to IBM and noticed at the end of 2006 they will officially wash their hands of OS/2. I think IBM really did screw up with OS/2. They could have had the best OS around, but like most things IBM does they never put anything behind it.
They aren't the only ones who had something promising to only watch it fade into history. BeOS had lots of promise, but the guy who owned it sold it to Palm and then it just went away. There is a community out their working on a Clone/whatever of BeOS, but Palm owns the code and I don't think they open sourced it.
There has been a lot of software that was really good, but for whatever reason they faded away or became outdated. Maybe IBM could open source some of the OS/2 code, but probably not going to happen.
They didn't make any money for the people involved and people tend to stop doing things they get no return from.
If MS made Money free and got its revenue from ads, I'd be a happy camper.
-Shaam
strategy; it's the most direct but without Open
Sourcing Windows, MS doesn't want to play with
the other children in the sandbox so they don't
get the benefits of other Ad revenue. When you
have such a thin business model (AD strict) set
up it is imperative that you get cooperation from
other companies and organizations like Linux,
Gnome and Konqueror. For instance, a closed
solution not under Shared Source would be very
difficult to interpolate with other software so
Ad revenue would be very limited to MS'
'ecosystem.'
I suggest MS focus on what I call sub-
applications to their prime OS geared toward
their live site so people are inclined, but not
forced, to use their search engine plus tools
like even a desktop tool, like Gnome,
Ad-Supported that can be even used on Linux, BSD,
Solaris ETC.
This would also prove useful in privacy
situations because people would trust MS more by
being able to see the code plus writes would be
more inclined to write code that was very safe
and geared towards people's privacy.
They must break it up to become stronger. This is
where the action is.
to where they will show ads for OpenOffice at the
initial download or just get an ad or two in the
support forum.
I am sure someone will post a response message and say 'Here you go!! take the link'.
I hope someone will create a one single website where people can go and download opensource software. I also hope this website gets branding.
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.os2world.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=2&id=1132072531" target="_newWindow">http://www.os2world.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=2&id=1132072531</a>
In preparation; perhaps, for its reincarnation in view of the anticipated turbulence on the Redmond Campus to resume battle side by side this time with Linux (with IBM avenging its death) against its half-brother (Windows) for its share of the desktop space: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=1313" target="_newWindow">http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=1313</a>
If simply contributing to an Open Source project is not enough, you now have an
added incentive. OS2 World.Com has organized an ongoing Bounty Hunt together
with OS2 User Group Sweden where you either can claim or sponsor bounties for a
particular development project.
Are you a developer?
You now have a chance to earn some money for your contributions. Look through
the list of open bounties, pick one and solve it to claim your prize.
If you do select a task to work on you may want to consider posting a note to
the development board. If there are others that have selected the same task, at
least you will get a chance to coordinate your efforts.
Do you wish to offer sponsorship?
Your contribution will be recognised with a logo and link to your site. We have
two versions of sponsorship to choose from:
* Sponsor a bounty by pledging an amount towards a task. Your sponsorship will
be visible until the bounty is claimed. Check the table for tasks awaiting
sponsorship.
* Become a continuous sponsor by pledging a monthly amount. Your contribution
will be distributed amongst various tasks and your logo kept visible for the
duration of your sponsorship. Use this form to contribute as a continuous
sponsor.
Note: We haven't open the sponsor section yet, but will do so in the next couple
of days.
We are also interested of getting intouch with people who wants to participate
within the OS2 World Bounty Board to take care of the quality check of submitted
code and bounty claims. If you have interest of this, please then contact Kim
Haverblad at kimh at os2world dot com.
References:
Bounty Main Section
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.os2world.com/bounties/" target="_newWindow">http://www.os2world.com/bounties/</a>
Open Bounties
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.os2world.com/bounties/" target="_newWindow">http://www.os2world.com/bounties/</a>
Development Board
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.os2world.com/cgi-bin/forum/UltraBoard.cgi?action=Headlines&BID=85" target="_newWindow">http://www.os2world.com/cgi-bin/forum/UltraBoard.cgi?action=Headlines&BID=85</a>
OS2 User Group Sweden
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.os2ug.se/" target="_newWindow">http://www.os2ug.se/</a>
www.analogstereo.com/cassette_deck_pioneer_dehp77mp.htm
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.highspeedsat.com/-bell-express-view/" target="_newWindow">http://www.highspeedsat.com/-bell-express-view/</a>
Hnoestly though I'm starting to think m$ should say screw windows, and develop a kickass version of Linux. The world has joined forces to become linux oriented, if they adopt the os-os (hah) platform, I think they could steam roll the competition.