Comments on: Microsoft eyes making desktop apps free

Documents show some insiders are questioning whether existing software should be supported by ads, CNET News.com has learned.

[Captain_Spock]

If OS/2 is "dead'"; again, as some say...

... then why are "they" meeting in Dresden, Germany, from November 18th to 20th.?

http://www.os2world.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=2&id=1132072531

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: http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=1313

[Thunder Johny]

IBM avenging its death

http://www.analogstereo.com/mercedes_cls_class_owners_manual.htm

[Captain_Spock]

Want to make some money? This Just In!!!

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
http://www.os2world.com/bounties/

Open Bounties
http://www.os2world.com/bounties/

Development Board
http://www.os2world.com/cgi-bin/forum/UltraBoard.cgi?action=Headlines&BID=85

OS2 User Group Sweden
http://www.os2ug.se/

[208774626618253979477959487856]

It will happen!

When the hell freezes over...
www.analogstereo.com/cassette_deck_pioneer_dehp77mp.htm

[208774626618253979477959487856]

Bill must be sleeping well tonight

http://www.analogstereo.com/cassette_deck_pioneer_dehp77mp.htm

[service.satellite]

When the hell freezes over...

bell expressview can help
http://www.highspeedsat.com/-bell-express-view/

[Techrat]

Ads

Adware, more adware, then comes ever more spyware. How silly can MS become. Scary thought.

[Thunder Johny]

Scary thought

http://www.analogstereo.com/fiat_ulysse_owners_manual.htm

[CaughtThinking]

Brilliant. What about a Linux distro?

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.

[Thunder Johny]

kickass version

http://www.analogstereo.com/isuzu_axiom_owners_manual.htm

[detunedradio]

thanks, but no thanks

A free windows operating system would be nice, but not in the exchange for an advertisement subsized os. Particularly with all the controvery over spyware. I reluctantly purchased a copy of windows xp home edition about a year and half ago for around 120 bucks and can only install it on one computer. One of the biggest flaw I find with windows is the current pricing model; its expensive and it doesn't cover enough pcs. I would like to see the price drop to around 50-60 dollars, and the licenses should expand to include at least 5 pcs. Microsoft may not make as much money but I think it would improve their image a lot, and that could go a long way. And as far as a free ms money and ms works. I don't use either program, and I use open office for word processing etc. and its already free and doesn't use ads.

[Yuhong2]

Microsoft Volume Licensing

For 5 copies or more, there is Microsoft Volume Licensing.
For more information, go to microsoft.com/licensing

[Thunder Johny]

free ms money

http://www.analogstereo.com/porsche_cayman_owners_manual.htm

[debH]

Innovation or repackaging

What has happened to true software innovation at Microsoft. On-line service software or ad-supported software, please ! They reportly have an immense R&D effort but where are those cutting-edge software applications.

We were promised speech recognition but only a few smaller companies such as Scansoft.com and TalkingDesktop.com offer something close to this future offered by Microsoft.com.

Having said all that, MS continues to amaze us just by sheer size in the marketplace.

[Captain_Spock]

Once Again... A bit of History

IBM "introduced its first software-only speech recognition product, Voicetype, back in 1996 by bundling it with the company's then-flagship 32-bit operating system, IBM OS/2 Warp version 4.0."

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=18420

The way to go Scansoft.com and TalkingDesktop.com; keep on keeping on!

[Megustan Salchichas]

office97.com

Why not? I'm sure they have the prowess to turn Office 97 into a web delivered version, and it had about all the functionality anyone would ever need to write their book report on that $100 computer.

[Thunder Johny]

$100 computer

http://www.analogstereo.com/vacuum/miele_s4_compact_vacuum.htm

[RoseBlood74]

Too Late, Microsoft...

You mean we can get a free office suite? Oh, wait... We already have that:

http://www.openoffice.org/

[debH]

Desktop app should talk back, cost under $100

I have used several speech recognition programs over the years including ViaVoice but none seems to come close to Talking Desktop.

The software along with doing my dictation is actually interactive and will talk back to me.

IBM and others are large companies, I guess we only get true innovation from these smaller more aggressive and focused companies.

[Thunder Johny]

aggressive and focused

http://www.analogstereo.com/seat_toledo_owners_manual.htm

[debH]

Interactive Speech Apps

Yes, back when the first IBM pc came out and we were watching movies with Hal type computers, I think everyone thought we would have talking desktop computers in every home by 2000 and not still be using a mouse and keyboard.

[Thunder Johny]

computers in every home

http://www.analogstereo.com/lexus_lx_owners_manual.htm