Recent announcement from Microsoft just got me by surprise, they have announced that Microsoft office next release will be available online for free for all windows live users for free and users will be able to download the light weight versions many office applications in their official website and use them for free. more at Microsoft Office For Free Surprising move from Microsoft to compete against Google.
Wow, yeah. However, i dont think they really had a choice. They were almost forced into it by competitors. If they hadnt they would have been shut out in the cold.
And they will check your OS for its legitimacy before allowing you to download (!?) the lighter version
microsoft did not wanted to give it free they were forced by government as it was found to have a third party patent technology
I never knew this! perhaps they could buy that technology come on microsoft has all the money in the world!!
Google documents is already free. So who is using MS office? Other than that, you have open office, if you wish to, for free. MS had absolutely no choice other than give it away free or get killed.
I already got a student discount. Only costed me $20, but this is good for everyone out there in the business world as it can cost a whole lot of money to buy for your company.
There has been a patent issue with one of the xml document formats of MS Word, but I don't think that that would make them give it away for free. The patent issue wouldn't go away with that.
the court verdict was limited to MS word and not for entire MS office. plus, it is only applicable to US. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...om-selling-Word-in-US/articleshow/4895255.cms