a lot of qouted posts. but back to the topic about "Microsoft wants you to pay by how much you use Windows" i think this has been implemented a long time ago.. prices varies from lets say, windows xp home edition, professional edition, etc..
I agree with this. Charging per use or per employee has been a practice with many software companies since software was invented. It's all about buying license of use, and in many ways it can cost less for the employer because they are buying in bulk.
As stated several times earlier, Microsoft is already doing this in Brazil and a few other countries. So saying "I don't think they will ever do this" is moot because they already are.
Something i would like to point out about apple people seem to overlook is the software you get. Lets take the $1,199 imac and compare it to a PC with similar specs.. The dell Studio with 20" monitor is about $720. That is $479 cheaper than the mac. But now add video editing software comparable to iMovie in there... lets say on the cheap side $125. Now add something comparable to iphoto (there actually isnt for the PC really) $40 Now if your in college, Microsoft office is $200 (with student discount) iWork is $39 with a mac. i work can do everything office can but better. it can even export to excel, .doc, power point, etc. If you were getting that PC with office, it would be cheaper to go with the mac. But lets assume you do not get office. after you factor in the extra usable software you get lets say you really spend about $350 more for basically the same machine. Now factor in the resale value of a mac. lets say your imac will be worth $300 more in 3 years than the resale value of your dell (i guarantee it will be worth more than $300 on top of that dell) you really aren't spending that much more at all. To put it into perspectivve i bought a 20" 2.0 GHz imac for $1,199 in 07', Sold it 2 months ago for $825 Now how many of you who bout a pc in 07' could sell it for 70% of the price you paid for it brand new? BTW im not a mac fan boy, most of my computers are PC's but i do find myself using the mac a whole lot more.
i can spend max $10 or $20 per year for windows licensing. Anything more than a small amount is robbery! Free software is the future! I love open source and free softwares be it anything. Just look at firefox. Many would follow firefox model.
I wonder if that`s just cuz, the report doesn`t say what you wanna hear... In any case, I don`t understand how are you discrediting the report... & what`s a Microsoftie's article? ...& may I also know, what exactly is the proper way to read Symantec`s vulnerability reports..?? That was not the point. I see. Well, when students do go on a project or something... they`ve gotta collaborate with the professors as well as, students & not only the offices. Why are you getting all confused?? Seems likely to me...maybe a cup of coffee would help!! Let`s see how good you can be this time around...
Im completely against this, normally I admire every move Microsoft makes but surely this is the wrong direction. What about schools? Colleges? University's? They must contribute a lot to microsofts sales, not only for XP and operating systems but also microsoft office and other software. Surely for people who dont use there computer a lot this must be great but they arnt generally the people who are buying their software, ist use the webmasters and programmers who use windows an awful lot. Im sure this would push lots of people to linux and other freeware operating systems.
More than 5 years ago my highschool teacher told me this would happen. You guys don't get it, everyone is doing this. Don't think they will flip a switch and no you have to pay by how much you use it. Think how poeple use google docs, its like excel and word online. You are essentially paying for these things by allowing them to display ads. Microsoft will do the same thing offer their products as a service. You will have choices but for some a service might be better. For example I probably user powerpoint no more than once a month. Why pay for the whole suite of office when I could just pay for what I need and when I need it. To be honest yes the user will pay more in the long run, but you will always have the best most updated software. It will solve a lot of problems. Of course it will be more beneficial but it will work. Its like itunes transformed the buying of a CD to getting the song you want, when you want. It will be successful and they will do great and all you poeple saying you will switch, will be the ones using it!!!! Microsoft rules!!
Also I think google will eventually go from being supported by ads to charging for no ads. They just need microsoft to go first. So micrsoft could look like the bad guys.