Microsoft eyes making desktop apps free
Posted by Michael Stanclift on 15 November 2005 - 15:13 · 48 comments & 6562 views
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#1 Posted by Ravensworth on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:20
- Adware? Nooo!!
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(5 replies)
#2 Posted by rIaHc3 on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:22
- Windows for free (adware supported)
That would accually work for poor countries. Doesnt sound like a bad idea. -
#2.1 Posted by brianshapiro on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:27
- first of all that sounds like it means the computer has to always be connected to the internet to use, since it has to download ads.
and im not sure third world countries would really appreciate being barraged by ads for western corporations, despite it being free -
#2.2 Posted by Ravensworth on 15 Nov 2005 - 16:39
- If you had an ad supported version of Windows, and you ran Spybot, would it format your hard drive?
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#2.3 Posted by mr_demilord on 15 Nov 2005 - 20:17
- No you will use a pirated copy
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#2.4 Posted by cacoe on 15 Nov 2005 - 22:43
- theres also the fact, why would you target ads at poor third world country computers if you expect to make little profit from it anyway?
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(1 reply)
#3 Posted by Porp on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:24
- Sound's like a good idea.
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#4 Posted by reactionary007 on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:51
- i used to use blue light special free internet from kmart - ad supported. totally sucked. i'll never go back to using software like that again. could be good for some though who could get the stuff no other way.
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#5 Posted by betasp on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:58
- I say sure... where there is an ad, there is an ad-remover.
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#6 Posted by D.S.M on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:59
- For some reason I don't believe this.
I don't think that Microsoft will release a Windows with Ads that sounds really stupid think about security and computer performance ... maybe in programs such as Windows Messenger Live,or Office Live , or any "Live" service
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#7 Posted by domgrimm on 15 Nov 2005 - 16:00
- This is where Microsoft's competition with Google really pays off for us consumers. Free stuff, ads or not, will nearly always be accepted
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#8 Posted by dacbo on 15 Nov 2005 - 16:08
- i thought the whole problem with the internet was that advertising revenue was dwindling and companies are having to move to paid services?
if everything is advertising supported, soon there wont be anything to advertise haha!
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(1 reply)
#9 Posted by onesolo on 15 Nov 2005 - 16:30
- Ohh, I'm already imagining.... a BSOD with an Ad on the upper right corner of the screen....
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(3 replies)
#10 Posted by llbbl on 15 Nov 2005 - 16:50
- Hey do you tink Windows Defender (MS name they stole and renamed MS antispyware) will remove ad's they stick in Windows Free version? ha I bet not.
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#10.2 Posted by jakkyl on 15 Nov 2005 - 18:46
- No, MS Antispyware was officially named "Windows Defender", they are one and the same.
http://news.com.com/Windows+AntiSpyware+becomes+Defender/2100-7355_3-5937989.html
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#11 Posted by aristotle-dude on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:14
- This is the culture of windows? Offer software for free* to people lulling them into thinking it is actually free.
* Contains Adware and spyware to track your behavior for target marketing.
I prefer actual freeware or open source software thank you very much. Mac users would not put up with this kind of crap.
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(1 reply)
#12 Posted by neufuse on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:18
- if they put ads in this they should be strict as heck about what can be in it, i could see those windows like looking picture ads that say "your computer is at risk" or crap and really scare people that don't have a clue...
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#12.1 Posted by The Napster on 16 Nov 2005 - 18:25
- Or imagine a big Viagra add right when your mom walks through the door
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#13 Posted by ViperSnake on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:23
- http://toastytech.com/evil/crash.html
This guy named Nathan has a whole section ranting about IE and Active Desktop, his view of Windows 2006 is very funny...an ad supported OS with ridiclousness everywhere!
warning: this section might be NWS, but the GUI section is WS.
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#14 Posted by Shadrack on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:23
- maybe it won't be so much as in-your-face advertisements, but "anonymous" marketing research. Good reliable research is worth more then just advertisements. You can get research off all participants, where as an advertisement only works if you click on the advert.
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#15 Posted by Airlink on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:36
- I'm sure this will go over like a lead baloon for those of use who are educated about such things; However, the vast majority of PC users don't know their ass from their elbow, so they will buy into this nonsense, with Microsoft proclaiming that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. When the common users realises that it's craptastic, they'll go runing to Google.
So, I say: Go for it Microsoft! Way to drive your customers away from your software!
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#16 Posted by Blackice on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:41
- You guys always overreact. It clearly says this is a concept, and would definatley be per-choice. A "premium" (i.e. no ads) version would undoubtedly be offered - Microsoft isn't stupid, they won't lose the market if they can help it.
Also, I imagine an ad-based version with Windows was simply an idea into how far ad-based products could go. I seriously doubt it made it into anyone's minds after the meeting. An ad-based Windows (as unlikely as it is) would definatley have VERY STRICT advertising guidelines, and would probably find the large majority of ads on the desktop, and in window corners.
It's always good for them to have another system, even if people don't like it - more choices are never a bad thing.
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#17 Posted by gliscameria on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:47
- Nifty. I can see it now.
Your desktop background is advertisements from companies based on a survey you take during the install. Random 5 second pest screens for Viagra, subliminal messages from Pepsi in the background, a Budweiser cursor, random sedans driving across the bottom of the screen, A New episode of Nip tuck!!! SUPER!!!.... who needs spam anymore?
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#18 Posted by LTD on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:54
- As long as you can get your work done and enjoy the free software, without the ad-intrusions being too great, this sounds like an excellent deal for some people.
No need to be so sensitive about these things.
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#19 Posted by soldier1st on 15 Nov 2005 - 18:03
- i refuse to install apps that come with useless adware,i would rather find the same thing but with no adware garbage.
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#20 Posted by spookytay on 15 Nov 2005 - 19:09
- Certainly sounds like MS is fearing the wrath of Google right now. Seems that MS's little brainstorm session was trying to figure out what Google is doing right now. With Google being one of thier biggest competitors right now, using ad's and starting a move towards using open source software.
So far, MS has done everything that Google has tried to do. We had the google toolbar, then along came the MS toolbar, we had google desktop search, now we have MS desktop search. Not to say Google has gained some from MS, we had mappoint, now there's Google maps. MS had a messenging program an now Google does too. Google offered free email storage, now MS is doing it.
Now that google has done all these things, and with ad's mind you, no one seems to be complaining that it will slow down there pc or make it BSOD.
So now it looks like open source and MS will be going at it, but MS wants to make money, so they use ad's.
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#21 Posted by claudiov on 15 Nov 2005 - 19:17
- I think MS is thinking Google.
So we are the ones who really get something
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(1 reply)
#22 Posted by LTD on 15 Nov 2005 - 19:45
- Google does not make an Operating System.
Google does not make an Office suite.
Google's chat application has a much smaller userbase than MSN (plus it sucks, as of yet.)
Google's mail application has a much smaller userbase than Hotmail.
Google is a search engine that offers a few web services and a couple of useful little web-based applications.
Microsoft is not worried about Google. They are simply combating open source (read: free) software . . . with their own free software (with ads.)
Don't read too much into the MS vs. Google "war."
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#22.1 Posted by claudiov on 16 Nov 2005 - 12:02
QUOTE Google does not make an Office suite.
Wasn't Google after OpenOffice.org improvment?
I guess MS won't get what they won't , IMO , not until they start thinking more about US as clients and not Money potential. ( Note that this is a great steap already , still.. )
They're gettin in their head that opensource is always better , even better if it has community suport - take a look at Firefox.. But it will take longer until MS releases some of its sources , maybe never.
QUOTE Google's mail application has a much smaller userbase than Hotmail.
Yeah and i hope it stays that way...
PS : MS has learnt alot of things from Google , don't you agree? Whats up with their beta mail?.. And everything else such MSG Live and etc. ?..MS Learnt alot with Google ehe ...
QUOTE Google's chat application has a much smaller userbase than MSN (plus it sucks, as of yet.)
Well some may agree with you , some may not. I don't.
MSN Msger , in my POV is mostly used by lifeblind kids who like to Nudge theyselves and send those gay stuff to each other .. In my country you can bet that in 10 kids with internet 9 use MSN MSGER everyday - wich is stupid. I do connect to MSN because of my friends , but i will never do it with MSN MSGER , it's the most useless IM prog i've ever seen.Nonsense stuff and full of ****ty ads , nah , not for me.I use Gaim instead , much better and simplier.
Google Talk is simple and clean and plus It'll get really good now that Gaim main developer is working on it. Kids may find it boring , but it has whatever you need.
Last edited by 140709 on 16 Nov 2005 - 12:10
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(2 replies)
#23 Posted by mr_demilord on 15 Nov 2005 - 20:12
- Hahahha MS into adware.
Soon you get a BSOD for a commercial break for 10 minutes.
Or a error message with a ad -
#23.1 Posted by toadeater on 15 Nov 2005 - 22:19
- This BSOD has been sponsored by:
Halliburton.
Press any key to reinstall Windows. -
#23.2 Posted by mr_demilord on 16 Nov 2005 - 08:28
- L()L
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#24 Posted by djurbino on 15 Nov 2005 - 23:12
- "Web advertising tripleplusgood, consumer revenues doubleplusungood ... ad-supported software plusgood?" two Inner Party researchers and Inner Party member wrote in a paper presented to the Inner Party earlier this year. The document was prepared for The Ministry of Truth's twice-yearly DoubleThinkweek exercises, in which Inner Party leader Bill Gates and other Inner Party members gather to consider potential new avenues for The Ministry of Love.
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#25 Posted by AndyD on 15 Nov 2005 - 23:38
- Some of you calling it adware...I wonder if you're using gmail which looks for words in your email to tailor it's ads.
To me, this is a great idea. I think piracy would be less of an issue if the apps went in this direction. I wouldnt want it for an OS but I can deal with the ads if it's in an office suite.
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(1 reply)
#26 Posted by tiwaris on 16 Nov 2005 - 02:19
- MS boys are intimidated by Google. They are feeling insecure and are trying everything desperately to keep their dominance.
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#26.1 Posted by LTD on 16 Nov 2005 - 03:01
- lol, uh, nope.
When Google makes an OS with a good GUI, an Office Suite to go with it, a decent set of developer's tools, and a kickass mediaplayer, perhaps *then* I'll have cause to wonder.
Right now, Google is a glorified search engine that offers a few web-based services. It is not in the software business.
Microsoft is trying merely to expand into Google's own domain as well, by offering similar services.
No worries here.
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#27 Posted by kizzaaa on 16 Nov 2005 - 09:37
- A version of Windows Ad-Supported? No way!
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#28 Posted by computerchan on 16 Nov 2005 - 10:54
- What if I install Ad-aware in an Ad-Supported Windows OS?
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(1 reply)
#29 Posted by Complex480 on 16 Nov 2005 - 15:39
- Let the Windows-Remove-ads-patcher.exe begin

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#29.1 Posted by mr_demilord on 16 Nov 2005 - 16:04

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#30 Posted by Glassed Silver on 16 Nov 2005 - 16:44
- i prefer paying for my windows, i dont want any crappy ads when i start my pc...
my pc is my place thats as if u get a house and the walls are bloated wth commercials so u get X% off...
cmon, i wanna pay for my windows, it aint toooo costy
-fm
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#31 Posted by AeroGlass on 16 Nov 2005 - 16:49
- Windows Ad-supported version:
...your copy of Microsoft Windows isn't genuine
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#32 Posted by matt74441 on 16 Nov 2005 - 20:01
- Comments Cleaned.
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Although no specific plans have been made, executives within Microsoft are examining whether it makes sense to release ad-supported versions of products such as Works, Money, or even the Windows operating system itself, according to internal documents seen by CNET News.com.
"As Web advertising grows and consumer revenues shrink, we need to consider creating ad-supported versions of our software," two Microsoft researchers and an MSN employee wrote in a paper presented to company executives earlier this year. The document was prepared for one of Microsoft's twice-yearly Thinkweek exercises, in which Chairman Bill Gates and other top executives gather to consider potential new avenues for the company to follow.
Microsoft officials confirmed the authenticity of the paper, dated Winter 2005, but declined to comment on its contents. However, a Microsoft source characterized the paper as an internal brainstorming exercise.
"It is simply an exploration of different models of delivering software to customers," the source said. "It is not policy, it is not a plan, and no decisions have been made--it's just some thoughts from our research and business units."
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