Neowin is receiving reports that Microsoft has released codename "Albany" to beta testers. While details remain scarce, we do have a copy of Albany installed, and have discovered a little bit about what it is. It appears to be a collection of pieces of software from Microsoft, such as Office Home and Student and Windows Live OneCare, available on a subscription basis, possibly the start of Microsoft moving to a "software as a service" sales model.
The subscription also promises free updates, but it is unclear right now if that means major updates, or the updates users who own the full versions of the product receive on a monthly basis. In addition, Microsoft has promised a free subscription, when the beta ends, to the first 200 beta testers who install the software.
Included with the package are: Windows Live OneCare, Microsoft Office Home and Student, and Office Live Workspace, plus Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail, and Windows Live Photo Gallery.
The installation takes "about 20 minutes", and includes a software center of sorts, once installed, which allows you to launch the products included.
Screenshot: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
The subscription also promises free updates, but it is unclear right now if that means major updates, or the updates users who own the full versions of the product receive on a monthly basis. In addition, Microsoft has promised a free subscription, when the beta ends, to the first 200 beta testers who install the software.
Included with the package are: Windows Live OneCare, Microsoft Office Home and Student, and Office Live Workspace, plus Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail, and Windows Live Photo Gallery.
The installation takes "about 20 minutes", and includes a software center of sorts, once installed, which allows you to launch the products included.
Screenshot: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5From Microsoft: "Albany" is the codename for a new all-in-one subscription service of essential security and software consumers told us were most important to them. In one easy install, "Albany" gives you Windows Live OneCare security and performance tools, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, and Windows Live communication and sharing tools, plus an easy way to connect to Microsoft Office Live Workspace.
I don't really want to be paying $10 a month for my operating system, $10 a month for my Office suite, $5 a month for other little services, etc.
IF this happens, I *will* switch.
I don't really want to be paying $10 a month for my operating system, $10 a month for my Office suite, $5 a month for other little services, etc.
IF this happens, I *will* switch.
I'm installing it as I don't mind testing it, but in terms of real world usage I couldn't agree more.
I don't do anything software wise that is a subscription as it just screams nasty to me.
Last edited by shihchiun on 19 Apr 2008 - 01:18
I don't really want to be paying $10 a month for my operating system, $10 a month for my Office suite, $5 a month for other little services, etc.
IF this happens, I *will* switch.
Depends on the price.. What it included and how many computers I could install it on and if that price included upgrades to the next version when it comes out.
I don't really want to be paying $10 a month for my operating system, $10 a month for my Office suite, $5 a month for other little services, etc.
IF this happens, I *will* switch.
I would switch as well. Even if you were to go down the pirating route, getting around a subscription service is fairly likely to be convoluted and tedious.
I would use a linux distro and OOffice for day-to-day stuff and dual boot xp sp3 for gaming if this took place.
(currently using Vista SP1, w/ Office 2007 installed.)
I hope this ain't gonna replace traditional Software in parts somewhere someday... yuck...
interesting for sure, but nothing for me.
I like my software to be available whenever I want it after having paid for it once...
that's also what's pi**ing me off about activations...
imagine me calling MS in 10 years for activating XP for old games and such... they won't for sure let me activate it.
and internet activation is gone then, because you can activate for a damn "lot" of 5 times (woot! thank you microsoft, where shall I send my thank you letter to?).
yea, that's when I'll send thank you letters to hackers who make it possible to circumvent that crap.
Glassed Silver:mac
Last edited by Glassed Silver on 19 Apr 2008 - 13:15
10.00 X 30 = $300.00. Hell No. Costs will be outrageous. Now you rich folk won't mind, but Joe user ain't gonna buy it. And if it were Poker, and that was the river, I'd go all in to bet.
Again, if the price is right, say $20-$30 a year for the full version of Office, not some stripped down version with just the main 4, but with Outlook also! Then I think it's a deal. Because the next version comes out soon, and if you always wanna be up to date it works out cheaper for you. Now they should also keep the pay once option they have now, so people can just get it and keep it for however long they want (lots of people still have Office 2k or older) and don't upgrade to new versions often.
Again it all depends on pricing here, but whatever it is it should be a one time yearly charge and not per month.
nice install gui though, very clean
Assuming computer illiteracy, if a friend were to say (also assuming its 2011 or 2012), "you can save $200 / annum by switching to a free OS, its called Linux, and you can cancel your subscriptions to Microsoft", it might start becoming popular.
Reducing your monthly outgoings as an industry is HUGE, everybody's out to save money. If Microsoft start draining people's bank accounts on a monthly or yearly basis, rather than the OS cost being incorporated into the price of a new PC, then they will see their market share decrease dramatically, with switchers going to (most of them) OS X, and (the rest) to a linux build.
just my £0.02
1) It is an optional service for people that can't afford a large chunk on the software suite, so this helps people that can't spit out the entire costs upfront, and also lets them keep the newest version available.
2) This service has been in the business IT world for YEARS now, with many companies in favor of the option. There are TONS of Microsoft business licenses just like this that provide them with the lastest versions for a better price.
3) Software subscription is NOT new to the world. In fact it is used in more places than people realize. Its model is also identical to many successful subscription services that people have been using for years.
So based on #3, consider this if you still find it appauling.
- Do you use TiVo? It is a software subscription...
- Do you use any music service like Napster, etc that gives you unlimited song access for a fee?
- Do you have cable TV?
- Do you pay for CallerID or Voicemail on your home phone?
- Do you currently pay for Anti-Virus software - it is ALL subscription based unless you are using a free version.
So you don't have to use it, the software licenses will still be purchasable as always, and it is no different than other software or licensing model you ALREADY accept and pay for... So whats the big freaking deal?
I love the comment where people threaten to move to OS X. This is funny, once you get your Mac running and figure out you need utility or that utility at about 30-40 a pop for all these little 'add-on/fixes' to make OS X work like you want or expect, you are paying more than a subscription premium. People in the Windows world don't realize how easy they have it for a lot of common functionality. (And yes I do this professionally, and have watched this happen to 1000s of users.)
SaaS model makes sense for a lot of customers, particularly organizations and in education. But traditional software licenses work better for others like most home users.
This is just an additional option put out in the marketplace. No need to get all uptight about it. If you want a traditional license then go right ahead and get it. But for the customers where a subscription makes more sense they now have that option.
Nowhere did Microsoft ever say it has to be one way or the other, it's simply a new option in the market.
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