New
#11
Hi there
Sounds a bit like Rapacious Banks / ISP's etc who operate a system of offering New customers really good deals and then when they are all hooked the price goes up ("Monetisation again").
It's known in the trade as "Sucker Deals". Grab them in early and most people usually don't bother to switch even when there are better deals available.
As for shareholders -- don't be too hard on these --I'm sure people want Pensions, other benefits at the appropriate time and you've only got to look at say the example Greece to see what happens if people keep drawing on the State when there isn't money being earned.
We might not like some of the practices in the modern world but NOBODY has come up with a better model that actually works so warts and all I think I'd prefer the US system with a bit of Scandinavian social justice thrown in to any other business model out there.
Companies NEED CASH for innovation -- Shareholders lend their money and IMO are entitled to some reward for putting up the dosh (and taking the risks if a company fails).
Cheers
jimbo
I think MS is following the path of Redhat. You can install their OS for free, but if you want any updates...you have to have a subscription. They are probably looking at it as recurring profits instead of just a one time purchase. It makes sense, just sucks for us...hopefully its not crazy.