After Windows10, consumers won't pay for updates or upgra  

Lee said:

Some people just don't get it. . .sad. Giving away the house for free just makes no sense. . .

Unless you can make up the money some other way (e.g. ads on websites).

BillyBob said:

It's become a ridiculous world alright, they'll pay $30 for an Apple cable which costs probably a $1 to make in a Chinese factory, but won't pay around the same for an Operating system, that takes thousands of man hours to complete and they claim it's overpriced.
This operating system that glues all the metal parts together and makes it work to download your porn or do your tax or watch a movie.

I don't think you should work in Engineering or Logistics --cost of one of these cables to make in a Chinese factory around .001 cent !!!!!

Ms's future business model is corporate continuing licenses, Xbox type stuff, some robotics, mobile phone apps (from the merged Nokia phones), the cloud AND getting people to buy software via subscription models.

Giving away several million copies of Windows 10 to say XP users who can then be encouraged to take out subscriptions to Office 365 makes perfect sense if Ms feel they can carry it off.

Advertising is actually not a good way in future - especially on mobile phones where screen real estate is small.

If advertising becomes TOO invasive it just annoys people --there's a whole slew of websites I never visit any more because of the far too invasive nature of the adverts - one of the worst being you are forced to watch an excruciating video for a number of seconds before continuing to content.

It's very hard to find a sensible advertising model that works on the Internet - current models are far too invasive and probably do more HARM than good to the seller's products.

Cheers
jimbo

What next, which software should also be free? Why do I have to pay for Microsoft Office 2013 and Office 365? I have used Office since its version 3.0 in early 90's, I don't understand why I have to pay for the upgrades?

I already paid for The Sims 3, why can't I upgrade to Sims 4 for free? I have Photoshop CS which I bought in 2003 and now Adobe is ridiculously demanding money if I want to upgrade it to the latest version! How stupid is that?

Strange world, why can't I get my operating systems and software for free?

Kari

jessejamestw23 said:

Well, I can tell you this much. Microsoft is losing customers, because of this crap. I am finished with this ridiculous thread. Go ahead and pay for your subscription of Windows 10. Not everyone is rich like you. They would love a free upgrade of 10. Enjoy!

If Microsoft goes the subscription route I'll just keep running what I have now until the end of support date for my current Windows and Office. Then I will decide what to do. Windows 10 may in deed end up being a free upgrade for some, but don't expect that trend to continue forever. Where do you suggest Microsoft gets its revenue from to keep producing new versions or Windows or Office if they offer them up for free? They aren't going to make it by just selling keyboards, mice, Xbox and Surface. I don't know about you, but given the choice, I'd rather pay a fee for an add free OS. A lump sum fee would be just fine with me versus a subscription. Time will tell though.

jimbo45 said:

Advertising is actually not a good way in future - especially on mobile phones where screen real estate is small.

If advertising becomes TOO invasive it just annoys people --there's a whole slew of websites I never visit any more because of the far too invasive nature of the adverts - one of the worst being you are forced to watch an excruciating video for a number of seconds before continuing to content.

It's very hard to find a sensible advertising model that works on the Internet - current models are far too invasive and probably do more HARM than good to the seller's products.

I definitely wasn't advocating for more advertising.

I like to way Windows has evolved, where it seems to be going. I am quite sure that if Microsoft one day started to offer a subscription based Windows I would be if not the first to sign up, at least one of those users to sign up the first day possible.

Personally I find nothing negative in a system where I pay for a subscription which gives me the latest upgrades the day they are released. I am an Office 365 user and fan already and I have to say I really like it and the subscription based way I get it.

CountMike said:

I'm afraid even "Free" is in most cases not really free any more. In consumer society it's almost a dirty word denoting something not worthy enough to earn money or even respect. I have always been an aficionado of freeware but even that is difficult to find without some "tails" in form of adds or pushing of even more "freeware". Can't even imagine what a big corporation like MS would make as a condition to give an OS free and to be able to recoup expenses it had to make it.
However, it would be a super good PR for MS to give free Win 10 to early adopters and testers like us which are contributing a lot to OS development and therefore saving them a lot of work and money.

The trick there though, is figuring out which ones are actually running it to try and improve the brand, versus those that just want a free ride. That's why I think, even if offered up for free, your going to have to have an installed and legally activated qualifying version to get it. Anyway, how does that saying go? You can't please all of the people all of the time?