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Microsoft Patent Envisions Free Computing
Dotnaught writes "A Microsoft patent application published on Thursday shows the company contemplating free computers and software for its customers. It suggests 'a service provider such as a telephone company, an Internet service provider, or a leasing company may provide computer systems or components to users at a reduced charge or for free in exchange for targeted advertising delivery.'"
I seem to remember about a zillion companies in the 90s that did this. A good example is PeoplePC. Does this patent things have no sanity.
Hey microsoft it's the year 2000 calling.. they want their buisness plan back.
Seriously. Wasn't exactly this done already? How can they patent this?
I'm taking bets on how many minutes this'll take until it's cracked to show no ads.
Send email from the afterlife! Write your e-will at Dead Man's Switch.
And then charge Microsoft money.
...
Seriously, next thing you know, you'll be telling me that information just wants to be expensive and that spam is good for me.
But I'd trust Microsoft offering free hardware and software about as much as I'd trust someone "accidentally" phoning me and leaving me a message about this insider stock tip she just "happened" to pass on
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
Anybody else read that as Microsoft Envisions Patent Free Computing?
Seriously, if the offer is that someone can data-mine everything on my PC and send me lots of pop-ups, spam, and flash banners, then no thanks.
On a positive note, it may break some people of their Internet Addiction.
omg noes!!1 every reload brings more suffering!
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Yeah, but, think of all those porn ads that will be streeming in! I can't wait!!!!
We'll have a patent on "FREE". Is that a paradox, or an oxymoron?
What?
I like everything about this idea except for the words "Microsoft" and "patent".