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MS Planning Free Web-Based Business Software

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the word-gets-online-calls-some-folks-newbs dept.

nieske writes "In response to Google Apps for Your Domain, Microsoft is also planning to release free web-based business software. The software will be ad-supported, but a paid, ad-free version will also be available. From the article: 'Revenue from software licenses for Office and the Windows operating system accounts for a bulk of Microsoft revenues. The challenge for Microsoft will be to make sure a free or, possibly, a subscription-supported version of Works won't hurt sales of its dominant Office software, which accounted for a quarter of the company's $44 billion in sales last year.' Would you choose an ad-supported online version of Microsoft Office over other free options like OpenOffice or Google Apps for Your Domain?"

6 of 132 comments (clear)

  1. Silly Question by eikonoklastes · · Score: 4, Funny

    Would you choose an ad-supported online version of Microsoft Office over other free options like OpenOffice or Google Apps for Your Domain?

    Of course we wouldn't. But then again, this is slashdot you're trying to troll.

  2. Your secrets are double super safe... by Duncan3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    [Bill G] Muhahahahahahahahahhaha...

    [Steve B] Oh look, this guy is working on a patent for a new chair.

    [Bill G] Muhahahahahahahahahhaha...

    [Steve B] Yes Bill, now we'll have all their secrets, stop that.

    [Bill G] Muhahahahahahahahahhaha...

    --
    - Adam L. Beberg - The Cosm Project - http://www.mithral.com/
  3. Re:Oh wonderful.... by z0idberg · · Score: 4, Funny

    you left out

    e) Everything you create with it will be DRMed to within an inch of its life. (You will be able to use your document again, but only if you call Microsoft first and ask if its OK).

  4. Ad supported? I can see it now... by jpellino · · Score: 2, Funny

    30 second Flash commercials in any cell with a formula...

    At least it will answer the longstanding question:

    K23: =Revenue
    K24: VISIT CLASSMATES.COM !
    K25: =Profit!

    --
    "Win treats sysadmins better than users. Mac treats users better than sysadmins. Linux treats everyone like sysadmins."
  5. Quick by nizo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Someone patent "animated paperclip in a popup web window" and make yourself a bundle of money.

    --
    I Am My Own Worst Enemy
  6. Re:and long term... by ConceptJunkie · · Score: 4, Funny

    Your term "bran power" does a pretty good job of explaining MS's output. They have a lot of "bran power" which is why they can squeeze out so much Office regularly.

    --
    You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.