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Microsoft To Try Works As Adware
Several readers noted that Microsoft has announced plans to pre-install an ad-laden version of Works on some manufacturers' PCs in coming months. Works is Microsoft's lightweight docs-and-spreadsheets software. The manufacturers involved were not disclosed. The adware Works will come with a pre-installed cache of ads that will be refreshed when the machine is online. Microsoft will decide by mid-2008 whether it can afford to forgo the $40 normally charged for Works.
Exactly. Now instead of just bundling office software that no one wants and no one uses with new PCs, they're going to bundle sotware that no one wants, no one uses, and that advertises at you.
Of course, this being MS, they're going to try and sell this as an added value proposition: "seventy five percent of all the sock puppets that responded to our market research all said that they felt the lack of advertising was a serious lack in Microsoft Works"
Don't let THEM immanentize the Eschaton!
This is no different than Google Documents & Spreadsheets. It's just ad-supported office applications. However, the fact that it's locally installed is nice, because it allows for more advanced functionality than AJAX. I think Microsoft has a winner with this one. Not just because of the ad revenue, but because of the user lock-in. Users of works would be more likely to upgrade to MS office. smart move.
Excellent. Now how do we purchase adspace for Open Office and KOffice in this wonderful program?
I've heard tell legends of small cults of people who actually use Works but during my decades of travels as an IT wizard, I've only encountered one who actually *used* it. Typically people only use it until they figure out it is mostly incompatible with the rest of the freaking world... even within Microsoft's world.
I am usually an opponent for the use of OpenOffice stating it is a sub-par replacement for office... But as a replacement for MS Works. I would say use OpenOffice even without the Adds over Works. The only advantage I found with Works in College was a lot of Girls who wrote their paper in works needed it converted to a Doc or even .TXT format went to us geeks.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Isn't he the number three Al Queda guy these days?
If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
"a lot of Girls who wrote their paper in works needed it converted to a Doc or even .TXT format went to us geeks."
Yeah, I've got a life size picture of that:
Girl: "Can you convert my files for me? I have to go fool around with my boyfriend."
Geek: "Sure!"
If moderation could change anything, it would be illegal.
but only so long as they use Clippy to present the ads. It would be like life in hell in a great cuddly way.
Quack, quack.
Microsoft Works
Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
...and I then delete it because it's a WORTHLESS piece of shit.
works or windows?
Hey! That's my sig you're smoking there!
Microsoft still makes Works? And they charge money for it? Is it still one of the best document-encryption tools around?
I haven't even seen a Microsoft Works installation since the days when I'd carry around a floppy with Norton Utilities on it - and use it often.
Reality has a conservative bias: it conserves mass, energy, momentum...
#974: Airline Food
#632: Civil War
#232: Microsoft Works
Living With a Nerd
Sleeping with her boyfriend behind her back is better still tho. ;)
What if Tetris was invented by Nazis?
IMHO Works is garbage. Here's a list of progams I'd use as a text editor before I'd consider using Works again.
Wordpad
Notepad
Paintbrush
Pencil and paper.
A sandy beach, a stick and a camera!
Seriously, Works is a puchline!
By bundeling ad-ware with Works, it gives Ad-Ware a bad name ...
Well, if a girl won't cheat on a guy with me, he must be hotter than me, and I gotta say, that's pretty damn hot.
What if Tetris was invented by Nazis?