Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft's New Windows Monetization Methods Could Mean 'Subscriptions'

Posted by timothy on from the get-this-free-duffel-bag dept.

SmartAboutThings writes Since the first version of Windows, Microsoft has offered the operating system on a initial fee purchase. But under new management, it seems that this strategy could shift into new monetization methods, a subscription-based model being the most probable one. At the recent Credit Suisse Technology Conference from last week, Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner was speaking (transcript in Microsoft Word format) to investors about the fact that Microsoft is interested in exploring new monetization methods for its Windows line of products. The company might adopt a new pricing model for the upcoming operating system, as it looks to shift away from the one-time initial purchase to an ongoing-revenue basis.

4 of 415 comments (clear)

  1. Maybe they should focus on... by BladeMelbourne · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Maybe they should focus on reducing logging and fragmentation. I won't pay for such poorly written software again:

    http://i.imgur.com/Ulem4sP.png

  2. Wow... by Lab+Rat+Jason · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's as if they are trying to boost linux downloads.

    --
    Which has more power: the hammer, or the anvil?
  3. They abandoned this already by KingMotley · · Score: 3, Interesting

    And a legal license to use them only for development or testing, and not to be used as your main computer OS. Guess you forgot that part.

  4. This is actually GREAT news! by johnnys · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Finally some Clue (TM) out of the Redmond mothership!

    In a subscription model, M$ does NOT have to tempt the users with "new features" to get you to buy their software, so there's no impetus to "change everything for the sake of change" and the abominations that are Me, Vista, "ribbons" and 8 should not happen anymore.

    The initial cost of Windows drops to zero: Why would the mothership bother charging for it up front? The first hit is always free!

    Since M$ is getting paid for every Windows system running, they can actually FIX the security problems in Windows instead of insisting that we all have to upgrade so they can make money. They will be able AND motivated to keep supporting older versions for much longer. Less retraining and hassle for the end users, and more stable and reliable systems for users and businesses to depend on.

    Businesses have been doing it this way for years now, and they like it.

    --
    Sometimes the "writing on the wall" is blood spatter...