“Microsoft makes big push on ad-based web software”

As reported by Australian ITNews, Microsoft has finally released it’s idea of how to increase it’s revenue in the future. (Using a form of technology that Linux users have had for about the last 7 or 8 years…)

Outlining what it said was its biggest strategy shift in five years, the Redmond, Washington company told a meeting of analysts and reporters that it would deliver many of its key products and services as online services as well as selling subscriptions or licences for software installed on computers.

Windows Live and Office Live will give users some of the basic features of the software giant’s two most-profitable products, but without the complexity of installing and maintaining the software in computer hard drives.

eWeek also reported that Office Live is

…a version of Microsoft’s office suite of messaging, presence, automation and collaboration, designed to supplement Microsoft Office…”

What does this mean to you?

You will still be able to purchase licenses to use Microsoft products as you do today, but you’ll also be able to use Microsoft Windows Live and Office Live free of charge (for as long as that lasts…)

NOTE:
For those who don’t know - you are NOT buying Microsoft products today, rather, you are purchasing a license to USE said product for a couple of years, after which time your license expires and you have to buy it again.

However, you will also be able to use Microsoft Windows Live and Office Live in the near future for no charge, via your Internet connection - while getting bombarded with advertising.

Apparently Microsoft forgot how much money “free” Internet Service Providers such as Juno lost while trying the same tactic… See any of them around these days? Nation-wide? Neither do I.

Just as those companies did, Microsoft will flounder for a couple of years before they get it, and then they’ll offer Microsoft Windows Live and Office Live on a more workable pay-as-you-go type of system - without the ads.