Re: Make older versions free

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i just think that the people who would download and use the free,
ad-supported, older version, would not be the people who are going to buy the
new version anyway, so Microsoft would at least get the ad money off of these
people using it.




"Patrick Schmid [MVP]" wrote:

yes, i was thinking of making it available for download only, or
partner with
some advertisers to include flyer advertisements in the mail along with a
disk maybe to cover the cost of the disk and shipping. i think many people
who pay for high speed internet such as myself would not pay the money for
it, but would use a free ad supported version of it. They need to do
The point is that you have the money, but aren't willing to pay for it.
It's not that you don't have the money.

something like this cause losing many to open office...which isn't even ad
supported!
Many? You have a skewed world view. MS Office has more than 90% of the
market and OpenOffice is barely making a dent into MS sales.

Patrick Schmid [OneNote MVP]
--------------
http://pschmid.net
***
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cyberTaz" wrote:

One consideration - among numerous others:

How do you propose the distribution of these charitable donations be
handled?

Is MS supposed to ship free to anyone who asks? Perhaps UPS or FedEx would
be willing to chip in - better yet, the USPS could be mandated to handle it
gratis, after all it would only increase postal rates a modest 25-30%. Or
would the product be stuffed into cereal boxes as a promotional item? And
who bears the cost of this distribution? Perhaps you'd be willing to donate
a few hours a week to making home deliveries?

Even if you're now thinking "download" - which isn't practicable for a
number of reasons, but even if it were - consider the likelihood that most
anyone not able to pay the price for their software probably doesn't have a
high speed connection in the first place. That basically leaves you with
those who *can* afford it but aren't *willing* to pay for it. Ergo, any
costs incurred by such a program have to be recouped from the sale of
current product, which in itself would be curtailed by the freebie system,
resulting in even higher prices for the rest of us.

I'm not sure what your location is - despite your addy - but here in the
good ol' US of A I'm just one of many who are getting tired of footing the
bill for freeloaders.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac



On 11/19/06 11:47 AM, in article
394C0977-DC3E-473C-BBB3-E992A8EEB106@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, "thebigdintexas"
<thebigdintexas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Good point.....would have to add "does not qualify for a discounted upgrade"
to my suggestion along with ad-supported. Thanks.




"Opinicus" wrote:

"thebigdintexas" <thebigdintexas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote

I have a suggestion regarding Microsoft Word. How about offering the older
version for free when the latest version, such as in Office 2007, is
released. Microsoft could switch the older version to ad supported or
something, then offer it for free. Comments?

Would they qualify for upgrades? If so, I doubt MS would go along with the
idea.

--
Bob
http://www.kanyak.com







.

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