why can't we...?

Okay

So I've noticed that Microsoft has FINALLY gotten on the ball and allowed you to download certain office applications from their website as trials and then later convert them into full-blown versions.

I've always liked this concept, as it seems the way to go for future software delivery options. However, I'm not sure I like the fact that Microsoft is still excpecting a full retail price for this option.

If I am not buying a product that has been wrapped in pretty packaging and burned in some cd-replication warehouse, then why must I shoulder a full retail cost ? Should there not be some sort of monetary incentive to purchase software this way? Symantec allows you to download their software at a discount if you don't purchase it in the store; as does a few other companies. Some of them offering the product at HALF retail for doing this.

Those of us who have paid for high-speed internet connections should see other perks such as this.

Also, why not make ALL products available this way? Including future versions of Windows and the full versions of Office?

While I'd like to go one step further and ask for the ability to download full retail MS products WITHOUT technical support (even futher driving down cost..) I'm sure this is a pipe dream.

Anyone care to share their thoughts on this?

Thanks

Julien

Try this link:
http://www.openoffice.org/

-----Original Message-----
Okay

So I've noticed that Microsoft has FINALLY gotten on the
ball and allowed you to download certain office
applications from their website as trials and then later
convert them into full-blown versions.

I've always liked this concept, as it seems the way to
go for future software delivery options. However, I'm
not sure I like the fact that Microsoft is still
excpecting a full retail price for this option.

If I am not buying a product that has been wrapped in
pretty packaging and burned in some cd-replication
warehouse, then why must I shoulder a full retail cost ?
Should there not be some sort of monetary incentive to
purchase software this way? Symantec allows you to
download their software at a discount if you don't
purchase it in the store; as does a few other companies.
Some of them offering the product at HALF retail for
doing this.

Those of us who have paid for high-speed internet
connections should see other perks such as this.

Also, why not make ALL products available this way?
Including future versions of Windows and the full
versions of Office?

While I'd like to go one step further and ask for the
ability to download full retail MS products WITHOUT
technical support (even futher driving down cost..) I'm
sure this is a pipe dream.

Anyone care to share their thoughts on this?

Thanks

Julien
.

Hi Julien,

As I'm seeing it, Microsoft is making progress in this area, and work is
done to have more programs for Trial version that can then be turned
to Retail upon purchase.

I agree that some price changes should occur for people downloading the
software but that wouldn't be that much of a discount - i can not see MS
dropping the price in half just for the downloaded version...Symantec
products are 50-100$ for home consumers...we haven't reached this yet
with OS products.

Currently MS is only allowing Full MSDN versions for downloading to
whomever has a MSDN account. This version is not a Retail one - you
can not use it to operate your business - rather Test/Private usages.

Being realistic, I don't think MS will provide full retail download option
but rather continue the Trial-convert-Retail method

My 0.5$ thoughts

Take care,

Arie H
MS MVP
--------------------------------
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"Julien" wrote in message
...
Okay

So I've noticed that Microsoft has FINALLY gotten on the ball and allowed
you to download certain office applications from their website as trials and
then later convert them into full-blown versions.

I've always liked this concept, as it seems the way to go for future
software delivery options. However, I'm not sure I like the fact that
Microsoft is still excpecting a full retail price for this option.

If I am not buying a product that has been wrapped in pretty packaging and
burned in some cd-replication warehouse, then why must I shoulder a full
retail cost ? Should there not be some sort of monetary incentive to
purchase software this way? Symantec allows you to download their software
at a discount if you don't purchase it in the store; as does a few other
companies. Some of them offering the product at HALF retail for doing this.

Those of us who have paid for high-speed internet connections should see
other perks such as this.

Also, why not make ALL products available this way? Including future
versions of Windows and the full versions of Office?

While I'd like to go one step further and ask for the ability to download
full retail MS products WITHOUT technical support (even futher driving down
cost..) I'm sure this is a pipe dream.

Anyone care to share their thoughts on this?

Thanks

Julien

Julien - Symantic is worried about competition. They are being Competative.
Microsoft is NOT worried about competition. They are being Greedy.

"Frustrated" wrote

Julien - Symantic is worried about competition. They are being
Competative.
Microsoft is NOT worried about competition. They are being
Greedy.

If they aren't worried about it, how come they sued Lindows?

Alias

I have a Compaq IJ600 printer and can't seem to print
more than one copy of a 8 page document. When I set
printing for 10 copies the printer only prints one copy
of the 8 page document. How do I correct that so that I
may print 10 or more copies of an 8 page or more document.

Thanks, Arthur

Of course they are concerned and will handle "threats" to their markets.
That's what companies do and there is nothing wrong with that. The
action they take is what they think, based on a *lot* of thinking, will
maximise their profits ... which again, is their purpose and their job.

Hope this is useful to you. Let us know.

rms



Alias wrote:
"Frustrated" wrote


Julien - Symantic is worried about competition. They are being

Competative.

Microsoft is NOT worried about competition. They are being

Greedy.

If they aren't worried about it, how come they sued Lindows?

Alias

That's most likely a problem with the printer driver interpreting the
command. Try using the "copies" in the Properties for the printer to
select additional copies.

Arthur wrote:

I have a Compaq IJ600 printer and can't seem to print
more than one copy of a 8 page document. When I set
printing for 10 copies the printer only prints one copy
of the 8 page document. How do I correct that so that I
may print 10 or more copies of an 8 page or more document.

Thanks, Arthur