Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Charles Tutt who wrote (72071)	8/8/2002 12:16:30 PM
From: Rusty Johnson	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

New MS Policy: Will Users Defect? Microsoft's new program for selling its software to businesses may mean bigger profits for the world's largest software company. But according to a research firm, the new Microsoft policy has infuriated many customers, and some could respond by switching to Apple's Macintosh or the free Linux operating system. Traditionally, Microsoft (MSFT) has charged business users a discounted price for upgrades to the Windows operating system, the Office productivity software suite and other Microsoft products. Companies have routinely upgraded their software every two or three years, ensuring a steady flow of revenue to Microsoft. As more companies have chosen to keep their old software for three years or more, Microsoft's solution was its new Software Assurance policy. Under Software Assurance, customers will pay upfront for the software, and also pay an annual fee that entitles the customer to an upgraded version of the product in two or three years. "The fact that folks are even willing to entertain the thought (of switching) is something I haven't seen before," said Laura DiDio, analyst. "I have been covering Microsoft for 14 or 15 years, and I've never seen this level of anger, of outrage, of dissatisfaction." wired.com