[Jonty30]

I hate not buying programs. If I download a program, it supposedly still belongs to the company. This allows them to just take it back whenever.

I’d rather pay the extra to have something that belongs to me.

[Lazamataz]

I paid for Microsoft Windows 10 and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.

[NeverEVERKerry]

Another one. Been a busy week.

[Vince Ferrer]

Call it “Windows Update” then.

[Westbrook]

Red Hat Enterprise Linux has been using this marketing model for at least 10 years now.

The difference is that with Red Hat, the software and all the source files are free.

However, if you want updates and security fixes, you need an annual subscription. IIRC, there are three levels of tech support, silver, gold, and platinum, starting at $50/year for silver support for a single system. There are probably discounts for multiple users and enterprise subscriptions.

Alternatively, there is Red Hat’s CentOS, which is completely free, including sources, and tracks Red Hat Enterprise Linux, release for release. CentOS includes updates, but tech support is limited to their user forum and your favorite search engine.

I think Ubuntu Linux runs on a donation basis.

Don’t know offhand how the other Linux flavors make their money.

[Boogieman]

“Jerry Nixon, a Microsoft Developer Evangelist”

Sounds like he used the Silicon Valley Job Title Generator:

http://siliconvalleyjobtitlegenerator.tumblr.com/

(BTW, I am a “Cryptocurrency Hacker”)

[4rcane]

there be world wide outrage if they make people pay for windoows again. Bait and switch

[Svartalfiar]

Hmm.. So what happens when everything advances from 64-bit to 128-bit? Will a software patch cover that?

[Kirkwood]

Your computer will be a doorstop without a fulltime internet connection.

[catnipman]

The thing is, if Microsoft actually ever released a secure operating system, they couldn’t get away with the strategy of planned obsolescence wherein the chip and peripheral vendors they are in cahoots with quit making drivers for older Windows versions.

Without this inherent insecurity, one could buy copies of Windows and then pretty much use them forever because a few years of bug patches would fix the bugs, and since security patches wouldn’t be needed, so-called Microsoft support wouldn’t be needed either, and one could use a stable and secure Windows for decades, and vendors of new chips and peripherals would be willing to keep making new drivers.

This is the real reason Microsoft refuses to secure their operating systems, because it’s not really that difficult for them to do that, namely quit making all login ids superuser by default and forbidding the execution of software that hasn’t been installed by a superuser into a secured location, and perhaps setting and enforcing security (and crapware avoidance) standards for major software vendors.

[GeronL]

Windows as of now is sold as a standalone product. You buy it, you use it for months, and when the next version of the operating system hits the retail, you have to purchase it again and replace your existing Windows’ version.

Months? Have to? Huh?

[arthurus]

I am in the process of transitioning to Linux finally. to hell with Microsoft.

[TomGuy]

Win10 is apparently dropping Windows Media Center.

That could render previous versions of some hardware and software useless.

http://windowssecrets.com/newsletter/win10-build-10074-whats-new-whats-unknown//?u=yndpertffs5x&r=98722-15911