Microsoft Quietly Offering Ad-Funded Version of Works

mikesd81 writes "News.com reports Microsoft has finally started offering an ad-funded version of Microsoft Works in some countries. Users who run the software see a small ad as they are writing their document or editing their spreadsheet. Although the program has the ability to update its set of ads online, today it runs mostly ads for Microsoft and a few partners, all of which ship with the product itself. Microsoft remains cagey on the details of where you can find Works SE. The company has been testing Works SE in 5 countries: The United States, France, Canada, Poland and the United Kingdom. It is available only through select computer makers and Microsoft won't say which computer makers those are. However, it seems Sony is offering it in the US."

Works?

[calebt3]

It still exists?

Microsoft Works

[Anonymous Coward]

Is that like "military intelligence" or "jumbo shrimp".

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Placement???

[cliffiecee]

I bet the ad floats RIGHT over the cursor. Gently bobbing around as you type.
(Don't worry, it'll be mostly transparent, so you can sorta see what your typing.)

Re:Works?

[arivanov]

Wrong question.

The right one is "It works?"

Disclaimer: this is not a flamebait. I just spent half a day fighting to convert a document produced with this oxymoron into something that could be read.

Re:Works?

[sconeu]

That's a well known PC oxymoron -- "Microsoft Works"

Hi! I'm clippy!

[Anonymous Coward]

You might remember me from informational presentations such as "Hi there, are you writing a letter?" and "Are you sure you want a comma there?" and I'm here to talk to you about a wonderful new kitchen product!

Re:What about already existing alternatives?

[dacut]

Anyone want to help fund an ad for OpenOffice on MS Works?

Re:It's okay, Microsoft...

[Linker3000]

Please do not post links to pirated versions of Office 2007 in full view of the community. In future, please direct them to Office 2003 as it's much simpler to use.

Re:Works?

[Plutonite]

Speaking of oxymorons and innuendo and such: did anyone notice the rackspace ads running on the top bar here on slashdot?

..its going that extra mile, reaching a little deeper

If you need a partner, it's Rackspace!

No comment.

Re:Oh the questions that arise,,,

[Dash Hash]

Does it require/use an internet connection?

Not only that, but to protect your children from those horrible, horrible online office suites, we use 95% of your bandwidth at all times!

Are the ads served up in relation to a keyword search?

Yes, but don't worry, we've made deals with companies who use bogus adwords to ensure that you never see something you would care about spending money on (unless it is our product!)

Does it embed ads in output?

Of course! This is just to help you get some income from the documents you create, so you can buy the /real/ version of Works (disclaimer: there is a 100.1% tax of all income earned by you immediately upon later viewing of our ads).

How long before it is cracked and made to serve up porno ads etc?

This unreleased product (yeah, yeah, I know) is the most secure product we have to offer! There are only 23,987 known bugs!

When are they going to start including technology from this experiment into other MS products?

Well, if the EU would just LEAVE US ALONE (HINT! HINT! GO AWAY!) WGA and OGA would be giving you a perfect demonstration right now!

The list of questions goes on of possible/probable issues with this.

No issues exist! As we said, this is our greatest offering ever!

The public needs to be better educated

NOW WAIT JUST A GOSH-DARN MINUTE! What is this "education" you are talking about?! How DARE you attempt to make our shee-, er, customers aware of ANYTHING but what we tell them!

The rest of your post deserves to be ignored! Propaganda! FUD! Slander! Libel! SUE SUE SUE! DON'T MAKE ME PICK UP THAT CHAIR YOU'RE SITTING ON!!!