Free (Gratis) Version of Windows Could Be a Reality Soon 392
An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft is exploring whether to release a free version of Windows to increase the number of computers using the latest operating system. Currently the company seems to be testing a new version of the OS called 'Windows 8.1 with Bing', which will include Microsoft's key modern apps and services."
It's an old method ... (Score:4, Funny)
The first hit is free.
Re:Free as in... (Score:5, Funny)
beer?
No, free as in bend over.
Re:Kinda funny (Score:5, Funny)
I use Bing for most of my searches -- I work for Microsoft.
But I use Google for porn. Just in case they're tracking me.
Bing it on! (Score:5, Funny)
Man it's like a dream come true. Windows 8 interface AND Bing! Maybe they can bundle it onto free software downloads, like they do with the Conduit/Bingbar browser hijack. Then we won't even have to download it ourselves. Man that's top notch service!
Re:Kinda funny (Score:4, Funny)
I didn't believe all the hype about Bing. "Nothing can beat Google," I thought. But one day, I decided to give Bing a try. The result? Bing alerted me that my cancer could be cured with three simple steps, and sure enough, my cancer vanished by following those exact steps! Wow! Thanks, Bing! You saved my life! I'm not a rabid, frothing Binger and use Bing for all my searching needs!
Don't believe me? Bing it on, you worthless piece of human garbage! Wow! You Bingless hippies must live in caves! Get out of my sight; you're utterly worthless! [bingiton.com]
I heartily concur with your assessment. (Score:5, Funny)
Javascript "Apps" are the reason I just had to replace my perfectly serviceable 10 year old Athlon XP machine before it physically broke down from exhaustion. Every machine I have had before I have had the pleasure of using until it caught fire from overuse. The smell of burning capacitors is still fresh in my nostrils after all these years. Fuck Apps. Fuck them in the anus with a cactus. And for that matter, fuck my spell checker for insisting that it should be written as "JavaScript".
Re:How about selling something consumers want? (Score:5, Funny)
It was successful as windows 7. Not "as successful as..." Literally. People bought to 8's pro license and used it to install 7.
The word play is hilarious because it's true.
Re:Kinda funny (Score:5, Funny)
Give me a bing, Vasili. One bing only, please.
Drug dealer business model (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Kinda funny (Score:5, Funny)
I remember when Bill Gates said that if software were being pirated, he would prefer that it was HIS software being pirated. He wanted to hook them now, so that he could charge them later.
I guess there aren't enough pirates being hooked, so now they have to give it away gratis.
I suspect that they will have trouble even giving Windows 8.x away.
Re:Kinda funny (Score:5, Funny)
Neo: What truth?
Spoon boy: There is no spoon.
Neo: There is no spoon?
Spoon boy: Then you'll see, that it is not the spoon that bings, it is only yourself.
Re:Why bother? (Score:3, Funny)
You guys and all your posturing had better be careful. Win 8.1 isn't anywhere near as bad as you make out. You'll blow your credo with regular folks who, you know, actually try it and find 8.1 to be ok.
It's cool to carry on here at Slashdot I suppose.
Desperate times require desperate measures. (Score:2, Funny)
The fiasco of Metro UI is forcing Microsoft to take extreme measures. Windows 8 failed it's main goal to convert Microsoft near monopoly in PC market into mobile dominance.In the process it actually enraged the current customer base which caught Microsoft by surprise, but that is another story. They are trying to repeat the trick that killed Netscape. Free IE bundled with Windows made Netscape irrelevant. I don't believe this will work the same today.Times are different.