Prompt's TechBlog

Microsoft doesn't quite understand free software, does it? Its biggest threat comes from open source (even if that's probably not a very big threat at the moment), but free software isn't just about price competition. It's also about how good the software is.

That's why I'm stunned at Microsoft's announcement that it will release an ad-supported version of its Works suite. Works includes a word processor and spreadsheet, both pretty basic last time I saw them although that was many versions ago now. In the US, it sells for £20. So the question is whether you would rather have adverts flickering away on screen all day while you're trying to concentrate on your work, or whether you would prefer to stump up the £20. It's a no-brainer.

If they were releasing the full Microsoft Office Suite for free, it might be different. You might reasonably think it's worth tolerating adverts all day instead of forking out the price of a short holiday for the software. That might be a particularly good deal if you can't afford to buy the software and really do need its additional features. You can probably stick a post-it note over the advert anyway.

I can't see the release of an ad-supported version of Works being anything but a failed experiment if the goal is to get people to opt for the ad-supported software. There's not enough value on offer in exchange for people tolerating the adverts. Although, given that most people receive Works pre-installed, perhaps this is just an opportunity for Microsoft to build in another revenue stream and bug customers into buying an upgrade sooner.