why can't we...?

Oka

So I've noticed that Microsoft has FINALLY gotten on the ball and allowed you to download certain office applications from their website as trials and then later convert them into full-blown versions

I've always liked this concept, as it seems the way to go for future software delivery options.  However, I'm not sure I like the fact that Microsoft is still excpecting a full retail price for this option.

If I am not buying a product that has been wrapped in pretty packaging and burned in some cd-replication warehouse, then why must I shoulder a full retail cost ?  Should there not be some sort of monetary incentive to purchase software this way?  Symantec allows you to download their software at a discount if you don't purchase it in the store; as does a few other companies.  Some of them offering the product at HALF retail for doing this.

Those of us who have paid for high-speed internet connections should see other perks such as this. 

Also, why not make ALL products available this way? Including future versions of Windows and the full versions of Office?

While I'd like to go one step further and ask for the ability to download full retail MS products WITHOUT technical support (even futher driving down cost..) I'm sure this is a pipe dream

Anyone care to share their thoughts on this

Thank

Julien 

Try this link:
 http://www.**--****.com/ 

ball and allowed you to download certain office 
applications from their website as trials and then later 
convert them into full-blown versions.
go for future software delivery options.  However, I'm 
not sure I like the fact that Microsoft is still 
excpecting a full retail price for this option. 
pretty packaging and burned in some cd-replication 
warehouse, then why must I shoulder a full retail cost ?  
Should there not be some sort of monetary incentive to 
purchase software this way?  Symantec allows you to 
download their software at a discount if you don't 
purchase it in the store; as does a few other companies.  
Some of them offering the product at HALF retail for 
doing this. 
connections should see other perks such as this.  
Including future versions of Windows and the full 
versions of Office? 
ability to download full retail MS products WITHOUT 
technical support (even futher driving down cost..) I'm 
sure this is a pipe dream.

Hi Julien,

As I'm seeing it, Microsoft is making progress in this area, and work is
done to have more programs for Trial version that can then be turned
to Retail upon purchase.

I agree that some price changes should occur for people downloading the
software but that wouldn't be that much of a discount - i can not see MS
dropping the price in half just for the downloaded version...Symantec
products are 50-100$ for home consumers...we haven't reached this yet
with OS products.

Currently MS is only allowing Full MSDN versions for downloading to
whomever has a MSDN account. This version is not a Retail one - you
can not use it to operate your business - rather Test/Private usages.

Being realistic, I don't think MS will provide full retail download option
but rather continue the Trial-convert-Retail method

My 0.5$ thoughts

Take care,

Arie H
MS MVP
--------------------------------
remove nospam for email







you to download certain office applications from their website as trials and
then later convert them into full-blown versions.
software delivery options.  However, I'm not sure I like the fact that
Microsoft is still excpecting a full retail price for this option.
burned in some cd-replication warehouse, then why must I shoulder a full
retail cost ?  Should there not be some sort of monetary incentive to
purchase software this way?  Symantec allows you to download their software
at a discount if you don't purchase it in the store; as does a few other
companies.  Some of them offering the product at HALF retail for doing this.
other perks such as this.
versions of Windows and the full versions of Office?
full retail MS products WITHOUT technical support (even futher driving down
cost..) I'm sure this is a pipe dream.

Julien - Symantic is worried about competition.  They are being Competative
           Microsoft is NOT worried about competition.  They are being Greedy.

"Frustrated" < XXXX@XXXXX.COM > wrote

Competative.
Greedy. <<<

If they aren't worried about it, how come they sued Lindows?

Alias

Of course they are concerned and will handle "threats" to their markets. 
  That's what companies do and there is nothing wrong with that.  The 
action they take is what they think, based on a *lot* of thinking, will 
maximise their profits ... which again, is their purpose and their job.

Hope this is useful to you.  Let us know.

rms