MS to charge for Office beta downloads

[mendhak]

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+to+cha...l?tag=nefd.top

I think they ought to stop making downloads available once it's reached their limit, rather than making 'news' like this.

[RobDog888]

Yes, but what do you expect if you download up to a Gig of data for Office 2007? The MSDN subscriber downloads are free because the costs of downloading are factored in to your subscription costs.

I dont think its a bad idea as long as the costs are minimal like this $1.50 per.
You buy songs for $0.99 and have no problems so look at what a great deal you get for only $1.50.

[Shuja Ali]

I guess charging for Beta versions is not as good idea. Beta versions are available there to be evaluated and not to be used for commercial purposes. So it is MS that gains from making these downloads available because people download it and then report bugs/defects back to MS so that they can have a better release version.

[RobDog888]

Yes, that part is true but many people continue using beta version as they are free but they should have a time expiration date at least if they are going to be free. Also, allot of people dont send any feedback back so if the return on a download to feedback ratio is very low then its not worth too much fo rMS to continue offering public beta releases and keep on with the beta testing program members as tehy are obligated to send feedback.

[Shuja Ali]

But I still think that this should not be done. As it is going to stop lot of people from evaluating beta versions.

[RobDog888]

How many people do you think actually take the time to send feedback? Do you send it all the time or make a special point to send it for beta versions?

[Shuja Ali]

How many people do you think actually take the time to send feedback? Do you send it all the time or make a special point to send it for beta versions?

To be frank, I don't download them either. And even if I want to download them I can still get it for free (MSDN Subscriber).

[RobDog888]

Yes, just like me but have you ever sent any feedback back? This is part of the problem that MS is facing in addition to the costs involved in providing large programs for download. Maybe they should just make them by mail order only like they do with other programs. They only charge the shipping costs and nothing for the program.

[mendhak]

I know the reasons, but it's not about the reasons. It's about catering to the mass stupidity that is prevalent in the computer community. This kind of move only attracts negative publicity. The reasons don't even matter.

[Al42]

It's about catering to the mass stupidity that is prevalent in the computer community. This kind of move only attracts negative publicity.

The mass of "users" is too stupid to realize the negativity of the move, so one cancels out the other. Who is it who said that you'll never go broke betting on the stupidity of the masses?

[gigemboy]

A buck fifty for a beta? <sarcastic>How dare them! I will revolt!</sarcastic>... <serious>downloading Paris Hilton's new single as we speak...</serious> Take that MS!

P.S. I received my MSDN shipment... mua ha ha haaaaaaaaaa

[dom_stapleton]

Yes, just like me but have you ever sent any feedback back? This is part of the problem that MS is facing in addition to the costs involved in providing large programs for download. Maybe they should just make them by mail order only like they do with other programs. They only charge the shipping costs and nothing for the program.

Surely they get a reasonable amount of feedback from beta users with the Customer Experience Improvement Program...

[RobDog888]

I dont think they do as its not a large experience group.

But I think its not about the feedback to download ratio as its more of a cost for bandwidth issue.

[RhinoBull]

I guess charging for Beta versions is not as good idea. Beta versions are available there to be evaluated and not to be used for commercial purposes. So it is MS that gains from making these downloads available because people download it and then report bugs/defects back to MS so that they can have a better release version.

I think it is: MS Office is a huge application that cost tons of money to develop. Even beta is more or less complete product.
Problems? Sure... but it's still a serious product and you CAN use it for your enterprise (for as long as the expiration goes I guess) - at your own risk though as MS won't support it.

[gigemboy]

If you can't handle the buck fifty, then get an alternative suite for free...

http://www.openoffice.org/

[RobDog888]

If you can't handle the buck fifty, then get an alternative suite for free...

http://www.openoffice.org/

Oh please! Spend the $1.50 and get a real Office solution and not some flakey hodgepodge of a wannabe program.