That would be nice.

Thanks Trip.

Subscription? They're *really* wanting people to stay with XP, aren't they?

Either that or they secretly want everyone to switch to Linux.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Does that not make Vista like ME? In the sense, within 2/3 years of release, the "new" OS was out - ME -> XP; Vista -> Win7?

not really, XP - Vista was the only large jump since 95

95 - 98 - ME(99)-2k-XP(2k1)-Vista(2k7)
ME was nothing more than a stop gap, Vista is a massive change


Sub based is not a turn off, if the sub is right, great!

Yes... IF the price is right. It all depends on what they are going to charge.

Indeed the idea of a subscription based OS does seem a good one to me. *If* its sold correctly.

And what's in it... if it does nothing over and above XP or Vista, then why change? Especially if it needs more expensive hardware...

But do you honestly think the great mass of 'users' will accept subscriptions?

I assume that M$ would have various options, including non-sub purchase for at least the 'home' variants.

Harry.

Most users simply don't understand software subscriptions. For example, many users still think that if they buy anti-virus software, they can use it forever. Sadly, anyone who has supported home users knows that this thought process occurs far too often. That may change when subscription-based software is more prevalent... but there's going to be "growing pains" before users get used to it. I can just see the tidal wave of support calls when the first batch of Windows 20xx OSes expire.

Or MS will turn around and give 2-year subscriptions out - most home users would know the difference between a 2-year sub and a PC they bought off the shelf.

Trying to get a month sub out of the average user - that'll be a hard one to market.