Microsoft adds Office, Windows rental option

[Lite]

Although there are plenty of places that rent out time on Windows-based computers, doing so had never been strictly, speaking, legitimate.

The licensing terms for Windows (and Office) prohibit such use even though there are thousands of Internet cafes, business centers, and kiosks that do so. Starting January 1, though, Microsoft added an option for those that wish to rent out Windows or Office to do so by paying an extra fee.

"Windows desktop operating system and Microsoft Office system licenses do not permit renting, leasing, or outsourcing the software to a third party," Microsoft notes on its Web site. "As a result, many organizations that rent, lease, or outsource desktop PCs to third parties (such as Internet cafes, hotel and airport kiosks, business service centers, and office equipment leasing companies) are not compliant with Microsoft license requirements."

The new "rental rights" option adds a waiver of the licensing terms, allowing such use in exchange for a one-time license fee for each Windows PC or Office copy being rented out.

"Rental Rights are a simple way for organizations to get a waiver of these licensing restrictions through a one-time license transaction valid for the term of the underlying software license or life of the PC," Microsoft said.

In an effort to boost initial sales of the option, and perhaps ease the burden of having to pay for something that many organizations were doing for free, Microsoft is offering 30 percent off the license fees for those that sign up by June 30.

View: Original Article

[Night Owl]

Microsoft is just too greedy. :evil: For many years, computer hardware costs keep falling, but Microsoft's Windows and Office fees either stay the same or go up. :evil:

[lister]

Microsoft is just too greedy. :evil: For many years, computer hardware costs keep falling, but Microsoft's Windows and Office fees either stay the same or go up. :evil:

What does the cost of hardware have to do with the cost of software? You might as well compare the cost of a gallon of oil to the cost of hiring a DJ for the night. :rolleyes:

[Night Owl]

Computer hardware, where there has been competition, has seen prices constantly going down over the years. Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, where there is essentially no competition, has seen prices constant or increasing over the years.

[lister]

Computer hardware, where there has been competition, has seen prices constantly going down over the years. Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, where there is essentially no competition, has seen prices constant or increasing over the years.

Well hardware gets cheaper because of advances in the manufacturing processes. The only rival to MS is Linux and that's a free OS, so can't be included. Apple's OsX is tied to their hardware so can't be compared.

p.s. I think Windows 7 (premium) was cheaper than Vista.

[Night Owl]

Well hardware gets cheaper because of advances in the manufacturing processes.

...

p.s. I think Windows 7 (premium) was cheaper than Vista.

So Microsoft doesn't have advances in their software development processes? :D :lol:

Yes, you're right about Windows 7 Home Premium. It was the only Windows 7 edition to be lowered in price in the USA ($10 for the Upgrade retail version and $40 for the Full retail version).