The Ad-Supported Operating System

An anonymous reader writes "The appearance of an ad-supported operating system is probably not that far off. This article takes a look at some of the finer points behind an OS which is financed with ad views, and more specifically the logic behind a free version of Windows which could make this a reality. There are a few issues which must be resolved first, but with Microsoft refining Windows Live and shifting some of their focus to advertising, many of the pieces seem to be falling into place."

Re:I can't wait

[iamacat]

I think that many people would happily pay for an operating system just to avoid the ads.

Isn't that a good idea, given that they can try it for as much as they want first and make sure it's worth the money. I am more worried that the pay option will not be there.

Re:s/windows/google/g

[Threni]

> gmail anyone?

Accessed via POP3 using the free Thunderbird? Don't mind if I do...

Re:Ad-OS is already here

[zakezuke]

Micro$hit Winblows X-Pee is full of ads for M$'s services. There's ads for Passport, Windows Media download stores, MSN Search, MSN Explorer, Microsoft Plus, and other bloated bullshit. Don't forget the ultimate coercive ad, Windows Genuine Advantage. Loads of false claims of pirated software means more bucks for

Not to speak of the last "dell" I got (sorry folks, dual core $700 (not anymore), couldn't resist [dell.com]). I don't remember half the crap I deleted but trial word perfect, trial mcaffes, plus a shit load of isp adverts, this is ontop of the normal winxp adverts if you click the wrong thing. Fortunatly the crap was easy enough to delete, well except for McAfee's spyware.

Re:Choice is good

[nihaopaul]

i'd only support advertising driven os if it was
A) run by the OSS comunity and not nosy fuckers
B) go directly to the OSS community
C) i'd have the choice to not watch them.
D) does not contain flash or malicious content or impact the preformance of the system
E) does not collect personal information

thats all i ask

Re:Never in a million years

[Zelbinian]

And how! I mean, anyone who actually thinks this is a good idea, please, for the love of all that's holy, go rent the Corporation. Then come back and read this article. And then die a little inside like the rest of us.

Re:Isn't this what Google is becoming?

[Jugalator]

Sorry, bad link... For your clicking convenience: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ [google.com]

Re:Never in a million years

[Rick17JJ]

I assume that an ad-supported version of Windows would most likely involve some type of tracking and loss of privacy. Perhaps some type of spyware would monitor your browsing and searching habits so that advertisers could send you targeted advertising. Is that how it would work?

I already use a free OS, I use Linux. I do not need an ad-supported version of Windows. I like the fact that most common spyware won't run on Linux. Viruses and worms won't either for that matter. I value my privacy and don't want more spyware or ads.

Despite being free and having no ad-revenues, Linux has done surprisingly well at getting better every year. If fact many of the new "innovative" features Microsoft has been bragging about for Vista are already available for Linux. Linux even has some of the features that were cut from Vista so that it would be released on time. Vista will have "Instant Search" while Linux already has the Beagle desktop search program. Vista will have its new "Aero" graphical interface while some versions of Linux already have XGL graphics. Instead of everyone in Windows usually being an administrator, Vista will have more of a Unix/Linux style security. Linux has always done it that way. Vista will have desktop widgets, Linux already has SuperKarama. I could go on.

I admit there actually are various pros and cons in the Windows vs. Linux argument, but my point is that, there already is a good free operating system that is doing just fine without having to resort to ad-supported revenues. No, never in a million years for me.

Re:Never in a million years

[Fulkkari]

Microsoft has an academic developer program [microsoft.com], where they give all kind of software for free. I downloaded Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition and some other software as well. You get an ISO image and your own serial code for the software by downloading from this website with an unique login. Other software that I remember being available was the Visual Studio and SQL server. I don't remember the specifics, as I rather use my Mac. Microsoft Office could not be downloaded.

I believe this is just a way for them to try to keep new developers using Windows, rather than switching to Linux or OS X. Some membership fee is paid by the school, but I don't see any of it.

Re:Never in a million years

[Anonymous Coward]

That sounds vaguely similar to the Windows XP that was available while I was at university - it cost about $5 to get a legal copy of it as long as you were an IT student. They also had Visual Studio and a few other things ultra cheap too.

Re:Never in a million years

[plumby]

Several apps I use are available on Windows but not Linux. Therefore, Windows (sadly) has value to me.Have you tried WINE? Every Windows program I've tried so far works fine on that.

FreePC did it.

[Rob T Firefly]

Does nobody remember FreePC? In the late 90s, they would give you a free Windows-based PC bordered with ads, which constantly phoned home with your demographic info and surfing habits. IIRC you'd get a 1024x768 desktop, but the usable area was the 800x600 in the middle, and the rest was ad banners. It was basically consensual spyware in the vein of those purchase-tracking store club cards.

I always wanted to get one to just run as a monitorless file server, but they stopped answering my emails after I asked what was being done to stop me just reformatting the thing. Oddly enough, they disappeared when the bubble burst. Can't imagine why...