stupid idea.

buy stuff once, use as much as i want = good idea.

Just another way to take more money from us for software that doesnt work right

I've never heard anything so stupid in my entire life.

WoW! How Dumb is this. I think it would work in Cyber Cafes and Libaray's, but in a Home or Office what are you thinking. Microsoft is really starting to seem like MicroCrap. Windows XP Great OS both 32 and 64bits, Windows Vista 32bit SUCKS, Windows Vista 64Bit Better than the 32bit but still sucks, Windows 7 just another Vista revamped to look good. Now pay as you go scheam, Like Duke Nukem would say "Blow it out yer Ass"

This if implemented across the board would eliminate the hobby custom build PC world overnight. No one building their own system from scratch would pay as they go to use it. Absolutely rediculous. If the business model isn't working, then that is on them, not the consumer. A WOW FFS type OS...nice one you dolts.

This is completely NUTZ!

Microsoft needs to be stopped, now! They have gone and created an expensive monster of computing as it stands already, and now they aren't satisfied with their $$ billions of profit? Poor Poor Microsoft! AWWW!!!
NOT!

This will totally ruin the Custom PC concept, and kill a lot of ingenuity by edging out all the little shops that contribute so much. Where would the likes of Voodoo PC's, Alienware, Falcon NW, etc.. be if they had to put up with this back in there day?
I'll tell you where, they'd have never left the garage of American ingenuity & entrepreneurship, that's where they'd be.

Stop MS now, this is nutz!

Utterly mindless. How do they expect to scale a single machine from office apps on up to gaming? Are they going to provide smooth 60FPS+ high-res video over a broadband link? Yeah right.
Most EULAs don't allow the kind of renting or sharing this kind of arrangement implies anyway.
Come on, developers! Port all those great games to Linux! No more Microsquishy!

It makes no sense, you get a computer capable of gaming, but use it for browsing,and get charged less per month. Really now? I can browse, play games etc, and I don't pay any more than the first time. Maybe for a kiosk type thing at a cafe, but in the end Microsoft wants more money.

Sounds to me like Xbox live: "You pay your ISP 40$ a month, then give us another $7 just to use it on your Xbox." No I'd rather use it on my PC *no extra charge*. Of course except for MMO's but that makes sense.

This is an obvious attempt to take advantage of stupid people. The PAYG would likely cost the user MORE than the upfront cost of buying the hardware and software. They will just bury the cost in easy monthly payments???? Bah!

Great, I'll put my new P.A.Y.G. computer that I PAID FOR right next to the Coin-OP Maytag washer in the kitchen (I empty the coins out each month and send them straight back to Maytag).

Interesting... It might seam ridiculous at first, but back in the old days, that is in the same road of what IBM did. You (well businesses) pay per month to access certain time of day their storage server or use software. What is interesting, is that Microsoft among many other companies, where the companies that destroyed IBM and alike services, by offering the software/device as we know it now.

Again this is just patents people. Knowing the great amount of ideas Microsoft registered, it is unlikely to occur.

Beside this is not an idea that will work at all, I mean their is alternatives, different OS. If realized and being forced, than a market switch will occur, they are alternative to Microsoft.

My guess, is if it does realize, it will be like many people that rent their water heater, or that thing form Lenovo some time ago 1$ per day (rent a computer (well we all saw how successful that was [/sarcasm])). Nothing more.

Although this model may be meant for the home user, I believe it is not intended for use on a system as we have them today. I would imagine that at some level, they envision a multi-use terminal in your home, with access to servers located some where else. You would pay to access programs and features on the SERVER level that would be streamed to your terminal at home. It would reduce the initial investment for most users, allAlthough this model may be meant for the home user, I believe it is not intended for use on a system as we have them today. I would imagine that at some level, they envision a multi-use terminal in your home, with access to servers located some where else. You would pay to access programs and features on the SERVER level that would be streamed to your terminal at home. Just as brendan0257 said, it sounds like content delivery similar to what xbox live allows. It would reduce the initial investment for most users, allowing a more complete package for people with basic or average computer skills and or usage, and even if we don't like the idea it may unify the average pc market to allow for broader application support and integration. As for now it is just a patent filing, and if you note, the filing states “The current business model for computer HARDWARE and software...". I would imagine in other countries, where computers are a true luxury, this would provide better access to people who would normally not have any. And the wide spectrum of their explination is simply used to illustrate a point. Don't get me wrong, I like mt custom PC as much as the rest of you, but I'd bet if you dug around in the patent coffers you'd find millions of shady patents held by even your favorite companies that make it sound like the world is gonna stop turning. It's just the way it is.a more complete package for people with basic or average computer skills and or usage. Just a thought

Please forgive the horrible post I just made. I can't see or preview the post sfor some unknown reason.

It'd be great if this were truly applied to everyone, most specifically large companies who have hundreds of terminals operating 24/7 and as it stands get abusively high value for what they pay.

I think we all know that over time they'll get some special deal and average joes will still be paying too much for comparatively minimal usage. Only more so.

This is not only nuts but it will harm competition. They are talking about building "metering" systems into the hardware they will provide very cheaply thereby further controlling any one's computing experience. It is being promulgated as another "cash cow" for Microsoft and will, according to all the analysis I have seen and Microsoft's own statements on the matter end up costing the user "MORE" than owning everything themselves.

They want the revenue stream, I say pound sand you bloodsuckers.

This sounds like their model for cloud computing applied to a thin net type of application. It could never be used for most in home users, but for cafes and hotels and the like, this would be very useful.

On the plus side, pushing this out would force more people onto Linux and increase the community's coverage.

i think you are all misunderstanding this. what will happen is that all computers will be networked together into a giant supercomputer. when you are not using your computer much then scientists or whoever can run folding@home or other things on it more. i guess you can imagine it like this; it's like you will get paid for letting folding@home and other similar programs run on your computer for other people. i think it will overall lower our computer expenses. it will be like renting out your computer when you are not using it except without actually physically moving your computer and it will all be handled automatically so no hassle to us; it will just automatically scale the amount rented out depending on how much resources you are using at the particular time.

i don't get why microsoft gets to patent this though. i thought supercomputers already generated revenue this way. all that is different is that a supercomputer is replaced with Personal Computers because PCs can be networked together into a virtual supercomputer and seti@home and folding@home have demonstrated that.

Triddle that sometimes happens to me, too.

That's how Ross Parow made his billions back in the 70's
So how can you patented it.
It's been around for 30+ years

I can't believe it. They've actually found a way to increase profit by increasing software bloat. Unfortunately I think prior art exists from the mainframe era.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/ms-pay,2793.html

Right here on Tom's. This article is from what, 2006? So the patent filing is for this kind of madel, even if it is used elsewhere.

Just think of all the money they could rake in on PORN!

It's pretty obvious their motive, if you just look through the actual patent you can see that they explicity make reference to increasing profits for software developers numerous times.

I like the way the system works. You buy hardware, it works. You load an OS on it, it runs software which you (presumably) bought and have a right to use as much as you want. Why should we pay more for the applications we use most frequently, while other companies get very little money from software we barely use but we have a very important use for infrequently (backup software for example). If the user thinks its important enough to have, they buy it. And if you want to use it a lot, that costs extra? Sounds like a good way to bolster Linux and OpenOffice support, or to increase Apple sales.

I am already fed up with the new DRM methods so I won't buy any new games that use it.
If Microsoft implements Pay As You Go for any upcoming operating system that's it for me.
I'll either retro game on older computers or use Linux or I might even consider getting a new iMac for my Internet needs.

A number of posters are making two mistakes
- Never assume the status quo will last forever
- Few companies sell you software. They sell you the right to use their software.

Microsoft has tried numerous pay-as-you-go schemes over the last few years. They initially saw MMORPGs as a proof of concept for this and did a trial with Office 2000 that flopped. Their current ones focus on hosting applications like Exchange and SQL for businesses.

With the exponential increase in computing power and even linear increases in internet bandwidth I can see this idea working for some in as few as 10 years. By then the dumb terminal installed in a home will have capabilities at least equal to a current high end gaming rig.

Where I see this working is with people like my parents who do not understand their computer to begin with. To them this would be a godsend. No more worrying about viruses, no need to pay to upgrade their software. Just go into the store, buy a cheap terminal (cheap compared to their current computer) and then rent the storage, games and programs they need as they need them.

People like my parents would be the foot in the door. A few years later the business model would become so pervasive that it would eat into the custom PC market. Eventually Custom PCs would become a small niche segment occupied by a few stubborn individualists and maybe some anarchists. We would essentially be back to the old mainframe style market.

Do I believe it likely to happen? I think some variant of it will come about. The only question will be who makes the software for it and who controls the gateways into it. For 'convenience' I am sure Microsoft hopes to be its sole guardian. Who knows, maybe decades from now an AI version of Steve Jobs will unveil their big competitor - the iTerminal dock for the iPhone (or its successor)

Just a monopoly doing what it wants. Microsoft should have been broken up years ago when they had the antitrust lawsuit. I'll stay with win xp as long as possible.

What the hell do you think Windows Azure will be?

And this may sumplemental. As in, when you need more processing power, you can use this network to get more. And I think that's why the mention gaming on the weekends. If may just need some extra power for some occasional apps.

No one said that Microsoft's quest for the "revenue stream" was new. Google etc. is actually helping them along with user acceptance.

I will be the stubborn individualist/anarchists.

It will be cold day in He||.

Someday we all we be Borg...

Microsoft's patent and QPRC's patent are as usefull as the laywers behind them.

Microsoft has better lawyers.

Not just no, HELL NO! I paid for my hardware which is WAY better than the average user's hardware. I PAID for my use of Windows Vista x64. I customized my computing environment to MY liking, and I have it all stored on MY machine. I can use it whenever I like, internet access or no internet access. I don't care ho0w good it is, just let me pay for my shit once and let me use it all I want FOREVER!