PCFormat Forum Archive

Many have said that the future of Microsoft will be in subscription-based software, cloud computing or some combination of the two. Well, let's hope that it doesn't turn out anything like patent application 20080319910.

Much of the application is unsurprising, and even somewhat dated. The vision laid out is not unlike how the mobile phone industry works today, incorporating heavily-subsidized hardware (though not under a service contract) that can utilize services on a pay-as-you-go basis. Certain programs and functions cost more than others, and could be unlocked on demand. But it's not just high-performance software that can be rented, it's high performance itself.

Described in the patent is a system by which individuals will be forced to rent different levels of computer performance, being shunted into an arbitrarily-slow mode if they choose not to pay. In other words, to play a high-end game, you'd have to rent not just the game, but a sort of unlock for your processor, RAM and video hardware, just so you can fully make use of them.

The idea of subsidized, service-fee based computing has potential, but not like this. It'd be hard to imagine Microsoft winning many fans by forcing users to pay to unlock the obvious potential of hardware that is sitting right in front of them.

LINK

would you pay for each and every service you use on your pc?

er... you are aware, of course, that this is exactly what windows users are already doing... spending premium in order to 'unlock the power' of their pc... given the DRM/HAL relationship of vista, your hardware is already not your own... and 7 will continue the trend...

microsoft out to milk the mentally handicapped? ..old news...

All hail Linux!

All it needs is proper DX implementation, then Windows would die forever (hopefully)

DarkStar wrote:All hail Linux!

All it needs is proper DX implementation, then Windows would die forever (hopefully)

That's never gonna happen

DarkStar wrote:All hail Linux!

All it needs is proper DX implementation, then Windows would die forever (hopefully)

True faboism knows no bounds.

DarkStar wrote:All hail Linux!

All it needs is proper DX implementation, then Windows would die forever (hopefully)

Actually, faster development of OpenGL would be the best bet, given that Ray Tracing is the future of graphics, and that runs better on OpenGL.

Linux, of course, already fully supports OpenGL

UrBaN wrote:

DarkStar wrote:All hail Linux!

All it needs is proper DX implementation, then Windows would die forever (hopefully)

Actually, faster development of OpenGL would be the best bet, given that Ray Tracing is the future of graphics, and that runs better on OpenGL.

Linux, of course, already fully supports OpenGL

that still means nothing.
would be used in hollywood for sure, but not sure about games...

yup...

besides, DX is proprietary.... ie, will never be included in *nix...

rustypup wrote:yup...

besides, DX is proprietary.... ie, will never be included in *nix...

linux is just an os.
u can download and install whatever you like, proprietary or not.
this free and open source software movement rubbish will never work.

just my views.

shiv wrote:just my views.

while you are entitled to a view, we are entitled to snigger at it...

<sniggers>...

i believe canonical has a hit squad dedicated to cackling in the face of anyone with a sub-standard intellect making broad statements about things they have zero knowledge of... ie, oprah fans...

just to clarify for you: direct-x is microsoft proprietary - which means you do not get to port onto other OSs, you do not get to fiddle with it and you do sell a little piece fo your soul everytime you use it... what you're apparently completely oblivious to, here, is that windows is only a required OS with respect to gaming because hardware manufacturers allowed themselves to be locked in by MS based on their entirely ill-gotten marketshare, (a history lesson i'm not prepared to repeat here).

long story short:

as an aside, i strongly suspect that DX will come in multiple flavours, requiring hardcore gamers to spend a little extra to enable the HD content...

microsoft: entertaining macdonald's employees since 3.1

rustypup wrote:

shiv wrote:just my views.

while you are entitled to a view, we are entitled to snigger at it...

<sniggers>...

i believe canonical has a hit squad dedicated to cackling in the face of anyone with a sub-standard intellect making broad statements about things they have zero knowledge of... ie, oprah fans...

just to clarify for you: direct-x is microsoft proprietary - which means you do not get to port onto other OSs, you do not get to fiddle with it and you do sell a little piece fo your soul everytime you use it... what you're apparently completely oblivious to, here, is that windows is only a required OS with respect to gaming because hardware manufacturers allowed themselves to be locked in by MS based on their entirely ill-gotten marketshare, (a histroy lesson i'm not prepared to repeat here).

long story short:

as an aside, i strongly suspect that DX will come in multiple flavours, requiring hardcore gamers to spend a little extra to enable the HD content...

microsoft: entertaining macdonald's employees since 3.1

I'm not implying that free and open source software is rubbish.
I use a few apps.
It will never completely wash with typical users, period.
Your typical user wants stuff to work, without editing config files.
Your typical user couldn't even care about open source.
Microsoft's dominance is key.
Canonical is really dumb for not implementing MP3 support, you really think your average user cares about Ogg Vorbis??

As for DirectX, it doesn't have to be ported.
We all know of those apps that can try to make games work but usually fail.

As for Microsoft's market share and ill-practices, who really cares?
It worked and will continue to do so.
I want my hardware to work after installing it.
Not trawling the net for some complicated workarounds.
Why write drivers and waste time and money on an OS that no one uses??

Your antics about selling your soul is hilarious and now a bit ridiculous.
I doubt that MS will do that with DirectX, lol.
Even if they do, you just have to wait a while...
Most copies of Windows are pirated anyway, so your argument about money falls away.

While I also have my gripes with MS, the fact is they rule.
I use their products everyday, at work and home.
And almost everyone else.
As for malware, that argument will never hold.

Vista is rubbish.
But Windows 7 so far is damn amazing from what I've read.
So MS might actually get it right.

You can sit in the back room and have fun with the command line, and other obscure things.
I will enjoy my full HD experience and whatever-else-works-only/best-on-Windows.

holy schazbat .... i believe you meant to post that nonsense in some other X vs Y thread...

windows 7 will prove to be just as, (if not more), restrictive as vista...

OS fanbois - entertaining the interwebs since arpa was in diapers...

rustypup wrote:holy schazbat .... i believe you meant to post that nonsense in some other X vs Y thread...

windows 7 will prove to be just as, (if not more), restrictive as vista...

OS fanbois - entertaining the interwebs since arpa was in diapers...

lol @ rustypup

The future looks bleek
Linux still has to get that Direct -X like thing for it to hit off and leave windows in the dust..
(((hugs)))

Zana wrote:The future looks bleek
Linux still has to get that Direct -X like thing for it to hit off and leave windows in the dust..
(((hugs)))

What about Office and their excellent development tools??
MS has a tight grip and I don't see it becoming any looser.

shiv wrote:What about Office and their excellent development tools??

openoffice already trumps office in many respects...

and what development tools could you possibly be referring to?... sure as sugar coated candy pops it isn't anything in the MS stable - aside from VB/VBA which is satan's very own purgatory...

rustypup wrote:

shiv wrote:What about Office and their excellent development tools??

openoffice already trumps office in many respects...

and what development tools could you possibly be referring to?... sure as sugar coated candy pops it isn't anything in the MS stable - aside from VB/VBA which is satan's very own purgatory...

OO will suffice for a home user.
For business, MS Office rules.
Pivots and other powerful functions are a dream in MS Office.
I've used OO and find it a great alternative (the comp sci lans only had linux), but MS Office is more comfortable and easier to use.

I'm referring to .NET.
MS has great tools here.
Makes development fun, lol.

shiv wrote: I'm referring to .NET.
MS has great tools here.
Makes development fun, lol.

I thought so to till i started using dream weaver. OMG it is awsome.

shiv wrote:I'm referring to .NET.

ugliest tools i've ever used...

most of .net is like working with java's deformed cousin from the boondocks... i would even go so far as to say i'd embrace python before this tripe....

rustypup wrote:

shiv wrote:I'm referring to .NET.

ugliest tools i've ever used...

most of .net is like working with java's deformed cousin from the boondocks... i would even go so far as to say i'd embrace python before this tripe....

well ms tools are good for front ends
i used java for back ends.
getting them to talk is a pain though.

u seem to hate anything ms, even if its good
i'm not a pro developer, but the fact that the older, more experienced ones are actually impressed must say something.

shiv wrote:i used java for back ends.

- i have no idea how anyone would go about responding to something so evidently flawed......

shiv wrote:the fact that the older, more experienced ones are actually impressed must say something.

yes... it means they're not all that good at what they do... nothing ms has produced in dev languages/IDEs is worthy of note...

awaits kronos' wrath

rustypup wrote:

shiv wrote:i used java for back ends.

- i have no idea how anyone would go about responding to something so evidently flawed......

shiv wrote:the fact that the older, more experienced ones are actually impressed must say something.

yes... it means they're not all that good at what they do... nothing ms has produced in dev languages/IDEs is worthy of note...

awaits kronos' wrath

has ms produced ANYTHING good in its life time??

jamin_za wrote:

lol @ jamin_za