Microsoft to Offer Free Internet-Based Software

Microsoft announced that it will offer free software that will connect its Windows operating system to software delivered over the internet.

This is a major shoft for Microsoft which traditionally sold commercial packaged software.

This unprecendented move by Microsoft is in direct response to Google’s offering its own brand of software applications over the internet.

Here is what Kenneth Wasch, president of the Software and Information Industry Association, had to say:

“To the extent that the industry is moving toward an on-demand business model, it poses a threat to Microsoft.”

Microsoft’s new Windows Live software includes a photo-sharing application, an electronic mail programme and a writing tool designed for people who maintain and manage blogs.

Microsoft will reportedly be offering its photo-sharing and disk storage services for free and charging for services like its computer security technology.

A few weeks ago Google added StarOffice (Sun’s rival to the Microsoft package) to its free software offering.

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