Microsoft to charge for Office 2007 beta downloads

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bandwidth isn't cheap

Bandwidth isn't cheap and Microsoft is not an ISP. oFFice sYSYTEM beta is HUGE and I doubt any software company could handle that demand. I'm sure they wouldn't implement something like this unless the bandwidth costs were causing significant increases in expenses.

Second of all, in large companies like that, budgets are determined well in advance. I'm sure they didn't budget enough money to cover beta distribution and they probably ate through it quickly. They've said on numerous occasions that the demand for the new Office beta exceeded their expectations.

Finally, a common misconception is that companies are obligated to provide beta software. It wasn't too long ago that public betas were unheard of. When you require beta applications, you can cut it off at a given number. When it's public, you have no idea how many takers you may get. And $1.50 is half the price it costs to cross the Ben Franklin bridge or a put a gallon of gas in your car. It's not that big a deal.

Posted by: einsteintech   Posted on: 07/29/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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