Steve Jobs once considered an ad-supported version of Mac OS 9. Users would see a 60-second Apple-updated commercial during boot, as well as several other ads throughout the system. This all was tied to selling operating system updates - "this is how Microsoft does it... It's like printing money", Jobs said. While the idea was financially sound, Apple decided against it because too many negatives arose.
Post a Comment
Member since:
2006-07-14
In the age of Mac OS9 most people were lucky to have 33.6 kb modems. Remotely updating video ads? That's so ridiculously bad of an idea.
But Jobs was right about the updates, not many people I knew were using the latest version of Mac OS. Keeping up with the changes in the os version were tough as a newbie mac programmer and maintaining separate versions was a double pain.
Member since:
2005-07-06
That sounds like a very [Crest Toothpaste - for that, smooth, sexy smile that says, "I just passed gas"!] good idea. It would have at least been [Rexson - when you're ready for more than just Yahtzee. Side effects may include boredom, itching, diarrhea and smelly toes.] worth a try.
Member since:2005-07-06
I [Got a rash that will not go away... Zarvirax!] agree. However it could lead to invasive [Free prostrate checks of over 50s] targeted adds based on [Ozonate! get rid of that lingering odour] how the computer is used.
I would love to [last longer with rumptonix] hear other view points.
Member since:2009-07-17
Member since:
2006-03-27
Member since:2005-11-13
I would expect MS to try pulling off something like this before Apple. In fact, I'm surprised they haven't already. (Or maybe they did and I just missed it.) I mean, hell... if they did it like their Xbox Live service, they would charge full price for it and STILL show people ads.
Edited 2012-04-26 21:48 UTC
Member since:2005-08-26
There's a version of office that has an advertisement area in the startup pane:
http://i.zdnet.com/blogs/office-starter-2010-with-sidebar.jpg
Member since:2005-07-06
"Ads in OS" is sort of here, also in an Apple OS (isn't that what iAd is about? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAd ...even if intrudes less - not when you just interact with the OS)
Member since:2005-11-13
Member since:2007-11-11
And whose fault is that? People that are either too lazy or too...well stupid, to even bother to read what a program says, in clear text with checkboxes no less, before they install software onto their system that could be doing anything! Frankly I'm shocked more programmers haven't stuck jokes in the EULAs, like "We get the right to name your first born children and drink all your beer" just because they know nobody even bothers to read or check anything anymore!
BTW if you have friends and or relatives like this? you might want to know of a place called http://ninite.com/ which will install most of the software your average user wants/needs with NO TOOLBARS and in fact no questions, just check the boxes of what you want and run it.
As for TFA you have to remember the era, we are talking OS9, an OS that was woefully behind the times and was basically shoved out the doors to buy them time to get OSX complete. Thanks to the Pepsi guy betting the farm on the lawsuit, followed by the next CEOs letting Pink/Copeland/Taligent get so bloated and messed up the only solution was to buy another OS? Well you can see why anything that would bring more revenue might have been entertained.
Member since:2005-11-13
I think you're missing the point. Look, I'm not a fan of ads at all, but it's clear that some people don't mind them in exchange for a 'free' app, as they'd rather have apps and other things take a shit in their eyes to save 2 or 3 bucks. To that end, I think it's better to have the API for this stuff built into the OS, instead of each app installing its own crap. It's kind of like having a centralized update system built into the OS, vs every app that wants to try and update itself, half of the time by installing some 'agent' to run in the task bar.
BTW: I appreciate the link... never heard of that site
Member since:2011-05-12
Member since:
2008-06-02