Jim Pickering said:
When the Live Desktop app comes out of beta, it is planned that "paid or
premium" accounts will be able to block the ads from within the program.
Great! So I can use Live Desktop with my Adelphia account, or my own POP3
account from my own server and not view ads? I'll not hold my breath.
Of course MSFT would turn the ads off for people who use premium MSN HTTP
accounts, since there's no need to double-dip the user. That would be
greedy.
Also a proficient user can already block them if they understand how to
use a HOSTS file and a quick Google search would reveal this to anyone
with a browser:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
Also wonderful to know that MSFT is not being nefarious in how it embeds the
ads. And sure, if we start bringing in third-party software, we may as well
just suggest everyone use Hotpop and not even install Live Desktop, instead
of trying to circumvent the software once it is installed.
--
Jim Pickering
MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail
Please reply to newsgroup only so that others may be helped with your
feedback.
While this post is both informative and somewhat relevant, Jim, it does not
propose a counter statement that forcing the user to view ads is part of a
sound business plan. I'm not saying Live Desktop is a good or bad program,
I'm not saying that adware is a good or bad idea. Heckins, I make a little
every month from Adsense myself. What I am saying is that MSFT saw an
untapped revenue source and capitalized on it, and, myself being a die-hard
capitalist, I say it's about time!
Mark