Re: Will this hurt freeware??

de jejoyce28 05/23/2006 12:35

I really don't see this as affecting freeware either negatively or
positively.

After all, this isn't Microsoft's first experiment with "FlexGo", but
rather a second or third attempt at making it a viable business model
in "developing" countries. And really, it's not that bad an idea. Think
about it; a market where not many people can afford to have a PC,
standard financing like Dell/VISA/MC or debit cards aren't an option.
So that's where "FlexGo" comes in.

It really isn't much different than working out a financing program
with Dell or Alienware or any of the other boutiques. They agree to
finance part (or all) of the cost of a system, meaning we pay less
upfront to get one. And just like FlexGo, the finance charges mean you
wind up paying more than if you'd bought it outright, but....The only
difference I see between Dell/Alienware/Card Issuers setup and the
FlexGo program is that the FlexGo program has more of an immediate
penalty -- you don't make your payments, the PC quits working.

It's not a system where you have to continually keep buying "prepaid
cards" indefinitely. Once the balance of the system and finance charges
are paid off, the PC's yours outright, just as it would be if it'd been
bought traditionally.