Hi all, This week's poll question is about how Microsoft's announcement that it will put ads in Office 2010 Starter Edition. Discuss here whether you think about idea, and, if you like, the poll results themselves. Thanks! Justin

I think it's an interesting idea and I'd be curious to see if it works. Looks like Microsoft is betting via their OEMs that by giving away Office 2010 that is limited in functionality, but stuffed with ads, by bundling with new PCs and laptops would drive users to purchase the full version better than a full install of Office with a 60-day license. It all depends on how and when the ads appear. For example, if every output document, presentation or spreadsheet has an ad or watermark on it, then it would basically be a for-personal use only type of software as no one would want an ad popping up during a business meeting or demonstration as this would be like a banner across the forehead that says, "Hey, I'm too cheap to purchase the full version of Office 2010."

Right, 'cause adding advertisements to your software worked great for Opera Software and AOL.

if they get away with it and it works, you can bet your cojones that they'll try the same jizz with their os as well, prob'ly even arranged to add insult by connect/download ad material off the web. welcome to the information age.

Doesn't Microsoft already make enough money off people who think that they NEED Microsoft Office?