As a spin-off over MS downgrading Claria spyware from Quarantine material to Ignore levels, my colleague Deram came with this brilliant insight: Would you use a ad-supported Windows for “free”?

Think of it. MS would rather have “us” use a pirated Windows than Linux (see also: Windows for a dollar. Since there will always be people using non-paid Windows, what about a Gator-driven Windows? A Windows that will spew ands on you and that you know will spy on you, but one you will be able to use sans paying, just because of that?

Google, Yahoo! and a bunch of other web companies are using this business model. Opera and User friendly are using business models where you can either have an ad-supported gratis experience or a paid-for but undisturbed one. A problem (for Microsoft) would be the OEMs. MS could not have manufacturers distribute computers with “Claria Windows”, but then again, they already have the cartel deal where OMEs will get Windows licenses cheaper if they only push desktop computers with Windows OEM licenses. That’s why you don’t see high-profile manufacturers selling Linux desktops — it’s just too darn expensive not to take the “special offer”…