Sun Says Hardware Will Be Free 895
ron_ivi writes "Reuters reports that Sun's President and COO thinks hardware will be free and that people will pay for software subscriptions instead. Reuters quotes Schwartz: 'In our world, you will subscribe to the software and the hardware is free.' 'Directionally, our expectation is that in fiscal 2005 you're going to see a rapid departure from selling hardware, software and services apart.' 'Bill Gates and I agree that within four to five years hardware will be free.' We've recently read here on /. how Gates thinks hardware will be free."
I am willing to be a test subject for this (Score:2, Funny)
Yeah, well (Score:5, Funny)
I'll expect to take delivery of this equipment right after my Triphibian Atomicar rolls off the transporter from Swift Enterprises.
Seriously... a couple of years ago, Sun was telling us we'd all be running on glorified VT100 terminals. At what point do these clowns lose all credibility?
sdrawkcab (Score:3, Funny)
He's welcome to send me all the free hardware he pleases.
I want free Sun hardware (Score:2, Funny)
Cars will be Free (Score:5, Funny)
We will just pay for gas and service.
I think Sun stock will be "free" too, if you know what I mean.
Finally! (Score:1, Funny)
Now onto my plans for world domination!
Great! (Score:4, Funny)
Now, Honey, don't you think that E15K makes a great replacement for that china cabinet we used to have? And all I had to do was purchase a software license for StarOffice!
Works out best... (Score:1, Funny)
Tell me where to take my moving truck in this twisted reality and I'll prove both companies right all day long.
Shhh (Score:2, Funny)
Perfect! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Yeah, well (Score:5, Funny)
I use the VT52 as a footstool.
No, it'll be this way (Score:5, Funny)
Step 2: Large numbers of businesses, who would pay for software anyway, get new free great DRM hardware.
Step 3: These same large businesses now throw out all of their old, non-DRM, non-Compatible hardware.
Step 4: Geeks like us go dumpster diving in a sea of free hardware.
Step 5: Install OSS on free hardware.
Step 6: ?
Step 7: Profit!!!!!
Re:They got it backwards (Score:5, Funny)
1. Release free hardware with software subscription.
2. People put Linux on it.
3. File bankruptcy!
Sun Hardware Will Be Free (Score:2, Funny)
At least you will be able to get it for next to free on the auction block after Sun goes bankrupt. :)
In other news (Score:4, Funny)
In other news (Score:5, Funny)
A leading bicycle manufacturer announced today that, in the future, bicycles will be free but people will have to pay for the oxygen they'd breathe while biking.
Advertisement:
[Kids, steal money from your parents and buy Nike brand oxygen. Only Nike oxygen delivers the charge you need to push the limit.]
This announcement follows a call by several right-wing thinktanks for a transition from a manufacture-based to a service-based economy.
A number of South American and African nations, who have finally developed a manufacturing sector of their own in spite of IMF loans going primarily to resource extraction are not expected to follow the advice in the near future.
Re:Free Market (Score:5, Funny)
"You can't afford $1 a day?" he said.
"No," she said, "I can't afford $365 per year."
So much for his commission on a $1,300 vacuum.
Terrific! (Score:3, Funny)
Then I'll install Linux on them, and forgo the software rental fees.
steve
Re:A return to appliances? (Score:5, Funny)
Which is not necessarily a deal-breaker, seeing as how I'll be dead and all.