I was reading Bink the other day and I came across this article that’s titled “”http://bink.nu/Article4619.bink">Ballmer: High-end Windows, Office Coming" (the source article is on CNET though).

According to the article, my favorite corporate mouthpiece Steve
Ballmer, said that “Microsoft is planning new, higher-priced versions
of both Windows and Office in the coming years as part of its effort to
grow sales.” In his speech at the Microsoft Financial Analyst meeting,
he went on to say, “We have
plans in the Vista generation to introduce an Enterprise edition.”

Why oh why does Microsoft do this? Go back and read the first quote.
I’ll wait. Back? Good. Do you see anything in there about the new
versions of Windows or Office benefiting their customer base? I didn’t
think so. Nowhere does it say anything about doing this for the
consumers. It’s all about increasing Microsoft’s bottom line. Consumers
don’t want a higher priced version of Windows and Office, they are high
priced as it is.

Out of the 52 comments that appeared in response to CNET’s article none, absolutely none, were positive.

This reminds me of the comic hey-day of the early 1990s. During that
time, comic companies like Marvel, DC, Image and others would release a
comic with 2 or three cover variations in order to increase revenue. I
don’t think that any of the consumers actually wanted this crap and
it’s one of the reasons that I stopped collecting comics.

Maybe good ol’ Ballmer can release a version of Windows Vista with a
foil embossed, fold-out cover that’s been personally signed by him.
That way they can increase revenue because people will buy two copies,
one to install on their PCs and one as a collectors item. That’s what the customers want!