Microsoft IE was about protecting their operating system only. While IE had not even been started yet, Netscape, with their Navigator was going to sell it with it's own operating system. Gates dropped every other project he was working on and quickly developed IE to head off this crisis. He had underestimated the impact of the Internet and how it alone could sell computers. Then when completed, Microsoft included IE with their operating sytsem for free, Netscape filed a lawsuit to block it from being given away like that on anti-trust allegations. They did not win that lawsuit but may have made a private settlement (I don't know). I think they did make certain concessions in Europe.That stand alone operating system fight continues today in cell phones, TV's, and "books". "Windows Live" is another effort to secure the use of Microsoft Windows as the operating system of choice. And "Flight" is an important tool to help bolster "Windows Live". It's all about preserving the cash cow..... Windows.Bob - Las Cruces, NM

+ 1As I said from the beginning follow the $$$......that is also true for the dev.

Nothing is free, ever, if only because of the time spent with whatever is "free" is time not spent doing something else. Further, even if IE9 is "free", the time learning IE9 (and your neurons dedicated to IE9) is not.Same for Windows, which ought to be considered "free" given the price you paid ($50 when bundled with your PC to $400 for the Ultimate version) pales wwhen compared to the billions spent in development: The real cost is how many hours you spend learning to configure and use Windows to your advantage. Take those hours and multiply by your hourly rate at work and be amazed.Same for FSX: If you tally the number of hours spent on learning/configuration, you have to come to the inevitable conclusion that you don't own FSX as much as FSX owns you (and that's before factoring-in how hooked you may be on simming and aviation in general.)So in reality Microsoft is not in the software business as much as it is in the real-estate business: The real-estate of the neurons in your head programmed by Microsoft to be used for it's own products.And now, back to simming! (Which is free when compared to flying the real iron!) :-)

I think Flight will be free.Msoft has gone hippy and socialist and realises that cash can't be eaten, cannot buy health or immortality (well you can try) and Mr Msoft wants to spread some joy and marvellessness . Our lives our short and mainly brutal so MSoft is going to surprise us all buy doing something wonderful.You wait and see!Andy

I think Flight will be free.Msoft has gone hippy and socialist and realises that cash can't be eaten, cannot buy health or immortality (well you can try) and Mr Msoft wants to spread some joy and marvellessness . Our lives our short and mainly brutal so MSoft is going to surprise us all buy doing something wonderful.You wait and see!Andy

I don't know what you'r smoking but ....can I have some.....:(

I think Flight will be free.Msoft has gone hippy and socialist and realises that cash can't be eaten, cannot buy health or immortality (well you can try) and Mr Msoft wants to spread some joy and marvellessness . Our lives our short and mainly brutal so MSoft is going to surprise us all buy doing something wonderful.You wait and see!Andy

Maybe Microsoft will use a technique demonstrated in the Bond movie "Live and Let Die". Mr. Big was going to distribute heroin for free, until the number of heroin addicts (almost as addicted as some flight simmers) doubled or tripled. Then he would drive out all competitors and start to sell his heroin at greatly increased prices (Microsoft Flight App Store).Regards, Mike Mann

That stand alone operating system fight continues today in cell phones, TV's, and "books". "Windows Live" is another effort to secure the use of Microsoft Windows as the operating system of choice. And "Flight" is an important tool to help bolster "Windows Live". It's all about preserving the cash cow..... Windows.Bob - Las Cruces, NM

Yup that's why I don't discount the other thread about Flight being somewhat "free", I think they might just offer more than a simple demo through Windows Live.

I don't know what you'r smoking but ....can I have some.....:(

+1!Cheers,- jahman.

Andy,Can I have some tea?

Yes, it wiil be free...... just pay $100 for S and H. :(

Perhaps Flight will be a free to play 'game' with a micro-transactions business model? e.g. premium graphics, premium weather effects and premium scenery?

It will be 'free' but you'll notice that around the airports you'll see big 'ads' for Burger King, McDonalds, various other products, etc., and every 5 minutes the virtual FO will try to sell you life insurance.That's how it will be 'free'.

I don't know what you'r smoking but ....can I have some.....:(

Smoking Sir!No No NoJust clean living Hard work (ish) (sometimes) (well not that often)Regular exercise Cold showersAnd of course (Jim)copious amounts of tea.Unfortunately!!! this fine picture of virtuous living is marred somewhat by the occasional (also known as regular) quaffing of Ale.This in turn can lead to rambling ,potty, forum postings and weird weirdness generally.So mucho aplojoso to all.Andy

Smoking Sir!No No NoJust clean living Hard work (ish) (sometimes) (well not that often)Regular exercise Cold showersAnd of course (Jim)copious amounts of tea.Unfortunately!!! this fine picture of virtuous living is marred somewhat by the occasional (also known as regular) quaffing of Ale.This in turn can lead to rambling ,potty, forum postings and weird weirdness generally.So mucho aplojoso to all.Andy

Now that's my type of living, I don't smoke myself but after your post I was tempted to do so.....:( Bonne journée, et vous n'avez pas besoin de vous excuser.

It will be 'free' but you'll notice that around the airports you'll see big 'ads' for Burger King, McDonalds, various other products, etc., and every 5 minutes the virtual FO will try to sell you life insurance.That's how it will be 'free'.

As long as they don't plaster ads on the PFD on final approach... :-)Cheers,- jahman.

I think Flight will be free.Msoft has gone hippy and socialist and realises that cash can't be eaten, cannot buy health or immortality (well you can try) and Mr Msoft wants to spread some joy and marvellessness . Our lives our short and mainly brutal so MSoft is going to surprise us all buy doing something wonderful.You wait and see!Andy

I don't want MS Flight to be "free" now or ever. Just like I don't want health care to be "free". Because you get what you pay for. Profit is a good thing.