Microsoft to test ad-supported version of Works

Taking a page from the Google playbook, Microsoft on Wednesday said it would start offering a free, ad-supported version of Works, its basic spreadsheet and word-processing software, as part of a testing program with computer manufacturers. The free Works would be a rival to Google Docs and Spreadsheets, which is Web-based, although Works is not. That means ads would be stored in users cache folders, refreshed each time a user logs onto the Web. Microsoft is yet to disclose its partners for the new software, which used to go for $40. More ...