Seems we're waiting for Microsoft to make a defensive chess move against Google's freebie, ad-supported Docs & Spreadsheets software play and test a free hybrid version of the next release of its low-end productivity kit, Works, whose word processing, spreadsheet, database and calendaring skills are generally enough for most people.

Some unidentified OEMs are going to install it pre-loaded with small supposedly unobtrusive display ads that pop up offline and when users connect to the Internet they'll get a continuing stream of new ones in the corner of their screen or at start-up. The ads are supposed to appeal to the known demographics of Works users.

Users would be able to click through to buy an ad-free version of Works for 40 bucks, often simply bundled by manufacturers, or download a free trial of the pricey Office 2007.

Apparently Microsoft's not thinking about hosting Works 9 SE Google and the other on-demand vendors nibbling on Microsoft's margins - at least not with this pilot - it's an ad thing.

The test, to determine if ad-based software will fly and limited to certain markets, will reportedly run about a year.

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