pay-as-you-go-has-got-to-go

Both Microsoft and Google have released pay-as-you-go software subscription services. Google has released "Google Apps Premier Edition" for $50 a year you get, Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, Docs & Spreadsheets, Page Creator and Start Page with more space (10gigs), no adds, 24/7 assistance and many more small perks. According to arstechnica.com Microsoft has started testing subscription based software in South Africa, Mexico, and Romania. $15 a month can get you use of Office 2003. In an industry that is all ready hurting due to piracy is a pay-as-you-go business plan going to work, or are most companies and schools going save money by purchasing old copies of Microsoft Office at a discounted price and using it until it is obsolete. Or are other open source ideas like Openoffice going to catch on with major companies and education institutions? In a world full of subscription based technology (internet, TV, Tivo, cellular service, electricity, netflix) is there anymore money left for the consumer shell out at the end of the month for the most up-to-date Microsoft Office? Or does the consumer just care about getting the cheapest deal at Newegg.com?