Windows 7 will be modular - But will Microsoft make them subscription based?

The successor to Microsoft Windows Vista, also known as, “Windows 7″ will be a modular based operating system.  Now Windows Vista is already modular, somewhat.  You have different versions of the operating system, Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, each with its own features.  The lower end versions are all upgradable to the higher end versions.  Windows 2008 works in a similar fashion except it has the server manager that allows you to apply different roles to each server.  Each one of these roles can be looked at as a different ‘module’ that installs to the operating system.

What’s really going to bake your noodle is that there’s rumors these “modules” for Windows 7 will be subscription based.  Meaning, you don’t pay for the operating system like you currently do but you pay for each product and module of the that product that you will use.  I’m not sure if this is good or bad for the consumer yet but it will work in Microsoft’s favor to assure a solid revenue stream coming in.  I presume this will also help prevent against piracy.

I don’t know about any of you, but I think I pay for enough subscription based services in my everyday life.  I don’t want to be paying Microsoft on a monthly basis just to use my damn computer.  I’m waiting for someone to author a book titled “The Rise And Fall Of Microsoft”.  Because I think if this platform makes it to consumers, Linux and it’s distributions will take the PC world by storm.  That is assuming it doesn’t do so BEFORE Windows 7 hits store shelves.