Microsoft ‘Points’ or Gold Grams?
The Microsoft Windows crowd is a truly focused group.
When speculating on a possible future Microsoft Online Payment System for global e-commerce writer Robert McLaws on Windows Now, shows us the universal appeal of a Microsoft ‘Point’ in his article “Microsoft To Open ‘Points’ Micro-Payment Framework?”
“Microsoft Points work the same way. A Point is a Point is a Point, it doesn’t matter what country you’re in or what currency you use. On Xbox Live, every TV show is worth the same number of Points, whether you’re in Australia or Zimbabwe. Microsoft manages the exchange rates internally, so the actual cost of the point varies per country.”
Its great that we are all working towards a universal online payment system that can be well accepted in every country on earth, but I’ve never owned or even used an Xbox. I’m not even sure what an Xbox is…and I don’t have a credit card or a US bank to buy ‘points’ online.
Do Internet users in Mumbai or Zimbabwe really understand the perceived value of a ‘point’ and would any of them have plastic or bank access to buy them? I think in Zimbabwe more people have cell phones than bank accounts.
Wouldn’t our new global e-commerce world better understand the value of one gram of pure gold?
After all, one gold gram equals one gold gram and that value remains consistent in every country on earth. Additionally, Microsoft would NOT manage the global gold exchange rates internally, so the actual cost of the grams would not vary per country.
Gold is already global and has been for thousands of years. Everyone knows, understands and recognizes the inflation proof, disaster proof value of Gold. (plus the Chinese can’t bootleg copies of gold bullion, yet at least)
I believe, and this is just me talking out loud, but I think most people of the world would rather have a gram of digital gold backed by secured gold bullion in a vault than own value in a fictional Xbox, digital ‘point’ backed by the full faith and credit of a US company funded by the almighty sinking US dollar. But that’s just me thinking out loud. In a 6 part series, back in March of this year, I took a look at creating a new Ultimate Payment System. Gold was preferred at that time also.
At least we all agree as Robert does that,
“It’s no secret that the existing “merchant” system for processing credit cards is nothing but a way for large banks to rip you off one plastic swipe at a time. It’s ridiculously hard to process small transactions when you’re paying 2.75% plus $0.35 per transaction in fees.”
There has never been a more true statement than this….keep up the good work Robert, perhaps we can meet somewhere in the middle with a universally accepted Microsoft Gold Gram. I would definitely trust a digital gold gram backed by Microsoft’s vaulted gold bars!
