What business model is suitable for an online OS?

[shedokan]

Hello,
I am in the making of an online OS, and someone I know told me that before I go and seek out an investor I need to find a business model for it.

I am thinking to give away for each user 10mb of space for free, in hopes that I will find a buisness model to cover up for these.

I thought of these ones, but they all have a problem:
A Pop-Up ad - People hate popups.

An ad somewhere - Needs a user base for good ads(not those google ads, I don't think they are sutiable for an online OS).

An extra space plan(1gb 10gb, 50gb) - This also needs a user base.


So what business model is suitable for this kind of buisness?

Thanks

[Ergo1]

An online operating system? Either I misunderstand the acronym or this is a breakthrough product.

[shedokan]

I am making an online application where you can save files, edit them, and from there I call it an OS.

it will have different applications(Already has one like MS paint), I forgot to mention also that I am planing to make an API for developers to make applications for the OS and sell them, but developers will be interested in only if users will be interested in the OS, so that's not a solution(at least my friend told me so).

And also this OS will be used inside the browser(Made with JavaScript and other web technologies).

[Ergo1]

Looks like you were already on to my idea of monetizing the apps. Why not make the base system ad free and implement ads into the applications. You can then offer paid versions of the applications to get rid of the ads or to purchase additional features (iPhone applications have been successful doing this).

I think the extra space plan may be a dead end since there is so much available for virtually free these days.

[jmeijers]

I don't see the added value of such an OS to be bluntly honest. There are many solutions out there which allow you to work remotely and have your desktop with you, so that argument isn't valid (if you wanted to use that).

However, I may be mistaken or miss something. If I am and it does offer great functionality for (some) people, here's my take on it:

OSes work on a vicious cycle: more users -> more programmers -> more programs -> more users -> etc. So anything that stimulates that cycle should be free, or even sponsored.

That does not mean all applications should be free, but there should be a big base of applications for users to use for free.

Maybe a use-per-tick system is a good way to go. Have programmers determine what their app costs per hour to use, and have the user automatically be billed. Apps can also be free.

When billing the user, make sure 10% goes into your pocket. Just my 2 cents (no 10% fee on those )

[shedokan]

who wouldn't want to buy or just use the same software on everywhere they go.

And I don't really get the part of there are better ways to use your desktop, because you have to install the special software to use your desktop, and have your computer at home turned on.


And do you think people would really pay for software just to get more features and have the ads turned on?

And what type of ads can I use for something like this? I can't just put google ones.

The idea is also having this business plan to start-off, maybe later if this will go well then it might change to offer ads like meebo.