A comment I wanted to make on the frozen thread. . .

Might the real problem at the moment (availability of pay-per-use web services) be that MS hasn't yet delivered the metering/charging mechanism(s) to enable people to do so.

Might it be that, for MS to do so any time soon, they would have to tip their hand regarding their plans in more concrete terms?. . .In other words, if MS plans itself to be the arbitor (middleman) between service buyer/seller, saying so now is too dangerous to their plans.

just a thought.