It was born in a different era, when free mobile apps proliferate through word of mouth, not crapware PC installations by computer makers and ads for shrink-wrapped software.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

That was after the IRS had printed 2006 tax forms, and shrink-wrapped commercial tax prep software had already been shipped.

FORBES: Taxpayers' Biggest Problem? Congress, Says Report

Kurt DelBene, president of the Microsoft Office Division, said in an interview with Forbes that he thinks that within 10 years, the bulk of Office users will buy the software via a subscription, rather in the traditional shrink-wrapped format.

FORBES: Microsoft: Subscription-Based Version Of Office Debuts

Like Salesforce.com , RightNow aimed to sell its customer relationship management (CRM) software as a low-maintenance, Web-based service, not a shrink-wrapped product.

FORBES: Beltway Bet: RightNow Technologies