Microsoft Hastily Ends 'Privacy for Free Software' Promotion

[zekrahminator]

People hoping to jump on the Windows Vista bandwagon without paying a cent of hard-earned cash jumped for joy when Microsoft offered free software in exchange for the occasional survey and three months of observation. As of December 11th, anyone who was signing up for the program got a nasty surprise: no more free software. Microsoft is of course welcoming more test subjects to be monitored. However, Microsoft will not be giving these subjects anything in return for their time and privacy, except a marginally better product in a few years.

Anyone who signed up after the cut-off date date and time under the idea they were getting a free piece of software worth $400USD or more MSRP will be sorely disappointed. There is no word as to whether or not Microsoft plans on honoring the people who signed up before the cut-off.

Source: DailyTech (http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Cuts+Privacy+For+Software+Program/article9982.htm)

[freaksavior]

i signed up on the 10th but got the e-mail on the 11th.....so am i still in it or not?

[laszlo]

just wonder...maybe they have enough private information from all scanned computers already and of course access to them?

[Kreij]

However, Microsoft will not be giving these subjects anything in return for their time and privacy, except a marginally better product in a few years.


How do you know it won't be a vastly better product?
Do I detect a little bias showing there, Zek ? :D

[jpierce55]

I signed up on the 11th but let me select Vista for my free gift. I better get it!

[Arrakis+9]

I signed up on the 11th but let me select Vista for my free gift. I better get it!

they cut it off at 2pm EST on the 11th i belive..

[PVTCaboose1337]

That was stupid. Now people think they will get it free, but they won't.

[jpierce55]

they cut it off at 2pm EST on the 11th i belive..

I signed up about 5:00 but the selection to choose the gift was still there.

[AddSub]

Another marketing scam. Microsoft's propaganda department will jump on this as a way to show that Vista IS indeed popular, when in reality many people would wrestle man-eating alligators for a chance of getting a free cheeseburger at their local fast food joint. I'm sure Apple, Dell, and marketing departments of other mega-corps are taking notes.

[lemonadesoda]

Why is the promotion called 'Privacy for Free Software' ?

Isn't a more honest description: "Loose your Privacy, and get free trialware" ?

The marketing (I mean propaganda) department have been up to their usual disingenuous tricks again.

[wazzledoozle]

Microsoft is going to get sued over this if they start telling people that they don't get free software by retroactively instating a cutoff date/time. That is a classic scam called bait and switch, and it's illegal.

If you pressed "agree" while it was still showing you get Vista in compensation, then they can either continue the monitoring and give you Vista, or cancel the monitoring and the Vista compensation.

Microsoft is trying to have their cake and eat it too.

[TXcharger]

i like this

basically if you cheat microsoft they will cheat you!

i got my copy for $29, the university of texas school systems made a deal with microsoft :)

[zekrahminator]

How do you know it won't be a vastly better product?
Do I detect a little bias showing there, Zek ? :D

You can't re-make Windows based sheerly on user feedback ;).

If Microsoft really wanted to change Windows, that's their thing to do. User feedback can guide them in the right direction, but it's ultimately Microsoft's job to make a better OS.

[Rodster]

Does anyone have a link so we can email Microsoft in case they renig on their deal?

[erocker]

Does anyone think this was aimed directly at "pirates" to get some info?

[imperialreign]

MS doesn't need to retrive secure info from your computer for feedback - all they need to do is start up their own BBS, hire a team of 'editors' to wade through the BS, and go from there.

You want my feedback, MS?! I want a damn coffee maker integrated with my OS, so I can wake up to some fresh Folgers while checkin' e-mail!

[zaqwsx]

I signed up on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 6:44 am, dose that mean I still get it because if I don't i think there is going to be a lawsuit over all this. LOL

[Joshmcmillan]

If I say yes to being a U.S resident, even though I'm in Australia, what will happen?

[devguy]

i like this

basically if you cheat microsoft they will cheat you!

i got my copy for $29, the university of texas school systems made a deal with microsoft :)

Ahh, a fellow UT student. I bought XP pro x64 from them at the beginning of this calendar year. I do find it odd though that even though Vista has been out since January, UT still has Vista x64 ETA as TBA. Although I got in on this on the 10th, so I hope I get it for free. Vista Ultimate is crap for over $50, but for free, I may decide to do some DirectX10 gaming after all... (dual boot of course)

[Steevo]

Join at connect and you will usally get free crap.

Depending on what you do, you can get free software, and other stupid gifts.



Server 08, Sharepoint 07, Visual Studio 08.

I borrowed the spare 400Gb drive from work to install and see what I think.