Office 2003 beta gift

[xpfreak]

hey maybe they'll send us an email with the link to download this great office suite :laugh:

[tomwarren Veteran]

Redmondian that's precisely why Microsoft shouldn't appoint those like yourself to test their products. Instead of submitting 50 bug reports a week most testers submit a few and then think they deserve some kind of present for it. They asked you to test, although you're doing them a favour they have no reason to send out a present to say thank you. Just because you've tested a product it doesn't mean you deserve the full edition of it for free, you should be happy you can say you were part of the testing process for such a high level product.

[Chris123NT]

Redmondian that's precisely why Microsoft shouldn't appoint those like yourself to test their products. Instead of submitting 50 bug reports a week most testers submit a few and then think they deserve some kind of present for it. They asked you to test, although you're doing them a favour they have no reason to send out a present to say thank you. Just because you've tested a product it doesn't mean you deserve the full edition of it for free, you should be happy you can say you were part of the testing process for such a high level product.

While I agree with you to a point the issue also has to be addressed that people who went to the Office 2003 Launches here in the US all got a free copy of the FULL version, it wasn't an eval. I think Redmondian's point is that we beta testers did the work so why do we get nothing when people who do nothing and go to a launch to watch a presentation get a full copy of it? I mean come on Bill's speech can't be THAT unbearable.

[tomwarren Veteran]

While I agree with you to a point the issue also has to be addressed that people who went to the Office 2003 Launches here in the US all got a free copy of the FULL version, it wasn't an eval. I think Redmondian's point is that we beta testers did the work so why do we get nothing when people who do nothing and go to a launch to watch a presentation get a full copy of it? I mean come on Bill's speech can't be THAT unbearable.

Yeah I guess so, but the people that went to launches generally are going to look at the product and intend to buy multiple copies of it. They aren't guys who just use the Guest ID from Neowin, get lucky and never intend on buying the product let alone buying multiple copies. I don't mean to offend anyone but as it stands the majority of Beta testers for Microsoft products are poor at what they do. I went to the London press launch and we recieved free copies too but I also plan to purchase multiple copies for where I work so a free copy doesn't really matter to me. There are the minority that submit loads of bugs and who have been testers for a long period of time (not 50xxx or 40xxx testers) who do deserve a copy. Most of the bugs that are caught are from OEMs and corps who are rolling out the applications to servers/workstations on multiple configurations. I guess we'll see if MS does give out full copies, only time will tell.

[Redmondian]

While I agree with you to a point the issue also has to be addressed that people who went to the Office 2003 Launches here in the US all got a free copy of the FULL version, it wasn't an eval. I think Redmondian's point is that we beta testers did the work so why do we get nothing when people who do nothing and go to a launch to watch a presentation get a full copy of it? I mean come on Bill's speech can't be THAT unbearable.

Exactly! That was the point I was making.

And for creamhackered who didn't read my previous posts - I have a licensed / original copy of Office 2003 already. I do not want it for free. The reason I was upset was outlined quite clearly in my post. Re: Go to launch, get free software.

Thank you

[cannhawk]

Windows 98 = gift Full Version

Windows 98 SE = gift Full Version

Windows ME = gift Full Version

Windows XP = gift Full Version

Windows 2003 server = gift Full Version

MSN 8 = gift Full Version + 6 months

Office 2000 = gift Full Version

Office XP = gift Full Version

Map Point 2002 = gift Full Version, CPP Full Version

Map Point 2004 = gift Full Version

CPP / Launch Office 2003 = gift Full Version

OFFICE 2003 Beta tester = GIFT $ 5.00 CRAP RADIO

Edited November 25, 2003 by cannhawk

[Redmondian]

Yeah I guess so, but the people that went to launches generally are going to look at the product and intend to buy multiple copies of it. They aren't guys who just use the Guest ID from Neowin, get lucky and never intend on buying the product let alone buying multiple copies. I don't mean to offend anyone but as it stands the majority of Beta testers for Microsoft products are poor at what they do. I went to the London press launch and we recieved free copies too but I also plan to purchase multiple copies for where I work so a free copy doesn't really matter to me. There are the minority that submit loads of bugs and who have been testers for a long period of time (not 50xxx or 40xxx testers) who do deserve a copy. Most of the bugs that are caught are from OEMs and corps who are rolling out the applications to servers/workstations on multiple configurations. I guess we'll see if MS does give out full copies, only time will tell.

creamhackered, I am a beta tester with id 3***** and I work my guts out. I can assure you.

But because I work for a very large government agency, and since they choose to license Microsoft software the way they do; I get Office 2003 and am licensed to use it at home. So I am not after a give away of free software. However, having said that; there are a number of hard working beta testers that are not as fortunate as I and deserve more than what they got as a reward.

Just my 2c worth.

[jonovate]

i didnt beta test, but from all the 14 pages i read while waiting for my hot chocolate to cool off... i came to the following assumptions:

a) you assumed, that since in previous versions you got the full version, you would be getting it this year. Office XP Pro costed what, $300 CAD? Office 2003 Pro/whatver is costing $550CAD... thats a big price jump... which means BillyG+Team feel like since you went to that effort to beta test the bugs, you think this is the best version of office to date, and you would want to purchase it?

now from my pov, a non-beta tester, this screwed MS in 2 ways:

i. Beta testers (emphasis on testers, not slackers, even tho the slackers as well) will turn to a pirated copy, feeling this is a reward for their efforts.

ii. MS probably lost those beta testers who feel their work went unnoticed (referring to those at the launch getting free). [/boycott next release by not beta testing]

b) i'll take the radio if you don't want it.

c) if you want a reward, apply at MS for a job (QA?)

[Redmondian]

Windows 98 = gift Full Version

Windows 98 SE = gift Full Version

Windows ME = gift Full Version

Windows XP = gift Full Version

Windows 2003 server = gift Full Version

MSN 8 = gift Full Version + 6 months

Office 2000 = gift Full Version

Office XP = gift Full Version

Map Point 2002 = gift Full Version, CPP Full Version

Map Point 2004 = gift Full Version

OFFICE 2003 = GIFT $ 5.00 CRAP RADIO

Sounds to me like another 3***** beta tester that's been around for a long time, has worked hard (I assume) and got something that can only be described as a token gift. :|

[cannhawk]

Sounds to me like another 3***** beta tester that's been around for a long time, has worked hard (I assume) and got something that can only be described as a token gift. :|

Yes I been around for a long time busting my A55 and got them as token gifts for my and many beta testers hard work. I'm a self employed Tech and System builder.

I don't give a rat a** about the gift but the way M$ office team don't care about the beta tester

[Chris123NT]

Yes I been around for a long time busting my A55 and got them as token gifts for my and many beta testers hard work. I'm a self employed Tech and System builder.

I don't give a rat a** about the gift but the way M$ office team don't care about the beta tester

Exactly, the gift really doesn't matter to me. Hell i would rather they send nothing instead of this.....thing. Its a real slap in the face to all of us who worked so hard. I personally submitted 20+ bugs a week through the whole beta.

[Emon]

hey maybe they'll send us an email with the link to download this great office suite  :laugh:

http://www.openoffice.org/banners/ooo-1.1-...suite-right.png

u r joking right ? coz I got a different e-mail .. here's a copy of it ..

[cal2002]

ok, for all of u who just care about the gift for getting software months before the general public, get over it. The idea of beta testing is not to get stuff for free. Its for helping Microsoft make their product better. I look at it as making something better that i end up spending my hard earned money.

[cannhawk]

send emal to - [email protected]

[heslo]

Well, not the gift that I was expecting but hey, what can you do? All I can say is I was glad to be a part of the beta since the very beginning. On a sidenote Redmondian, I'm from Adelaide too, guess we'll have to wait a while for the gift to reach our shores

[AJerman]

As creamhackered said, if you assume you are going to get a free full version, or expect to get it, then you dont deserve to beta test for them. MS should blacklist you from any further betas. Guess what, there are PLENTY of other people out there that would take anyones spot without complaining and expecting to get free software. Also, as creamhackered said, the people that go to launches are 90% of the time people that are the IT heads of their company and are there to possibly buy it. I am a 4***** tester, so I haven't been around as some people have, but that makes no difference, I beta test for MS just to be able to play with the software for free, be able to say I had a positive impact on the final result, and because I like doing it. I have never once expected to get the final version free. I think I should, if anyone, pay for it, because I have already used the software for free for the past several months. The people who complain about what gift they get, are the people that don't deserve to test. You need to remember that beta testing is your privilage to MS, not your right.

[Redmondian]

Well, not the gift that I was expecting but hey, what can you do? All I can say is I was glad to be a part of the beta since the very beginning. On a sidenote Redmondian, I'm from Adelaide too, guess we'll have to wait a while for the gift to reach our shores

heslo I really hope they didn't send the gift by surface mail, like they sent the beta2 kits. It took about 3 weeks for them to arrive here in Adelaide. :unsure:

[cyclingplatypus]

You guys who are complaining about a free gift you got are hilarious...you volunteer to beta test and then bitch and moan when the company you test for shows their gratitude. BFD it wasn't a full copy of Office 2003. You still got to do something many of us didn't get to do and wanted to. For months you got on here and slammed the software even though it was a beta and then you get p/o'd that software that you bitched about from a company you constantly bitch about didn't give you a full copy. And then to top it all off the next beta test that they offer you'll probably get in on and start the cycle all over again. Do a favor for those of us who weren't selected beta test it and don't sign up to beta test again. :angry:

[cannhawk]

THEN MICROSOFT SUCH NOT SEND EMAILS SAID THEY WILL BE SENDING OUT "GIFTS" TO TECH BETA TESTER

This is what Microsoft such said & put in all of there beta testing programs Dear Beta Tester you will not get any kind of Gifts for testing this or any software programs from Microsoft. You will have to buy it. If you don't AGREE with this statement please do not sign up or Beta test this or any of Microsoft programs.

My 2 cents

[heslo]

heslo I really hope they didn't send the gift by surface mail, like they sent the beta2 kits. It took about 3 weeks for them to arrive here in Adelaide. :unsure:

Yes, that was a pain, I was waiting and waiting. In the end, I thought it was lost and mailed MS about it but they confirmed it was still en route

[Redmondian]

Microsoft have a habit of taking communities like the MVP's and Tech Beta Testers to the brink and then reviving those communities after they realise how important they were to them.

Remember MSFT pretty much shut down the MVP group, and all of a sudden; bingo.. You're important to us.

Same with the treatment of the Tech Beta Testers, we don't get rewarded justly for our efforts, many leave (sour taste remains).. Microsoft will one day realise that they're approach through the Office 11 beta was unfair to the Tech Beta community and offer us more carrots to bring us to love them again.

[dougkinzinger]

I don't see what the big deal is, it's just a certificate/pen or something silly. They might give out full copies but no-one knows atm. Thing is, who cares :s?

Right on.

[cannhawk]

Not all Beta tester are company tester or work for big a** companys. Over the years some tester got lay off or lost there jops and even some of them are End-Users. They don't have the company money to pay for it. Maybe they got other bills to pay for and can't pay out $300.00 to $600.00 for it.

I found software that can do the same as office 2003 & Windows

Microsoft lost me as customer & beta tester

[Redmondian]

I have to admit, because of the hurt caused to other beta testers I really don't want to have my Nickname as Redmondian anymore. Got to change it. Something that is more "me" and not what I "do". :|

[KTamas]

Hey, stop flaming! Yeah, i'm annoyed with this 5$ radio too, and I agree cannhawk's posts. I tested Office 11 and 2003 too, and now I will got a crap radio. DON'T THINK THAT I'M TESTING FOR GIFTS! I'M NOT, BUT! I said, i tested Office 11 and 2k3 a lot, and it's unfair from MicroSux.