Microsoft reaches limit on Vista, Office giveaway

[Hurmoth]

It sounded like a scam: visit this Web site, watch a few videos and get a free copy of Windows Vista or Office 2007.

Actually, the PowerTogether.com site was a legitimate Microsoft-run site. Aimed at software developers and architects, the site offered free copies of both titles to those who watched at least three Web-based seminars on each of the new products.

Unfortunately, for those looking to score their free copy, Microsoft said that it has already received sign-ups from the 30,000 people it had hoped to register for the program. The site now says "sold out" when people come to register for the giveaway.

Those left out in the cold can take some solace. At least they don't have to pay taxes. Those who are getting both the free Office and Vista copies will have to fill out an IRS tax form--and eventually pay Uncle Sam--to get both titles.

"Since the combined retail value of the products is above $600 retail for developers who chose to participate in both offers, the IRS requires Microsoft to have the developers send back a signed W9 form before they receive the second item," a Microsoft representative said.

The site also warns government employees that they should consult their ethics policies before accepting the freebies. Microsoft drew the ire of the Army and some other U.S. agencies in 2004 when it sent free copies of Office to federal workers.

Microsoft started selling Office 2007 and Vista to businesses this week, however the software won't be on retail shelves and new PCs until January.

News Source: CNET News.com

[macrosslover]

wow 30,000 seems a pretty small number considering the amount of people who i'm sure tryed it out (not complaining just stating). if they did 15k for each one wow I hope I got a copy of Office 2007 in time.

[jimbo11883]

This is bull****! I signed up for this before I heard about it on Neowin, and the site was so busy that I couldn't watch the webcasts or participate in the virtual labs. Now I come back and they say I can't get a free Office copy. Oh well, wasn't gonna buy it anyway. Vista either. Too expensive.

[hapbt]

I signed up to receive a free Vista RC1 cd and never got it!!

Microsoft owes me a free VLK, IMO.

[kingroach]

"Since the combined retail value of the products is above $600 retail for developers who chose to participate in both offers, the IRS requires Microsoft to have the developers send back a signed W9 form before they receive the second item," a Microsoft representative said.

what does this mean?.. MS will send you either vista/office and a W9 form. when you send back the form, it will send you the other item?

[Lasker]

lucky me I was able to signed and soon I will receive my free Vista!!! ;) I will give it to my father-in-law as his christmas gift :)

[Code]

This is bull****! I signed up for this before I heard about it on Neowin, and the site was so busy that I couldn't watch the webcasts or participate in the virtual labs. Now I come back and they say I can't get a free Office copy. Oh well, wasn't gonna buy it anyway. Vista either. Too expensive.

If you signed up already on the site, I believe you can still watch the webcasts and you can still have a copy.

[crimsonhead]

"Since the combined retail value of the products is above $600 retail for developers who chose to participate in both offers, the IRS requires Microsoft to have the developers send back a signed W9 form before they receive the second item," a Microsoft representative said.

Tax Free Vista!

Screw office

[zerolimit]

I signed up to receive a free Vista RC1 cd and never got it!!

Microsoft owes me a free VLK, IMO.

I got a rc1 key you want it? doesn't do you any good.

i got my free vista copy hopefully in a month!

[L3thal Veteran]

Tax free Office for me :D

I can get Vista from work :p

[Emon]

I am getting vista ultimate because I am a beta tester. And I have also finished watching those webcasts .. so I am getting vista business and office 2007 for free !! :D

[Justin-]

Unfortunately, for those looking to score their free copy, Microsoft said that it has already received sign-ups from the 30,000 people it had hoped to register for the program. The site now says "sold out" when people come to register for the giveaway.

Is this just people who signed up, or who actually finished watching all the videos? I've not watched them all yet, but I've downloaded 3 of them to watch when I have time. Hopefully it's for this, because not everyone has 3 or 4 hours to just sit and watch videos. :p

I'm hoping to get Office. I already have Vista coming. :)

[obsolete_power]

Too bad I am not american. I could have had the complete suite (Windows Vista Ultimate and Office 2007) :( Oh well, at least I got Vista for free :D

[cyoung1616]

It's sad a bunch of geeks took atvantage of this, keeping several small business people who really need to use it to test their software. Just glad the company I work for was big enough to get it from Microsoft through our Enterprise agreement. Hope the freeloaders enjoy it.

Cody

[Martin Q Blank]

This is bull****! I signed up for this before I heard about it on Neowin, and the site was so busy that I couldn't watch the webcasts or participate in the virtual labs. Now I come back and they say I can't get a free Office copy. Oh well, wasn't gonna buy it anyway. Vista either. Too expensive.

Then you would have nothing to complain/whine about, eh? Sounds like sour grapes over an Ebay sale lost :laugh:

[Southern Patriot]

Is this just people who signed up, or who actually finished watching all the videos? I've not watched them all yet, but I've downloaded 3 of them to watch when I have time. Hopefully it's for this, because not everyone has 3 or 4 hours to just sit and watch videos. :p

I'm hoping to get Office. I already have Vista coming. :)

Am I the only person who realized that you can simply start the video playing, put it on 3x fast forward, and go about your business doing other things while it plays for 20 minutes or so, then go back and start another one after it changes from "in progress" to "pending"? I can't possibly be the only one who figured this out. :no: Basically, I did the requirements for each in just a few hours when I would have been on the computer anyway. One of them I left running when I went to bed last night.

[strekship]

I actually watched the ones i signed up for because i found them to be interesting. I learned alot about the new XML file stuff.

[dorimcheon]

It's sad a bunch of geeks took atvantage of this, keeping several small business people who really need to use it to test their software. Just glad the company I work for was big enough to get it from Microsoft through our Enterprise agreement. Hope the freeloaders enjoy it.

Cody

Thanks! :)

[Shof]

Those left out in the cold can take some solace. At least they don't have to pay taxes. Those who are getting both the free Office and Vista copies will have to fill out an IRS tax form--and eventually pay Uncle Sam--to get both titles.

Atlest they still have to pay for it

[amrinders87]

I will be getting my copy. :D

[xxdesmus]

It's not like taxes are going to be that much anyways guys.... but yes, one tax free is still nice :yes:

[nosracnoj]

how much do you think the tax will be?

[xxdesmus]

I took a rough guess/estimate of a total price of $800 for both Office and for Vista ... and sales tax here where I am are roughly 8%, and that came to $64 ... so perhaps I am doing something horribly wrong, but $64 is not bad for Vista and Office :whistle:

Edited December 2, 2006 by xxdesmus

[L3thal Veteran]

Just received confirmation of me getting Office 2007 :D

[amrinders87]

Just received confirmation of me getting Office 2007 :D

Did you get an email or something?