Microsoft reaches limit on Vista, Office giveaway

By Hurmoth
in Back Page News

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Grand Master

Hurmoth

Posted
Posted
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.

souricon.gif News Source: CNET News.com

Grand Master

macrosslover

Posted
Posted

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.

Grand Master

jimbo11883

Posted
Posted

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.

Proficient

kingroach

Posted
Posted
"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?

Community Regular

Code

Posted
Posted

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.

Grand Master

crimsonhead

Posted
Posted
"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

Proficient

Justin-

Posted
Posted
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. :)

Grand Master

cyoung1616

Posted
Posted

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

Rookie

Martin Q Blank

Posted
Posted

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:

Grand Master

Southern Patriot

Posted
Posted

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.

Enthusiast

dorimcheon

Posted
Posted

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! :)

Grand Master

Shof

Posted
Posted
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

Grand Master

xxdesmus

Posted
Posted (edited)

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 by xxdesmus
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