Guy Complains To Microsoft, Gets Free Windows 7 Party Pack
If Microsoft is serious about getting people to host wild, enthusiastic Windows 7 parties, the company should get potential hosts psyched up the way it did this guy who lives in the Caribbean.
The anonymous blogger sent out an EECB to Microsoft complaining that his territory was ineligible for Windows 7 party packs, and was rewarded with the object of his desire. He writes:
A very courteous email arrived explaining reasons why the Caribbean region was not covered in the promotion. The official line was a mixed bag but was satisfactory although ultimately disappointing. I was not expecting to be graciously offered a USA Party Pack for gratis though! I submitted my delivery details as requested and sure enough today I received a giant box from Microsoft the contents of which you can see in my unboxing pictures below.
The goodies are actually very nice, especially the Windows 7 tote bags, perfect for the Cayman Islands for the beach! Also included were Windows 7 branded napkins, a puzzle pack; the pieces come together to form a wallpaper image from Windows 7. There was also a pack of Windows 7 playing cards, a colour poster and of course the piece de resistance, a FULL copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition (Steve Ballmer Signature Edition). What I was not expecting though was the Anytime Upgrade to Ultimate Signature 64 bit edition. A nice bonus!
As they say, ain't no party like a Microsoft party, cause a Microsoft party don't stop. If you want in on this action, apply here.
Windows 7 Party Pack Unboxed! [StuffIWrote]
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Comments:
Well done, Microsoft. Well done.
I think I need to send them an EECB since I attended one of their New Efficiency seminars and only received a copy of the 32 bit versions, to use all of my system resources I need the 64bit....I've called sent in questions through their website and tried live chat with there reps......
I cant wait to get mine !
still waiting for mine too. but steve ballmer, why not the all mighty Mr. gates?
still waiting on mine to show up!
There is something about Windows 7 branded napkins that makes me giggle. Does Ubuntu have napkins? I THINK NOT
Will they have Windows 7 airplane-style sickness bags?
Why would anyone want Steve Ballmer's signature?
@Willow01: Or you could just download the ISO for the 64 bit version, since the serial number is universal.
I'm sad! They're no longer accepting host applications for the USA! :( I can't get my party pack either.
Party packs are expected to arrive around the 10th. Now we know what's in them.
@linkura: It's a Steve Ballmer Signature of Throwing, gives +5 to any d20 roll involving throwing objects such as chairs.
@Dafrety: I could, but I don't have a MSDN account. And I really don't want to download it from torrents. Considering the hash file may not be the same as mine. I already thought of that.
@zburnham: At first I read your comment as "naked people -> Napkins" like "Naked people lead to napkins".
Perhaps today IS a good day to schedule an eye appointment.
@psm321: He works part time on pet projects of his, but he is no longer part of the day to day operations.
I'm not sure if it is right to send an EECB to complain about why the area I live is not covered by certain promotion.
EECB is a powerful tool and I still believe that it should only be used in extreme case.
How did i not hear about the launch party packs including a free version of 7 Ultimate damn i would had one just to get that.
...Damn. I wish I knew about this. I wasn't considering upgrading to Windows 7, but when 'Free' was mentioned, my ears perked up. Oh well. Maybe next time.
I can't wait for Windows 7, simply to avoid the misery that is Vista.
Assume the party position. . .
@SteveBMD: I hate to disappoint, but Windows 7 at its core is Vista. The only significant changes that the user will notice (other than some "eye candy" is that Windows 7 is a bit more efficient and lighterweight than Vista.
If you tried Vista and had problems with drivers or incompatability, Windows 7 will likely not fix that.
Having run Vista for over a year now, I have only experienced one minor problem that was due to pood coding on the part of Adobe that required one application of their CS3 suite to run in administrator mode. 2 clicks and the problem was solved.
The top 10 Windows 7 release party activities that you can enjoy (apologies in advance to David Letterman):
* Pin the tail on the Ballmer
* Simon says "UAC needs your permission to continue"
* Monopoly
* Your files in a haystack
* Twenty clippy questions
* Musical thrown chairs
* Darl McBride pinata
* Red Light, Green Light, Blue Screen
* DRM may I?
* Phone Home Scruples
ugh, why couldn't you post this when the US was still eligible.
Windows 7 is slick as hell, but the complaints against Vista (especially if you're running 64-bit w/ 8 gigs of 667MHz DDR3) are insanely exaggerated.
It's an excellent OS.
If you apply to host a party and are accepted, how do they know you actually hosted a party? I'd imagine there are some less than honest people out there who would try it just to get their hands on a free copy of yet another Windows OS. (You guessed it - I'm a Linux guy.)
@Rachacha: You couldn't be more wrong. Have you tried the Release candidate or the beta? They are VERY much different and a huge upgrade over vista. Everyone will enjoy 7 way more than they did Vista, I guarantee it.
@eddieck: You will get an email if you are actually approved. Not everyone who applied got approved to get a party pack.
@gqcarrick: I would actually have to agree. I tried the RC and it was worlds better than Vista. It detected my hardware without me having to install anything. It ran faster, looked better, and used less resources.
However, my heart still belongs to Linux, and I couldn't find anything in Win7 that I can't do in Linux. In fact I can do more and still use less resources. So I won't be switching yet.
@Kyin: I can do plenty in Windows that I can't even begin to understand in Linux and I am a IT guy by trade. I just find it funny that everyone makes a big deal out of a new feature in linux that Windows has had for years and years.
@Oranges w/ Cheese ontopofBrocolli: Seconded. I'm fairly tech savvy, yet somehow totally missed the boat on this whole host thing. I think I've just been so busy that I've been largely getting to /. and hitting "Mark All as Read" in my Google Reader these days. Sigh.
Great! Sell that crap on eBay and buy a Mac!
DOWn, baby, DOWn!
@gqcarrick: What do you have problems with in Linux? If you're genuinely interested in learning I would be happy to help you out.
As for the comment about Linux features that Windows has had for years. It is actually quite the opposite. Linux had a compositing window manager long before Vista ever arrived on the scene. I really can't think of any changes or additions to Windows other than the new eyecandy, and UAC.
Oh yeah, UAC. A poor copy of Unix permissions. Instead of entering a password to make system wide changes you just click OK. Twelve times. In fact, most of the 'new' features of Windows 7 have been available in Linux for a long time.
I suppose if Windows ever starts using virtual desktops you'll say Linux stole that too.
Like I said, if you want to know how to do the things you say you have trouble with I'm happy to help. If you want a start an OS war, well, I just may oblige there too. Long as there are no casualties. =-)
KilgoreTrout_XL,
Thank you for your support of Windows 7! Have you pre-ordered your copy of Win 7 yet? If you are planning on purchasing Windows 7 when it is released it may be helpful to know you don't have to wait to reserve your copy of Win 7! You can pre-order your copy of Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional today. For more information, see the Windows 7 Pre-Order offer page here: [tinyurl.com]
Also, if you are currently a student you may qualify for the $30 upgrade to Windows 7. For more information, please go here: [tinyurl.com]
Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team
I complained to Microsoft about Vista, hoping to get a free W7. I was ignored.
I was told I would be receiving my pack so I am just waiting for it to arrive.