Microsoft Offers Free Windows Vista Ultimate if you Surrender Privacy

SiNXation 12-13-2007

Need a free copy of Windows Vista Ultimate? Are you incredibly trusting of big corporations? Well I have the deal for you, with a new program through Microsoft called the Windows Feedback Program. For the small price of privacy and perhaps some dignity, you can let Microsoft watch your every move for 3 months, in return for some software of your choice. Surveys are also required, one at the start, and then another in 2 week intervals, but compared to the bigger issue those are pretty painless. Some might find this to be an excellent deal, with software prices high, and cost of your free time to be almost nothing at all.

Requirements:

• Participation is currently limited to US residents of 18 years and older.
• You are the owner of the computer you use for this program.
• The automated feedback program is offered to Windows Vista and Windows XP customers only.
• The survey feedback program applies to all versions of Windows.
• Microsoft, comScore, and MarketTools employees are not eligible to participate.

What's Free?

• Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit and 64-bit DVD)
• Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007
• Microsoft Money Plus Premium
• Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium 2008
• Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008

I really don’t know how I feel about this program, since my privacy is worth quite a bit. Will they be tracking websites I go to, software I use, content I post on websites? In a world where spyware software exists to calm the ever increasing paranoid attitude of the public, how would a program like this be treated by the masses? While I am fairly confident that my online security is safe with Microsoft (credit cards, etc) do I really want to put my digital life on the line for the small price of one software product? Well … if it was a free $4,500 WoW XPS M1730 notebook maybe. But for a free copy of $350 software, I think I'll pass.

Updates

We have recently discovered that yesterday afternoon (12/11/07) Microsoft took away the freebie part of this offer (the software). However, Microsoft is still running the survey and 3-month feedback program. This means anyone who signed up after the cutoff is still going to be monitored, but recieve nothing in return for the forfeit of privacy. Microsoft apparently thinks your privacy isn't worth anything now.

SamiJo

I wouldn't do that for free software, I don't like the idea of being monitered by companies as far as things I do on the web. now as for the people that signed up and are getting monitered for nothing, thats pretty shitty. I'd be pissed and withdraw from it...if thats possible.

Dream

Bust Vista already is monitor my microsoft its just with this they legally get more infomation from people instead of their usual ways. Vista isn't worth using anyway and they just trying to find everything they can do to make everyone want to use it.

Ice

That's alot of good software for many computer geeks out there but I wouldn't go for it just becuase its Vista. If it was XP I would proably atleast think about it.

Hsoolien

I'd have done it for the testing aspect on a second computer, I dont' really care what they know of what I do.

Jessica

I think it just depends on things. Like emails and stuff to your friend and thinks if they personal you wouldn't want all that going over there but where you browseto isn't a big deal. Well unless you Dream and Spawnschick sharing their sexy and nude pics back and forth.

Raven

Actually they did that for XP. That's how Sin got bout 10 copies of XP. All you had to do was go to some seminar that lastedt for an hour or two and then they gave your windows XP proffesional and visual C++studio or something like that.

SamiJo

so I now have vista...once I got everything up and running it prompts you before you download anything asking if you really want to download it...then once its there it prompts you again to run it and install it asking if you are really sure you want to do it. Also it asks you if certain things can have access to run properly. well sneaky microsoft I guess is assuming that people wont read everything that it says when it pops up and just click okay when it askes if vista has permission to access your computer and under the company it says the microsoft company.

Well it was basically them asking if they could track my usage, now I said no...whether that made a difference - I dunno but either way I said no.

Dream

No it doesn't make really that much of a difference, atleast to me its not alot of difference but that depends on your definition of alot.

Raven

Sami I think it only stops reporting bugs and crashes from your system. Basically only stop the things you may actually want to send to them lol.

SamiJo

well thats about right, oh well

bigdaddy730

Has anybody tried this? If so, what experience did you have?

Nina

Great news for those of you enrolled in Microsoft's Windows Feedback Program. In exchange for giving Microsoft access to your computing habits for the last 3 months, your free copy of Windows Vista Ultimate, Office Ultimate '07, Money Plus Premium, Encarta Premium or Streets and Trips (depending upon your enrollment selection) should be delivered in the next 4 to 6 weeks. Oh sure, the price for the most popular choice -- Vista Ultimate -- has dropped $80 since you flittered away your privacy. It's not like the MyFaceSpaceBook types have anything left to hide anyway. And free is free no matter the cost, right?

Dream

So basically we get to sell the copies they send us. I guess an extra $200 wont hurt.

Raven

Yes mam, that's what I'll be doing. Might as well make some money off it.