14 DAY TRIAL // CodeWeavers Inc is offering “free software for every American” tomorrow, October 28, the company announced today. The move is due to the catastrophic cratering of the global economy, falling gas prices and last, but certainly not least, President George W. Bush.
According to an official CodeWeavers report, Bush's recent executive activities have indirectly prompted the software developers to offer their software for free for one whole day. And that day is tomorrow. The company, as some of you may know, is responsible for a great piece of software called CrossOver, which enables you to run Windows apps on your Mac, without the need of a virtual environment like Parallels.
According to the same report, in July, CodeWeavers launched the Great American Lame Duck Presidential Challenge, in an attempt to get President Bush to make the most of his remaining days in office. The software developers said they'd be so thrilled if Bush would accomplish a major economic or political goal by January 20, 2009, that they'd offer all their software for free. Bush was supposed to make specific positive accomplishments in areas such as the economy, home values, the stock market, the war on terror and other key issues, but one goal in particular called for the President to help bring average gasoline prices in the Twin Cities to $2.79 a gallon. Monday, October 14, saw it happen, says the report.
"That morning, I was filling my tank at Big Steve's Gas Palace in St. Paul," said Jeremy White, president and CEO of CodeWeavers. "I had just finished my morning corn dog and 64-ounce Dr. Pepper when I looked at the pump and noticed gas was at $2.79. I screamed ‘Woohoo,’ then I yelled ‘Oh, [expletive]!’ as I realized every American can now have my software for free. Kind of upsets my fourth quarter revenue projections..."
"I launched the campaign to inspire President Bush to make the most of his final days in office. Who knew that our Challenge would have this kind of impact on the country?" White added, admitting this was not how he foresaw the Challenge unfolding. "On the other hand, who knew that the economy would implode, causing oil demand to drop into the abyss and gas prices to plummet as well. Clearly, investigating Bear Stearns, AIG and those guys is misplaced – CodeWeavers is responsible for this mess. So it's free software for all!"
On Tuesday, October 28, 2008, anyone visiting the CodeWeavers' Web site will be given a deal code that will entitle them to one free copy of CrossOver. Each copy comes complete with support.
White said that his company would provide free software in the future, if other Great American Lame Duck Presidential Challenge goals are met. Those goals include:
- Return the stock market to its 2008 high; - Reduce the average price of a gallon of milk to $3.50; - Create at least one net job in the U.S. this calendar year; - Return the median home price to its January 1, 2008 level; - Bring Osama Bin-Laden to justice.
"I realize that by giving away all my software, I've caused horrific damage to my company's bottom line," White said. "In fact, our vice president of sales wretched Starbucks all over his shirt when he learned the news. But, I figure, the way the economy is going, in a few months everyone might be out on the streets, wearing potato sacks and standing in line for squirrel soup, so why not?" White concluded by saying.