14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft had debuted the past week an initiative to handout free copies of Windows Vista Business and Microsoft Office Professional 2007. Via "The Power Together Campaign", users had to simply sign in and participate in a minimum of three web casts and/or virtual lab sessions on the website related to the two products. Viewing either the web casts or the virtual lab sessions was mandatory in order to qualify for the prizes.
And Microsoft's campaign was a veritable success. Since the news about the initiative broke out on November 28, the Power Together website was flooded with traffic. In fact, just two days later, Microsoft shut down the Power Together Campaign, as the website registered the subscription number 30,000.
The Redmond Company announced from the get go that there were certain limitations associated with the initiative. First off, the campaign was only opened to United States participants. Two other restrictions involved the volume of giveaways. Initially, Microsoft planned to stretch the promotion until February 28, 2007. That's three more months. But the software giant did inform of a limited number of free full licenses of Vista and Office 2007.
And in fact, the stock was "sold out" in just three days. The Power Together website at the time of this article has "Sold Out" messages over the initial offerings of free Vista and Office 2007. Adjacently, there is a message from Microsoft: "We're sorry, there are no more gifts available. There are still plenty of things to explore and to learn about Windows Vista. Enter now to learn more! Already Registered? If you have already registered for the Vista Campaign, selected a gift and are eligible to receive the free gift, please continue to watch your webcasts to complete the requirements for your free Windows Vista Business."
"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," stated a Microsoft representative.