Comments on: Microsoft’s Giveaways Cause Quite a Stir

By: Chris R.

Chris R. — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 20:27:58 +0000

I see nothing wrong with Microsoft or the bloggers involved. Nobody is using any type of involuntary force here.

I also think that the big hub-bub had a lot to do with the fact that it was Microsoft who was involved. Lots of people love to hate Mister Softie.

By: tito

tito — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 01:50:01 +0000

You should keep it.

By: waghdude

waghdude — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 23:49:03 +0000

It’s easy for many of us to say they see no issue with this, but that’s because our blogging reputation is not at stake here.

Reviewing is different than being told that you can keep it. A review unit goes back, a keeping unit stays with you. At least you’re doing the right thing here and not hanging on to this elaborate bribe for personal use.

[joelonsoftware.com] decided not to take them up on this offer, and he also decided to stop running on a server that was offered to him for free. Spolsky announced that from here on in, he’s just going to buy stuff with his own money so that there’s never a hint of any conflict of interest. Of course, he’s not running a blog about gadgets and technology, so it’s not as big a deal for him as it would be for this blog.

By: netster007x

netster007x — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:12:30 +0000

Wow, I really like Robert McLaws’ reaction, funny but pretty true. I don’t see anything morally offensive here, It’s the same thing as news channels getting a test Wii to review. Although I have to say, it sounds like a pretty expensive PC to dish out. I trust blogs will rate the Vista OS, and not the PC running it.

I’m not gonna pressure you to give away the PC. Honestly, if MS sent my a PC that good to replace my Celeron processor, integrated graphics, 40GB HD, and 768MB RAM, I’m sure I’d keep it. Although, if you do decide to give it away, I’ll be sure to enter

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 21:55:59 +0000

We’re not quite sure yet. I think it could raise a lot of money selling it on eBay and donating the profits as well, so we’re going to consult with some people and see what they say. At any rate it will be several weeks before anything happens with it because I want to use it to prepare reviews for Vista and Office 2007 in time for the consumer launch.

By: OldManDeath

OldManDeath — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 21:41:28 +0000

So I assume that you will be giving this away via the blog here then?

By: natmaster

natmaster — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:51:31 +0000

You can ‘give it away’ to me, if you like. I’ll be sure to “review” it also.

By: Fx Extension Guru

Fx Extension Guru — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 17:16:12 +0000

I’ve been following this off and on for a bit and I have mixed feelings on this. Microsoft is simply providing a means for those folks to experience Windows Vista in its fullest potential. An opportunity that many wouldn’t have unless they already have high-end machines or the resources to create one.

Sure it sounds like ultimate Payola or pay-for-post, but then is likely more common that we think. I think folks are making much to do over nothing only because Microsoft is involved.

If Microsoft wanted me to write about Windows Vista (as if that would ever happen) the only way I could and would ever do that would be if they were to provide (loan or give-away) me with a computer pre-loaded. My current system can not support Vista and even if it could I am sure heck not going to mess up my current system ‘playing’ with Vista. Sure I do this with Firefox, but the worst that could happen if I screw up Firefox is it won’t start, but at least my system still will.

I do agree with the full discloser though and frankly don’t care what they do with the computer thereafter. This will not change the way I view y’all site, but I do expect to see some more extensive articles about Vista in the future.