Global Windows 7 Launch Party

OK so I got an email from Microsoft telling me that I could host a Windows 7 launch party, so I figured it was a waste of time I would never win - they said it was because I have installed the RC of Windows 7 and the Beta before that and reported bugs before that via msdn - I downloaded 12 copies of the RC and installed all of them and even filled out the thingies on the computers to tell MS how I like the OS - so they asked me about previous versions of Windows I own so I listed them off (I have all version ever except for the Vista ones, only Ultimate and Home Premium), about 3 days latter I got an email asking me to include the key code for my Windows Vista Ultimate retail edition I got (I won a contest at work and they were giving it away, there is no way I would pay full price for that) so I did that and instantly got a link to a msdn page where I could download Windows 7 Ultimate RTM (gold, final build released to computer manufactures - not the RC the final version) and it never asked me for a key code, there wasnt one already entered in it just worked without one and a message came up saying "this copy of Windows 7 is for MSDN developers only, no activation is required"


but then I got another email that said I did win and they sent me a box with a bunch of things in it including a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition signed by Steve Balmer (fake signature it us printed on not actually signed)

also in the box was a set of playing cards, napkins, a Windows 7 flying turtle puzzle, 10 large pretty high quality bags so guests can cary out there stuff, a huge poster, balloons, streamers (red, green, blue, yellow - Microsoft colors), and a bunch of promotional cards for free Zune songs and other software

has anyone else won this?

zrtom said:

Two Special Offers for Launch Party Hosts Available Now
Did anyone get this email today from houseparty? One of the offers is for Norton Internet Security 2010 which leads to a link to the trial download but somewhere in there it mentions that a key will be emailed to party hosts which will activate the product beyond the trial period.

I'm not really trying to start a debate over NIS2010, but I was curious whether anyone tried the link and got a key and whether the key is for a full year or like just a couple months.
Tom

I just got the email today, so I installed NIS2010 to try it out, when I get the key I'm not sure if I'll keep norton or not. Depends on how it behaves between now and then.

Antman said:

I did the dance to get the key. Add this delay in providing the key to my list of reasons to dislike Symantec.

I have no intention of using their product(s) on a machine I own or control.

+1 They lost me at Norton AntiVirus 2005 which should win a razzy as one of the WORST products ever inflicted on the consumer. I feel ripped off to this day an will run anything to avoid their products on any machines I support or own....ever.

bobtran said:

Antman said:

I did the dance to get the key. Add this delay in providing the key to my list of reasons to dislike Symantec.

I have no intention of using their product(s) on a machine I own or control.

+1 They lost me at Norton AntiVirus 2005 which should win a razzy as one of the WORST products ever inflicted on the consumer. I feel ripped off to this day an will run anything to avoid their products on any machines I support or own....ever.

Not going to start an argument, but companies DO learn from there mistakes, look at MS for example. They've become more open with the consumers and are starting to make great products.

I feel that people are unjustly treating Norton like crap, they made a mistake, move on and get over it. So far NIS2010 is running really well on my system (as you can see its not the best system out there in terms of specs).

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