Free Microsoft Office Professional 2003, Small Business Edition Server 2003 Premium, or Virtual PC

[Lanyap]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
Ok, just got back from TS2.. Did you guys get a boxed copy of the software??? They gave us a certificate to get it off a website.. That sucks, I wanted to play with Virtual PC TONIGHT!

Certificate.

Please allow 6 - 8 weeks for delivery.

 

[ROTC1983]

Nice, I just signed up Looks to be interesting...its at the Marriott Hotel in Hawaii

 

[JDJr]

Drizzy: I went to the SLC event. When I got there they said it was full too, I didn't want to drive back down the Provo, so I talked to a guy and asked for a single and he got me in. It was a decent seminar, except with all the free soda I had to use the facilities quite a bit. It seems like one presenter is always better then the other (Maybe they are training). They emphasised over and over that you need to be a partner to get the certificate.

I have a SBS server setup and found some of the info useful like how to restart GPO rights from the command line on the fly.

The raffle was for T-Shirts and books. I remember when they had computers and LCDs.

From the people I talked to most of the people there were in the business, I didn't meet anyone who went just for the free software (Although there were a lot of people there and I only talked to a few). There was no free SBS at this seminar, it said so on their slides but he said they were giving that out anymore.

JDJr

 

[jclark]

I was at SLC, too, registered on Tuesday, and had no trouble getting in, but then, I got there at 12:35.

If you had just wanted the s/w, you could have gotten there at 4:45 and just gotten in the line. They didn't ask for any sort of ID other than mumbling "Microsoft Partner?" every so often, and the lines for handing in the survey and picking up the certificates were separate. Plus, a bunch of people left 2/3 of the way through when they scared them off with the "YOU MUST BE A MS PARTNER OR THE CERTIFICATE IS A WORTHLESS PIECE OF PAPER" speech, so there were probably quite a few extra certs available.

They did a pretty good job of demonstrating VPC2k4, and I'm impressed that it was able to run stably run SBS and an XP workstation simultaneously on a single-processor machine. (OK, a single-processor machine with 1.5GB of RAM), something that earlier versions couldn't do so well. The presentation of SBS2k3 was so-so. I was really hoping for an upgrade path in this release. The security presentation was a laughable bit of spin-doctoring. And they did a really poor job of presenting InfoPath. The way they demonstrated it, it looked a poor man's underpowered version of Access. It didn't come off as much easier to use, and seemed far less robust. Of course, I knew it was going to suck when the presenter hyped it with "If I left Microsoft for a private practice, I'd base it entirely around InfoPath."

I've wasted time at much worse presentations and gotten nothing but a pen and a mailbox full of spam for my time, so I can't complain, I suppose.

 

[Drizzy]

jclark
Yeah I went over the information on the dvd they gave me and it was somewhat interesting although a bit dry... it would have been better Im sure with some presentation. I was more than anything annoyed with the fact that I had rescheduled some meetings and taken the time out of my day to go there. Also, who knows if I will ever even hear from microsoft about the free software... from what I've read though, SBS wasnt given out anymore, which I really wanted to try running... I'm sure that the list they had us sign to get our free software was just thrown away after they left town. lol

 

[rasputinj]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
I was in Overland Park Kansas.. Mine was pretty full, but not "Full"

Those are my wife and my old stomping grounds she used to go to Overland Park to do work with a company called Quintiles, I used to stay at the Marriott in Overland Park, when I would go to KC when I worked for Midland. Nice area Overland Park.

I just went to the TS2 IN Camarillo, CA, it was packed, they will send us the certificates, I am a partner, with the action pack so they will send me virtual PC in the next edition of the action pack, they already sent me 2003 SBS, so I will get another copy of Office 2003, they already sent me one copy already for the action pack, for $199 renewel it is a great deal for me ..

 

[uglywolf]

The guys with the company I share an office with went to these TS2 seminars and got their versions of Windows 2003 Server for Small Business Premium and Virtual PC 2004 in the mail. The SBS version is "Not for Resale" and only includes 5 client access licenses. The Virtual PC 2004 was also "Not for Resale." I decided to pass on this when I found out you have to jump through hoops with Microsoft. Correct me if I'm wrong but you have to promote Microsoft wares on your website and let them know of one sucess story with the software during the next year. Something like that. I was also curious as to what "Not for Resale" meant. I got a look at the licenses that came with the software and it says the software is to be used for testing, evaluation, and demonstration only. I read that to mean it's pretty restricted. To me, that means I can't use the software for administrative or commercially purposes in my business. In other words, if I wanted to use the software to host my company website and have my employees use Exchange for email, I'd have to get a regular copy with the proper license. It sounds like a fully working demo that never expires.

 

[Loxias]

Originally posted by: uglywolf
The guys with the company I share an office with went to these TS2 seminars and got their versions of Windows 2003 Server for Small Business Premium and Virtual PC 2004 in the mail. The SBS version is "Not for Resale" and only includes 5 client access licenses. The Virtual PC 2004 was also "Not for Resale." I decided to pass on this when I found out you have to jump through hoops with Microsoft. Correct me if I'm wrong but you have to promote Microsoft wares on your website and let them know of one sucess story with the software during the next year. Something like that. I was also curious as to what "Not for Resale" meant. I got a look at the licenses that came with the software and it says the software is to be used for testing, evaluation, and demonstration only. I read that to mean it's pretty restricted. To me, that means I can't use the software for administrative or commercially purposes in my business. In other words, if I wanted to use the software to host my company website and have my employees use Exchange for email, I'd have to get a regular copy with the proper license. It sounds like a fully working demo that never expires.

The success story is to try to win a prize from Microsoft and is not a requirement to receive the software. Just another promotion they are running. As far as using the software for you company I've always felt (and got similar info from the presenter) that running the software for you company is essentially testing it. With 5 CALs you aren't going to be setting up a huge network anyway and what better way to test than to put it in your production environment.

 

[xchangx]

I signed up for the partners program, took the training course, and wrote a success story... The flyer said I sould recieve an e-certificate for a SBS Resale Version....

But I havn't gotten anything yet. Is there anything else I need to do?

 

[imation930]

No just sit and wait it took me about a month or 2 and I recieved mine it's a not for resale copy. But anyways I am going to the event today tuesday the 17th I am going to 2 of them at the same location in Boca Raton one at 7 till 12:30pm and the ts2 one at 1pm till 5 pm. It is going to be at a regal cinema. Did anyone attend one at a cinnema I want to know if at any of there events recently being at a cinnema for the event or not if they are going out free food or not. The last one I went the summer it was free food and stuff for 2003 server. Let me know what about stuff ok thanks.

 

[LLLosingit]

I have question for those that attended the TS2 event(edit: may have been the touchpoint seminar) and got the grab bag with the SBS 2003 evaluation disk set.
I just opened the kit and it has 5 disks for the install along with outlook standard edition and FrontPage2003 disk. Am I wrong or are the Outlook and FrontPage disks the regular programs and not the evaluation disks?
They don't say they are the evaluation disks and they don't look the same, they look like retail disks

 

[imation930]

Hi didn't check it yet. Today I went for the TouchPoint Series and the TS2 Event. Was anyone at the Boca Raton event there. They had a really nice breakfast in the morning. Everyone that attended TouchPoint Series event received a black bag with a free evaluation copy of small business server 2003 premium edition. Also they got a free voucher to go to New Horizons Tech Center for one free Microsoft Application Couse Training for one day. In the afternoon for the TS2 event they gave out a ticket to get a free small soda and free small bag of popcorn. It was held at a Regal Movie Theather. But I didn't like the popcorn one bit. It was way to salty. I got really dizzy and was not feeling well. So I decided to buy a bag of skittles. That make me even more sick though it would help but what a waste of 5 dollars. Anyways we got another bag from microsoft for attending the TS2 event. Also we got a One Plus Certificate for the software but all that is really left is the Office 2003 because they said the Virtual PC 2004 has only 1,000 left. They didn't check for anything for being a registered member or certified partner for the certificate but they told you in the slide show. So I got my suff and was leaving the place but I had to go to the bathroom so I wen back to the bathroom and had to pass the line where they were giving out the stuff and this lady was taking the evaluation sheets and the other 2 ladies were giving out the bags and the certificates. So I went to the bathroom and came out and to leave I had to pass te lady that was giving out the certificates and I passed her and she just through the certificate right in front of me so I just took it and left so now I got 2 certificates. Pretty Cool Huh. So how did everyone else go with there events. I am going to redeem the certificates for 2 copies of office 2003 professional becasue I sbscribe for the action pack which I got for 99 dollars in the summer when they had a promotion. Someone got it for me as a gift so it was free for me and I am getting virtual pc 2004 in the feburary update of the action pack.

 

[xchangx]

To redeem the software, you have to be a registered partner and because of that I doubt they will let you redeem 2 certificates.

Good luck though...

 

[imation930]

 

[imation930]

Sorry for blank post above. I am a registered partner on their site and redeemed one certificate for Office 2003 and will get it in 6-8 weeks. But the other one I am putting in another name on my other registered partner account.

 

[rasputinj]

I went to the TS2 in Camarillo Ca, they were full so they did not hand out the certs. they were going to mail them, how long should one wait before emailing people. Did anyone else experience this?

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: uglywolf
The guys with the company I share an office with went to these TS2 seminars and got their versions of Windows 2003 Server for Small Business Premium and Virtual PC 2004 in the mail. The SBS version is "Not for Resale" and only includes 5 client access licenses. The Virtual PC 2004 was also "Not for Resale." I decided to pass on this when I found out you have to jump through hoops with Microsoft. Correct me if I'm wrong but you have to promote Microsoft wares on your website and let them know of one sucess story with the software during the next year. Something like that. I was also curious as to what "Not for Resale" meant. I got a look at the licenses that came with the software and it says the software is to be used for testing, evaluation, and demonstration only. I read that to mean it's pretty restricted. To me, that means I can't use the software for administrative or commercially purposes in my business. In other words, if I wanted to use the software to host my company website and have my employees use Exchange for email, I'd have to get a regular copy with the proper license. It sounds like a fully working demo that never expires.

wonder why they were promoting WinSBS2k3 as 75 CALs then at the one here Jax FL..like in Boca was at a Regal Cinema..voucher for free popcorn/soda..bathrooms there aren't adequate for 200 persons(about how many were in attendance) ..no free boxed software..demos on SBS2k3,Infopath, VirtualPC2k4(rather novel piece of software..allows 4 nics ..I believe..4 OSes..Linux was spouted a lot..for 16 virtual LANs..they ran this on an Evo w/ 1.5GB of ram..when running three and some other stuff only 250ish was free..rather a resource hog.. and a P4-M @1600mhz..saw 5 drives in a My Comp view..pretty sure were under the table) ..only got 1 cert(OnePlus)..was an ok presentation..shame didn't get a T-shirt tho did grab one of their Connect w/ Microsoft pens..

Originally posted by: imation930
Hi didn't check it yet. Today I went for the TouchPoint Series and the TS2 Event. Was anyone at the Boca Raton event there. They had a really nice breakfast in the morning. Everyone that attended TouchPoint Series event received a black bag with a free evaluation copy of small business server 2003 premium edition. Also they got a free voucher to go to New Horizons Tech Center for one free Microsoft Application Couse Training for one day. In the afternoon for the TS2 event they gave out a ticket to get a free small soda and free small bag of popcorn. It was held at a Regal Movie Theather. But I didn't like the popcorn one bit. It was way to salty. I got really dizzy and was not feeling well. So I decided to buy a bag of skittles. That make me even more sick though it would help but what a waste of 5 dollars. Anyways we got another bag from microsoft for attending the TS2 event. Also we got a One Plus Certificate for the software but all that is really left is the Office 2003 because they said the Virtual PC 2004 has only 1,000 left. They didn't check for anything for being a registered member or certified partner for the certificate but they told you in the slide show. So I got my suff and was leaving the place but I had to go to the bathroom so I wen back to the bathroom and had to pass the line where they were giving out the stuff and this lady was taking the evaluation sheets and the other 2 ladies were giving out the bags and the certificates. So I went to the bathroom and came out and to leave I had to pass te lady that was giving out the certificates and I passed her and she just through the certificate right in front of me so I just took it and left so now I got 2 certificates. Pretty Cool Huh. So how did everyone else go with there events. I am going to redeem the certificates for 2 copies of office 2003 professional becasue I sbscribe for the action pack which I got for 99 dollars in the summer when they had a promotion. Someone got it for me as a gift so it was free for me and I am getting virtual pc 2004 in the feburary update of the action pack.

worth 4 hrs of my time..yeah I suppose so.. <edit> redeemed my cert..only 2 choices..VirtualPC or Office 2003..(knowing there is a Basic,Standard,etc. on Office 2k3..starting prices are rather low but..the VirtualPC software is a known $ amt ..about $129..) ..gambled on selecting Office 2003..*BingO*order says Pro and MS' says Office 2k3 Pro is

Microsoft Office Professional Edition
? Access 2003

? Excel 2003

? Outlook 2003

? Outlook 2003 with Business Contact Manager

? PowerPoint 2003

? Publisher 2003

? Word 2003


This edition includes additional support for Extensible Markup Language (XML) and information rights management (IRM). It allows you to use Visual Studio Tools for the Microsoft Office System.

..that would definitely make it a HotDeal

 

[imation930]

Hi just got an email from microsoft and my order is comming via ups 2nd day air. I ordered the office 2003 professional edition on friday night and it''s already shipped today. I am now redeeming my other certificate I got two of them read a couple post above and you will find out how. I am using another email address that I got registered on partner site and I am going to get soon virtual pc 2004 which I am already getting with my action pack this month. So it works I can redeem both certificates. Anyone get the email saying their order shipped. I want to keep this topic post open everyone keep posting and let me know thanks.

 

[imation930]

Don't forget to let me know of status ok thanks.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: imation930
Hi just got an email from microsoft and my order is comming via ups 2nd day air. I ordered the office 2003 professional edition on friday night and it''s already shipped today. I am now redeeming my other certificate I got two of them read a couple post above and you will find out how. I am using another email address that I got registered on partner site and I am going to get soon virtual pc 2004 which I am already getting with my action pack this month. So it works I can redeem both certificates. Anyone get the email saying their order shipped. I want to keep this topic post open everyone keep posting and let me know thanks.

shipped Airborne Express 2 day for me as said in email rec'd yesterday.

 

[shiftomnimega]

Holy crap I'm slow... the conference is going on as we speak down the street from my apt.

Doh

 

[imation930]

Oh yea it says airborne express 2nd day sorry I messed up I just called to get tracking number and they said none of them were shipped yet. They are in the process of being shipped and will be shipped within the next 5-7 business days then when it ships I will get an email that gives the tracking number. And he says that they still got office 2003 pro and virtual pc 2004 in stock. and he said that when you are redeeming the certificate on the registration site and what ever is on the list to recieve is in stock so if you picked Virtual PC 2004 you will definetly recieve it gauranteed. I redeemed my other certificate for virtual pc 2004 yesterday and I will be getting that too. Bye will update when more information comes my way everyone else update too

 

[rasputinj]

Hey, I just received information on another TS2 in my neck of the woods, Agoura Cali, so I will go again in March, works for me.

 

[imation930]

Did anyone attend the technet seminar yet. I want to know what do you get in the black bag for attending. Please let me know as I might attend one near by in march what are they giving out for attending.

 

[Statman]

Just attended the event in Tucson and I must say I found it pretty informative. I really did like Virtual Machine demo. The guy giving the presentation (Robert?) told us that "several websites" have been announcing the event as an opporunity to get free software. He also mentioned that if this type of trend continues they wont me able to hand out very many free copies of anything as people would be abusing the system.

Anyways, I found it to be informative and I can see our company using some of the applications mentioned in the demonstration.