first off, i doubt anyone would know about any of this sh*t from MS if I hadn't started a thread over at [ H ]ard about the WinXP, so screw saying that you got it just because of AnandTech. As for those of you who actually work for a retail place and are bitching, get over it. I used to work at Office Max and I never knew about any of this sh*t, not all managers make sure you know about it and not all stores give a damn. I work at CompUSA now and found out from a fellow employee who was told by the MS rep.
I let the cat out of the bag for 2 reasons. 1) so that retial/qualified people who didn't know about this promotion can get it. You can't tell me that everyone that is qualified by the MS standards will know about this being available. 2) So that people that wanted to take the chance can sign up for and recieve WinXP. As previously stated, you are already stealing from these companies by taking stuff like this that you're not supposed to be doing. Taking all of this free stuff, and using multiple coupon codes, etc. is what makes prices on stuff stay high. The same applies to taking free samples of a product from a company that you never intend to purchase anything from. Of couse they like to have you on the mailing list, but why should they be wasting thier money on you when all you do is steal from them.
The MS website isn't the only one for retail employees to get free stuff. A lot of companies have this program in place. I know for a fact where to go for HP, Epson, Symantech, & Logitech for thier own sites, and another one which has almost 20 companies that have freebies and contests. Creative Labs has Retail Employee discounts in which you get the sound cards at 40% (roughly) off, somtimes more. Of course all of these retail employees here that are bitching know about all of these, so I won't need to post links to them. I wouldn't want to upset anyones feelings because they can't get something they just found out about.
BTW, most of these companies do check if you work where you do. I know that MS will do random checks, though it appears that they didn't do it for this promotion. They also give out some prizes where they mail what you win to where you put down as your place of employment. Wouldn't that be fun to call to check on it and they tell you that you don't work where you said that you did and that you can't get it.
If you have a problem with getting stuff, or other people getting stuff for free, then leave all deal forums and go somewhere else. If you feel that everyone here is breaking the law, then so be it, call MS or the gov't and tell them, don't bitch and moan about it.
Thanks for your time, have a nice day