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Californians Can Get Free MS-Settlement PCs
soliaus writes "Seeing as how Microsoft recently lost the anti-trust lawsuit in California, Lindows has taken charge and is offering people free Lindows-related goodies. Basically, Lindows files a claim on your behalf, they keep the money, and you can get a copy of Lindows; a Click-N-Run subscription; a free PC; or other Lindows goods. More information about filing a claim on your own can be found here." (Note that this only applies if you purchased a computer for use in California.) Other companies will probably come out with their own approach to trading settlement money for goods, too, so if Lindows isn't your choice, waiting is a good idea.
From the MSfreePC.com FAQ page:
Q: Is there a deadline for me to make my claim using MSfreePC.com?
A: Yes. The MSfreePC program is scheduled to end at the latest March 15, 2004. However, depending on demand levels, the ability to use MSfreePC.com to get an Instant Settlement* could end at ANY time [emphasis theirs], so you'll want to make your claim today! Also, keep in mind that the FREE PC offer is only valid for the first 10,000 claimants who acquire $100 worth of products through the MSfreePC program.
Depending on the robustness of the MSfreePC.com server, "depending on demand levels" may mean that "the ability to use MSfreePC.com" could end about 10 seconds after the story shows up on Slashdot...
If it does get Slashdotted, though, I've still got the FAQ in cache and would be happy to post it.
Stressed? Me? Of course not. Stress is what a rubber band feels before it breaks, silly.
I am getting a copy of Lindows, a two button mouse, and a 486DX33mhz!
i think i'd much rather have the money than a crippled copy of debian. Is there no provision to get cash back instead of an operating system you don't want?
Q: What benefits are available under the settlement?
A: You will receive vouchers redeemable for cash after the purchase of a wide variety of software and computer hardware products. The vouchers are worth: $16 for each Microsoft Windows or MS-DOS license claimed; $29 for each Microsoft Office license claimed; $5 for each Microsoft Word, Home Essentials or Works Suite license claimed; and $26 for each Microsoft Excel license claimed.
{Emphasis added}
This gave me a splendid idea!
California is only one state, right? So why don't the rest of the 49 states in the US sue Microsoft so they have to pay up to 52.8 billion dollars in settlement instead?
That should take care of 'em! Bwhahaahhahah!
What's so bad about being lazy? What if there was a war and nobody showed up?
Free Lindows post-settlement PC + Free RedHat Download = Free RedHat PC (for all intents and purposes)
--- What
Note that participating in this involves signing over your claim to Lindows. This is probably a good thing. Lindows are a major pain in the ass for the boys from Redmond, and they deserve our general support for this.
It's hard to understand the hostility some people demonstrate towards Lindows, which is a good package, well-made and well-supported. It's not ideal for pioneer Linux users, but you do have a large choice of alternatives. What Lindows has done is to demonstrate the possibility of a migration path from Windows to Linux, and for we should be grateful.
Incidentally, to those who say Lindows is "crippleware" it's very hard to cripple Debian, which classically bootstraps from a diskette. You do need to know what a shell prompt is, and how to use apt-get, but that's about it.
Ceci n'est pas une signature
From what I read, they don't require the proof that the settlement requires, so how are they going to get the money? And what's stopping you from filing claims with both MS and Lindows? I doubt MS is going to share it's data with Lindows.
666-607: 6th floor apartment of the beast
I'm sure that the lawyers are very happy with this case against Microsoft because for every dollar that Microsoft is fined the lawyers will get a dime. It's the case of the lesser of the two evils - whilst Microsoft may have a few questionable business practices, it's the lawyers that are bleeding this country dry.
And as you've pointed out, it's very hypocritical for Slashdot to cheer on this lawsuit whilst criticizing SCO.
...if someone sues IBM? Do we get a free copy of SCO?
[[ the only 15 letter word that is spelled without repeating a letter is uncopyrightable: it may soon be, however. ]]
No matter what you think about Lindows, you must admit that Michael Robertson is quick to jump on an opportunity. His marketing skills far surpass other Linux vendors. It really grabs your attention to see the message that you can get a free computer. He even spins it well to call it "MS-free PC."
www.mikesmind.com - www.daddyworkathome.com - www.freetofarm.org - www.tenfoottable.com
Allowing courts and governments to determine pricing is bad precedent.
Californian's wonder why businesses are leaving in droves will soon see other effects. You cannot have predatory governments and courts and expect your economy to thrive.
Right now the cost of doing business is not high enough to force everyone out, but inch by inch they leave. (iow, we know Ms will never leave, but there are smaller companies who other effects of the abuse of government and courts there)
Don't cheer crap like this.
* Winners compare their achievements to their goals, losers compare theirs to that of others.
Nobody can submit claims until two months from now, at which time Alvarado is expected to approve the exact wording of the public notification of the settlement.
So there will be a fairly short window of opportunity.
But this, to me, is much more interesting.
Two-thirds of the unclaimed money will go to California public schools in a mix of donated Microsoft software and cash grants. Although the maximum value of the settlement is $1.1 billion, Microsoft could end up paying as little as $367 million in cash, which is what it would owe to California public schools if no vouchers are claimed. If all vouchers are claimed, Microsoft would be required to pay the maximum, but schools would then get nothing.
Now I wonder how this part of the negotiations worked out. The more that is claimed by Californians, the more they are effectively taking away from the public schools.
So (in a fit of pure speculation and knowing bugger all about how these things work in that great state), is there a chance that educational organizations might start running radio advertisements encouraging people to voluntarily give up their claims so that the money can automatically go to the schools? And, if that were to happen, and be successful in any quantity, might it then be possible for Microsoft to turn around and say, "see, people really didn't care that much after all"?
Now, my initial reaction is to think there's no way this could happen. But then I stop to consider just how little reimbursement would actually be involved for most people, and the fact that they have to go through the whole rigmarole of filling out the paperwork and submitting it and so on (unless they take up Lindows on their offer), and it just might work out that a fair quantity of people decide it's not worth it for them and they'd just as soon have it go to the schools.
a savings account of $100 billion!
Wow! They must keep it pretty well hidden since their balance sheet shows only $6 billion in cash and cash equivalents. Even if you include short-term investments (which you really shouldn't because investments are not as liquid) you only get to $49 billion.
I also wonder how much of a cash-cow are CA schools for Apple. I am guessing that they pretty much give the stuff away for the same reason that MS would be glad to give away their software. There is nothing forcing schools to switch to Windows and if they are already all Mac they probably wouldn't because it would require new hardware. This really should only benefit schools that already use Windows and in that case Microsoft gains nothing.
Nice troll, though.
Stupid.
Avoid giving in to the temptation to just list things you haven't purchased. You are declaring, under penalty of perjury, that you really did buy them. And unless you're the president of the US, perjury is a serious offense.
I find it interesting you are unable to learn the details of their "instant settlement" plan until steps 7 and 8... after you provide your:
(1) email address;
(2) tell them the number of covered products you purchased, where you purchased them from, and when you purchased them;
(3) tell them what Lindows package you want (sorry no returns or refunds...);
(4) provide them your name, address, phonenumber, and LAST FOUR DIGITS OF YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ; and then
(5) digitally sign a verification under penalty of perjury...
After giving them that information, then they will tell you the details of the "instant settlement" plan.... I hope someone files a class-action against this site soon....Or better yet, where is the California Attorney General on this one?
--Kobayashi--
Part of this program allows you to get StarOffice 6.0 for either Microsoft Windows or LindowsOS which would cost $69 from Amazon.
You can immediately download a fully functioning digital copy. So even if you're not interested in LindowsOS (which it seems dumb not to at least check it out) there is something else of real value.
The whole tab is on Microsoft. This seems like a win-win.
The Lindows webstation PC's that they are giving away are diskless Live-CD based machines. Mouse, Keyboard, Case + CPU + Memory, CD-ROM drive. Sound and video are integrated on to the motherboard. These are really cheap boxes -- still it looks from their normal sales price that Lindows will be losing money on the deal (the machines normally sell for $169, but the settlement terms require you to produce sales receipts for any claims over $100.) Full data on the webstation is located here.
--
BitTorrent in C -- LibBT
http://www.sf.net/projects/libbt
Funny thing is, at some places the tide is a' changing.
.
My university used to be all VAX and UNIX (HP hardware) and taught the requisite core computer software: Wordperfect, Lotus 123, DB III. Lab computers were a mix of PCs, Macs, VT100 terminals, and some HP Gecko and Sun boxes
MS came into the picture and showered the university with a nice load of software, and the next semester the university was busy putting in NT servers, NT workstations and teaching MS Office. The Macs were neglected and the Suns remained.
Not to be bitter over all of it, but the Office move was a wise choice for the students because that was where the business world was going. Yes, it was feeding the problem but the students need jobs. Running the campus network from a bunch of NT machines really bit them hard over the past two years with all the worms going around. Nimda, Slammer and Blaster hit them pretty hard.
Blaster was pretty amusing because right when they got the infection under control and the machines patched, the professors returned from the summer break and started powering up their personal (unpatched) systems and started the whole mess up all over again.
Since going back for my Master's about two years ago I finally saw Macs making inroads on the campus network, running OS X server (in the campus IT dept) and OS X elsewhere. They really seem to like them over the NT machines as well.
I tried every decent and legal way I could think of to resolve the issue w/the business before I rented the chicken suit