Prizes to be won:
- 46” Full HD LCD TV valued at AU$4,799.00 RRP(incl GST) ;
- Toshiba Qosmio Laptop valued at AU$5,499.00 RRP (incl GST);
- Home Theatre valued at AU$1,499.00 RRP (incl GST);
- DVD Recorder valued at AU$849.00 RRP (incl GST);
- HDD Camcorder valued at AU$1,699.00 RRP (incl GST);
- X-BOX Elite valued at $729.95 RRP (incl GST).
Read more for details!
Ok, before I get you guys excited, there are terms and conditions, but in summary:
- You need to install Silverlight to see the page
- You have to be located in Australia
- You must be a Local OEM Channel Partner. Definition of a Local OEM channel partner (“partners”) includes resellers and System Builders who resell other branded hardware (PCs and Servers) with Microsoft OEM Licenses or who build hardware to sell directly to end customers.
- You must answer the quiz questions correctly
The third requirement is pretty sucked (to me, coz I am living in Australia at the moment and eligible to win them). Although I’m not sure whether they actually check when you win the prizes, I’ve decided to be an honest guy this time and simply turn this down.
Anyways, if you think that you are eligible, good luck! You’ll be asked 10 Fact or Fiction questions about Windows Vista and 4 consultancy questions (You look at a video and decide what Windows Vista edition is best on the person’s current situation).
The quiz can be found on the page here.
Hint for the answers: Always give credit to Microsoft!
If you really want to be a cheapskate, then here are the answers 
:
Q1. Windows Vista sold more copies than any other Microsoft Operating System (including Windows XP) in the first month following launch.
Answer: Fact
My Comment: Really? Maybe the population is just getting bigger?
Q2. Windows Vista faces significant Compatibility issues with hardware devices.
Answer: Fiction
My Comment: What?? It’s really obvious that a lot of hardware (driver issues) is incompatible with Vista!!
Q3, Windows Vista faces significant issues in terms of integrating with other software applications.
Answer: Fiction
My Comment: No comment about this one.
Q4. Windows Vista delivers all new levels of security compared to previous Windows operating systems.
Answer: Fact
My comment: This may be true, especially if you have to click 10 times to get something to run in your Windows (when UAC is turned on)
Q5. Windows Vista is expensive to deploy and run.
Answer: Fiction
My comment: It’s not expensive, is it? It’s only around $300-400 for Ultimate edition..
Q6. Windows Vista hasn’t been popular with businesses.
Answer: Fiction
My comment: Want to bet on how many businesses are still sticking with Windows XP?
Q7. Windows Vista is unreliable and requires more technical support than Windows XP.
Answer: Fiction
My comment: Not sure about this one. Some people like it automated, some don’t
Q8. Microsoft has been swift to diagnose and rectify initial issues with Windows Vista.
Answer: Fact
My comment: They’d better be with those bugs, incompatibilities, and people getting ripped off by buying the Ultimate version.
Q9. Windows Vista can help deliver peace of mind for parents in terms of their children’s online safety.
Answer: Fact
My comment: No comment as I’ve never tried it, maybe when I have kids one day
Q10. Windows Vista won’t truly be ready until the first complete Service Pack is released.
Answer: Fiction
My comment: Assuming that you know how to get the leaked versions of Service Pack 1 betas, only then I’d agree with this.
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The video answers: I only went through the first one (about a mom who wants to share videos/photos to her friends and mom in UK). The answer was Home user, Parental Control, Photo Storage Editing and Sharing. Feel free to share the last 3 answers here.
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I have nothing to go against Windows Vista (I’m using it and loving it), but to simply overlook the facts and cover them with "lies" are a bit too much for me, especially the compatibility part!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
*pouts* unfortunatly I am not an OEM channel partner… However I was interested to read your comments in regards to the questions. It is plain to see that Microsoft have designed it as a sales pitch.
I must admit I do agree with you on a couple of your points, especially the hardware and software support (one of the major reasons I have not switched over).
However, in Microsoft’s defence I have to say that when Windows XP first came out it got a very similar welcome. I remember myself saying “Ahh XP is a piece of crap, Windows 98 for the win”… however with time and a service pack it became a relatively stable and solid OS.
I will be interested to see what happens with Windows Vista… For the moment though I am sticking with XP.
Oh hehe and thanks for the details of the competition, *pouts* shame I can’t enter it.
Stuart
Stuart – SecludedHabitat’s last blog post..Three Wise Monkeys on Facebook
Yeah, Windows XP experienced the same thing and believe it or not, it even has Service Pack 3 coming out of the door soon.
I dislike those who keep saying that Vista is crap, XP is much better, as they said the same thing when XP was out before SP1 and SP2 were released.
In fact, in my Happy birthday Vista post, I shared my opinion on this. (http://www.cravingtech.com/blog/2008/01/happy-birthday-windows-vista.html)
I’m just amazed at how Microsoft is using this quiz to twist our mind and tries to escape from reality that Vista is not ready at least until SP1
Prizes are great, but unfortunetly these are not for me, i am not eligible in almost all condition except
1.You need to install Silverlight to see the page.
All the best to those who qualify at least.