A big Office 2003 Trial Version question???

[Connie Vanzant]

Why is a brand new computer equiped only with a trial version of important production software? Forcing the owners to shell out more money?

Is this a money making scheme on part of Microsoft or on part of the computer maker? Yes, this has to be called a scheme, because the packaging did not specifically advertise that this important production software was only a trial version and would require extra money at a later date.

And since this is the first computer I've worked on like this, I would like to know how common this is? The computer I worked on is a brand new Compact from Walmart.

I have read maybe two posts where this has happened to others, and no one sounded as outraged as I feel about this situation. I am outraged because I know so many people, including myself, who work hard for what little money they have and save and wait to purchase a computer, expecting to get the basics, and was at one time able to get the basics. Now, you expect consumers to pay the same amount of money for only a trial version of your product and then pay more money later. Especially when the consumer is not very computer literate and don't really understand that the reason behind this unneeded inconvenience is because you've added a few more bells and whistles to Office 2002.

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Why is a brand new computer equiped only with a trial version of
important production software?

I've no idea - yes I do; why don't you ask your computer manufacturer? Or
maybe it did say and you didn't read what you were buying.

Forcing the owners to shell out more money?

No one's "forcing" you to do anything.

Is this a money making scheme on part of Microsoft or on part of the
computer maker? Yes, this has to be called a scheme, because the
packaging did not specifically advertise that this important
production software was only a trial version and would require extra
money at a later date.

Do you mean "scheme" or "scam". In any case, it's neither.

And since this is the first computer I've worked on like this, I
would like to know how common this is? The computer I worked on is a
brand new Compact from Walmart.

Firstly the brand is a 'Compaq' not "Compact". Secondly, had you bothered to
do your homework, you'd have know this.

I have read maybe two posts where this has happened to others, and no
one sounded as outraged as I feel about this situation. I am outraged
because I know so many people, including myself, who work hard for
what little money they have and save and wait to purchase a computer,
expecting to get the basics, and was at one time able to get the
basics.

Then you should do your homework, shouldn't you?! You have no one to blame
but yourself. You should learn to ask the relevant questions, such as "What
software comes with this system and is it full version?"

Now, you expect consumers to pay the same amount of money for

only a trial version of your product and then pay more money later.
Especially when the consumer is not very computer literate and don't
really understand that the reason behind this unneeded inconvenience
is because you've added a few more bells and whistles to Office 2002.

No I don't! I don't expect anyone to pay anything! *OH* you meant
*MICROSOFT*! Well why didn't you say so?! This isn't Microsoft - it's a
peer-to-peer Usenet group. You didn't pay "the same amount of money for a
trial version" (whatever that means) - the manufacturer probably threw it in
for nothing. It is up to HP what software they include with their systems,
it has nothing whatsoever to do with Microsoft.

If you're "not very computer literate" then it's even more important you ask
the right questions. If you don't know what they are, then you should take
along someone who does. Just as you wouldn't buy a car without knowing what
you're buying, why should a computer be any different?

As for "the reason behind this unneeded inconvenience is because you've
added a few more bells and whistles to Office 2002" - well I've read this
three times and it *STILL* doesn't make any sense a) because there's no such
thing as "Office 2002" b) because what has that got to do with it being "an
inconvenience" (which it wouldn't have been had you bothered to do your
homework) and c) because, in many respects (Publisher and Outlook being two)
Office 2003 is a completely different product. If you don't want to pay for
the activation, fine, no one's forcing you to. If you still have another
version of Office, that isn't OEM, you can install it on your new system
(just remove the trial first). If not, you're perfectly free to buy Works,
or another office suite of your choice.

It's a free world (well most of it is) no-one is holding a gun to your head,
you have the right to install whatever software you choose, just as you have
the right it play whatever music you choose on your car stereo.

In short, take your whining elsewhere. Go whine at HP for not including the
full version. Whine at Walmart for not telling you. Though, most
pertinently, whine at yourself for not being smart enough to do your
homework and ask the right questions.

This has nothing whatsoever to do with Microsoft.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Important Production Software is purchased. A trial is just that, a free
trial. If you want to purchase it, then purchase it. It is a trial - no
trial is a full version that will work forever.

If you wanted Production Software with your computer, you should purchase
it. Expecting a trial to work forever is unrealistic.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my personal
account will be deleted without reading.

After searching google.groups.com and finding no answer, Connie Vanzant
asked:

| Why is a brand new computer equiped only with a trial version of
| important production software? Forcing the owners to shell out more
| money?
|
| Is this a money making scheme on part of Microsoft or on part of the
| computer maker? Yes, this has to be called a scheme, because the
| packaging did not specifically advertise that this important
| production software was only a trial version and would require extra
| money at a later date.
|
| And since this is the first computer I've worked on like this, I
| would like to know how common this is? The computer I worked on is a
| brand new Compact from Walmart.
|
| I have read maybe two posts where this has happened to others, and no
| one sounded as outraged as I feel about this situation. I am outraged
| because I know so many people, including myself, who work hard for
| what little money they have and save and wait to purchase a computer,
| expecting to get the basics, and was at one time able to get the
| basics. Now, you expect consumers to pay the same amount of money for
| only a trial version of your product and then pay more money later.
| Especially when the consumer is not very computer literate and don't
| really understand that the reason behind this unneeded inconvenience
| is because you've added a few more bells and whistles to Office 2002.

 

[Bob I]

In consumer terms it's also called a "Sample", "Testdrive" or
"Timelimited Demo".

Are you saying that you would prefer that the company you bought the PC
from had not provided you the opportunity to try this software out? If
so, please feel free to voice your opinion about PC configuration with
the vendor that you purchased it from.