Is www.​microsoft-​ace.com for real?

I clicked on the link and it locked up my browser.

Okay, kidding folks. Kidding.

Whois.net sez:

Registrant:
	Saltmine Inc.
	710 Second Avenue
	Suite 1100
	Seattle, WA 98104
	US
	Domain Name: MICROSOFT-ACE.COM
	Administrative Contact :
	Saltmine Inc.
	noc@saltmine.com
	710 Second Avenue
	Suite 1100
	Seattle, WA 98104
	US
	Phone: 206-284-7511
	Fax: 206-284-7875
	Technical Contact :
	Retail Holding, Inc., NSI
	nsiholding@verisign.com
	13200 Woodland Park Drive
	Herndon, VA 20171
	CH
	Phone: 818-547-9420
	Fax: 818-547-9420
	Record expires on 17-Sep-2006
	Record created on 17-Sep-2004
	Database last updated on 18-Sep-2005

littleguru wrote:

I know that it is hosted by saltmine. They are not hiding that!

Somebody from Microsoft, please, tell me: is this for real??

Yeah, I looked around on the site and couldn't figure out why they would do this, then it dawned on me:  you got sent a 'code' that you can enter into the 'select a gift' textbox.  By entering this code, you confirm that your email address is valid for more spam. 

Think about it this way:  If you aren't sure, it's probably fake.  Do you have any reason to believe that this is a valid site?  It looks legit with a cursory glance, but dig deeper and you'll find that it lacks a bunch of things that microsoft.com would contain.

Don't do it, man

If I was on the Vista Beta I would buy a Tablet PC for it.......but as i'm not i think i'm going to wait until the next generation dual core ones come out.

Would love one tho!!!

It's very real, go for it. I'm guessing that email is signed by S. Somasegar?

I'm also getting a free copy of Visual Studio 2005 Professional and SQL Server 2005 worth $1300, but through a different program, similar however to Microsoft-ACE. Microsoft sure knows how to repay its customers and keep them happy.

Now I'm thinking of buying a Tablet with the $1300 I saved .

I just receaved a travel alarm clock from Culminis, first I got a code, then signed-up on the Ace site.

Well, there you go.  It must be legit. 

 

I still wouldn't trust it, but give them your email address anyway

I got a laser-engraved Visual Studio.NET 2005 crystal cube!

Doesn't take much to impress me, I know, but I'm very happy with this little trophy!

It is indeed real as others have pointed out. Its one of the ways we are attempting to give people something back for all the feedback and help you guys have given us while we've been building VS 2005.
Enjoy!
Josh Ledgard
PM Customer Connection

Don't be such a cynic littleguru. Congrats.

I received the same e-mail today.  I think I thought about it for 3 seconds then said the hell with it.  I already get e-mail wanting to sell me little blue pills anyway.  :O

As I told my wife, I'm not quite sure what I did to receive it but what the heck.  I never win anything.

• ACE Award - Check
  
  
• C9 Guy I sent off for - Nope, not yet. 

littleguru

It's real! Don't expect too much though. It's for the average joe user.

FXEF

TAP (Taken Advantage of Periodically)



Sorry couldn't resist..