2000 AD Online Forum

General Chat => Off Topic => Topic started by: Buddy on 10 January, 2004, 09:39:32 PM

Title: Can someone look at this and tell me what the catch is?
Post by: Buddy on 10 January, 2004, 09:39:32 PM
It just seems too good to be true. And it is my experience that if something look too good to be true, then it probably is.

Link: 'free computer?'

Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: Art on 10 January, 2004, 09:45:29 PM
The Register, who are usualy pretty cynical, fail to spot an actual catch. It still sounds a little dodgy though, the kind of internet-boom-era "giev away free stuff to get attention" business plan that killed companies buy the bucketload back in 2000.

Link: http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/51/34509.html

Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: MUD on 11 January, 2004, 12:26:09 AM
1 min of ads every 20 mins would be pretty annoying, espeacially if its the same ads over and over, also if your doing work would you have to keep saving your stuff when the ads are due
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: judge dreddd on 11 January, 2004, 12:32:07 AM
if something appears too good to be true, it usually is

Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: stront692 on 11 January, 2004, 01:15:47 AM
they probably have a program built into the windows registry that means u can only use their site for internet connection and that follows everything u do online

their internet connection could also be dear or poor quality, stuff like that

the graphics and sound cards are probably bog standard with low speed memory (so a faster processor wont run as fast)

all sorts of catches really
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: Bony Fella on 11 January, 2004, 02:19:48 AM
I signed up - why not? - And they seemed to be saying that I could use my current ISP for net access, just so long as I look at their ads. It could get annoying, but it'd be ok for work stuff no matter how crummy it is. Not expecting too much though, if it even comes through...
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: stront692 on 11 January, 2004, 02:21:42 AM
well - they arent gonna hold open your eyelids with matchsticks and make u watch the adds are they

heh
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: Bony Fella on 11 January, 2004, 02:26:10 AM
Minimum Specification:
Intel Celeron 2.4ghz
256Mb RAM
40Gb Hard Drive
Intel Extreme 64Mb onboard Graphics
DVD Rom
56K modem
Integrated Audio
Infinity Ext Speakers
Microsoft XP Home pre-installed
IBM E54 15" CRT Monitor
Includes Full 3 year IBM warranty

It isn't freakishly good, but it isn't terrible either!! They say on the site that there are no other obligations beyond using the PC, installign and viewing the ads, so it sounds like its worth a try. Mind you, there are only 200,000 in the first wave, so best to sign up as soon as possible. I've probably already missed the window...
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: stront692 on 11 January, 2004, 02:27:31 AM
let us all know how u get on
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: Bony Fella on 11 February, 2004, 08:37:42 PM
Just to let you know - I got an email from them a few minutes ago confirming that the delivery date will be between 15th and 25th April. They'll email me within a month of that date to organise when exactly.
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: Darryl on 12 February, 2004, 12:08:56 AM
I signed up for this back in december - my mate works for a website company and got first dibs on the allocation as a sort of thankyou - he seems to think its above board. then again, he did once sell me smints as extasy,.....
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: Mr D on 12 February, 2004, 02:25:12 AM
He he, smints...

I've signed up for this too, at Bony's behest.. Also been confirmed a similar delivery date

Hurrah!
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: madgirl on 12 February, 2004, 05:15:52 AM
Hubby has signed us up for this too. We've been told May. As soon as someone gets one they will have to tell us how good it is....or not!
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: Mr D on 12 February, 2004, 05:51:07 AM
Will do - expect a full report mid April. But the general word is pretty good from what I hear!
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: Queen Firey-Bou on 12 February, 2004, 05:58:38 AM
bugger, i'm now looking for a cheapo second PC for me work-zone, wish i'd gone for this...
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: Mr D on 12 February, 2004, 07:07:00 AM
Isn't it still open Bou? It seems to still be from what I can see.... Quick, quick!!
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: maj on 13 February, 2004, 04:33:52 AM
what is exactly in the contract? What's to stop someone reformatting the HDD, reinstalling a different OS and just run it without ads once recieved?
Title: Re: Can someone look at this and t...
Post by: Mr D on 13 February, 2004, 05:05:53 AM
Basically you have to connect to the net and their software will check that you have been using it. If this doesn't happen, they disable it and take it away.