FREE Windows Home Server OEM DVD

That's right. We are shamelessly giving away a free copy of the Windows Home Server OEM DVD to one lucky winner. What do you have to do to win? (warning, this is where it gets shameless).

People seem to like the in depth how-to articles that we publish (like the HP EX470 2GB Memory Upgrade article, for example) and how we try and keep the Windows Home Server news articles (Terry over at We Got Served does a great job with news) and "fluff" posts to a minimum. We want to spread the word and so we are recruiting your help. We'd like you to mention Home Server Hacks (and link to the blog) on any or all of the following:

• Your blog as a post
• Someone else's blog as a comment (please no spamming, only comment where relevant).
• On forums (also where relevant)
• Add HomeServerHacks.com to your blog roll
• or anything else you can think of

The contest is open starting right now and will run until May 10, 2008. After the contest ends, send an email to contest@domain.com (substitute homeserverhacks for domain) containing the link or links to each of your mentions. There will be a random drawing held on May 17, 2008 from each link received (i.e. for each link, you will get one chance to win). The more links you send, the better your chances of winning the drawing (up to 5 links). But, and I can't stress this enough, DO NOT simply spam the web with unrelated Home Server Hacks links. For example: don't try and get a link on http://www.jackbauerfacts.com.

We also have a lame second prize. While out at the MVP Summit this week, I met with the WHS team and picked up some WHS swag. The second prize winner will receive these three WHS beer koozies (sorry, beer not included). Ok, they aren't lame, but compared to a WHS DVD...

I will announce the winners after the contest ends and the lucky ones have been contacted. Good luck and thanks for all of your support!

Donavon West

**** UPDATE ****

I'm starting to get quite a few emails with links attached. Thanks! But instead of just telling people about the contest (of course link to that too) why not take the opportunity to also do one of the following:

• Link to one of your favorites posts here on Home Server Hacks (HP EX470 CPU Upgrade or Memory Upgrade perhaps).
• Tell people what you love about Microsoft's Windows Home Server. Is it the automated backup? The remote access?
• If you built your Home Server yourself, tell us what's under the hood and how the build experience was.

Basically, take the chance to promote Microsoft's WHS too. The more that people know about WHS, the stronger our community becomes. That way we all win.

And now the very non-legal fine print:

• This is an actual unopened WHS OEM DVD but for purposes of the contest, the stated value of this (and all prizes) is $0.
• I can ship prizes only to a U.S. postal addresses.
• Chances of winning depend on the number of people who enter and the number of links sent by each person.
• There are no warrantees expressed or implied on any of the prizes and are presented "as-is".
• Remember this is a random drawing so anyone can win, even if you send in only one link. Of course your chances improve with each link submitted, with the following exception:
• We are setting a limit of 5 links/person to cut down on spaminating the countryside.
• Fraudulent or spammed links will be rejected at my discretion.
• Mentions must be clearly dated between 11:00pm PDT 04/16/2008 and 11:59pm PDT 05/10/2008.