Mommy, Why is There a Server in the House?

Some of you have heard of the book "Mommy, Why is There a Server in the House?" but who out there actually has a copy? (unless you went to CES where Microsoft was handing them out by the truckload) It's actually a beautifully illustrated book that Microsoft came out with as part of a odd-ball marketing scheme to promote it's Windows Home Server.

It does have value as a children's book, I guess, but don't take it too seriously. It's written by the fictional author Tom O'Connor, Ph.D. My favorite quote from the book is "Or your uncle who smells like bark". Bark? (I also like the part where the dog pees on the laptop.)

Anyhoo... You can peruse through the first few pages of the book above, read the whole thing at Stay At Home Servers, order a paperback copy from Amazon for USD$5.95, or...

Want a copy for free?

As it just so happens, I have a few copies of the book available to give away for free: three are paperback and one is a special hard cover collector's edition signed by Home Server General Manager Charlie Kindel (seen here in this video explaining the various capabilities of the WHS). Thx Charlie!

What do you need to do to be eligible to win? (This is complicated so you may want to write this down) Simply reply to this post and I'll put your name in the hat for the drawing (I really do use a hat). That's it!

Any reply will do (ex: "I'd like a free book!" or "me too!"), but why not use the chance to say something profound. Tell people how you use your Windows Home Server. If you built it yourself, what is your hardware configuration?

Multiply your odds

Here is where it really gets good. Tell your friends about the give-away. For each friend who replies to this post and mentions that he/she was referred by you, not only are they eligible to win, but you will get another chance to win (limit 5 referrals). Make sure that they mention the exact name you use to post (ex: "referred by SkinnyPuppy"). In other words, refer five friends and your name goes in the hat 6 times!

With 4 books available and only 8 readers of my blog, your chances are pretty darned good .  (You know I'm joking about the 8 readers, right?) Heck, I'll even toss in a couple of Windows Home Server beer koozies with each book! I don't even need your email address (unless you win).

I'm closing the contest and drawing 1 grand prize winner (for the signed hardcover) and 3 runners-up(for the paperbacks) on June 12, 2008 and will announce the winners in a follow-up post a few days later, so check back to see if you've won! As with the other contest, this is open to U.S. residents only (sorry). Good luck!