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Spoofee

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Microsoft Office Live Basics is offering your company with its own domain name, hosting, Web site, and e-mail accounts for free.

Free service includes
- Company domain name
- 5 Web mail accounts (2GB storage each)
- Easy-to-use Site Builder to create your own Web site (30 MB storage space)
- Web site traffic reports to help you track your site's performance

- Link to Offer
 
I'm confused by the "free before and after the beta" line, and them asking for a credit card during sign up so that "After the beta you can continue to use our services on a monthly billing basis" ...

So is it free, or not? Not worth the risk to me, and doesn't work with Firefox.
 
Note that it says 5 email boxes. However, the thing that's hidden in the fine print is that the freebie basics package doesn't allow you to access the email with a mail program, so you have to do it via their web site. ... which will include ads. Yuck!
 
The CC part is what turned me off the last time this was posted.
 
HoudiniMan said:
I'm confused by the "free before and after the beta" line, and them asking for a credit card during sign up so that "After the beta you can continue to use our services on a monthly billing basis" ...

So is it free, or not? Not worth the risk to me, and doesn't work with Firefox.
Click to expand...

I believe there are a few different options you can choose. The most basic will be free before and after the beta. The other options however are only free before beta.

They ask for a credit card to keep spammers away, and they will charge your credit card 1$ then later refund it, to verify that it really is a credit card. I signed up a month ago, and haven't had any problems as of yet.

And yes, it doesn't work with firefox :( (although the new IE is out...)
 
It turned me off too !!!

I was going to register with them, but when it asks for the credit card, I don't think that it would be free...:convinced: Hmm !
 
Weird thing was, when I went to sign up, they had my credit card on file. How does Microsoft know?
 
To quote directly from their FAQ:

Q: Why do you need my credit card for a free subscription?

A: Even though Microsoft Office Live is a free service during the beta period, we still require a credit card in order to validate that every customer is a legitimate entity. We are concerned for two reasons:
Microsoft wants to help mitigate fraud and strives to ensure that the Web sites we provide for our small business customers are for valid purposes. Requiring a valid credit card is intended to decrease the likelihood that malicious users will sign up. Web site scams, such as "phishing" or spamming, often use fictitious Web sites to deceive consumers into disclosing credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords, or other sensitive information. We limit the number of offers to one per credit card number as added protection against malicious users signing up for our service.

We also require a credit card to facilitate payment of services during the beta (e.g., the purchase of additional domain names) as well as at the conclusion of the beta period, when customers will be asked if they would like to continue using our services on a paid, monthly subscription basis. With your explicit permission, we can establish monthly billing using your credit card information. You will be able to continue using our services without interruption and without having to submit additional account information. Note: Basics subscriptions will not offer add-ons.
Click to expand...
 
microsoft is controlling the world!!
 
According to the FAQ's, the credit card gets a $1 charge, a $1 credit and they do it to minimize the number of people fradulently signing up.

As for them already having your credit card are you sure you didn't have a passport set up with them? That stores credit card info, etc.
 
I submited an email and asked them to contact me by phone because I would like to verify a couple of things before signing up for it. Once I get further details, I shall post it here.
 
greggmarshall said:
According to the FAQ's, the credit card gets a $1 charge, a $1 credit and they do it to minimize the number of people fradulently signing up.

As for them already having your credit card are you sure you didn't have a passport set up with them? That stores credit card info, etc.
Click to expand...

So if they are charging a $1 than its really not free.


Angelo
http://www.greekradiolive.com
 
RealBeerGuy said:
Angelo921 said:
So if they are charging a $1 than its really not free.

Angelo
They are not charging a $1. They simply charge your CC a $1, then credit it back, to verify you are a real person.
Click to expand...

This is what happens when you swipe your card at a gas pump or order things online. They authorize the charge for $1 and then it clears out. I work with credit cards so I see these all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Free with Limits

I guess it will be offered free only in the Beta stages. Then shell out the dough if you want to continue upon full release. Bait and hook.:mmph:
 
the "free package" requires you to use their web-wizard, rather than being able to upload files.... if you want to be able to upload you have to pay for a premium membership, and it says you're required to use MS Frontpage as an editor... blah

I give Google a month before they role out something better and truly "free"
 
I signed up this month

and so far no problems! Designing web pages is VERY easy with this program. There are many different formats and options. It should be called "Website design for dummies"! :0)
 
Does it work with the new version of firefox?
 
Here's some pros and cons (my 2cent) - Free basic version

Pros
You dont need to pay for you domain name, Average $8 per year.
Which basically gives you a personalized email addy, You could use hotmail login screen to login, and you can use fireforx and adblock combo to remove ads.
Gives you a easy to use interface to build your site, it is a plus if you are not a techno geek.
Has basic site traffic tools, dont how it compares to Google analytics
In case your site gets enough traffic a.k.a $$$, you could move your site to some where by paying domain registration company.


Cons.
Requires CC information
Requires Windblows Exploder for some operations, like site creation.
Limited features and ads (When it is free you cant complain that much).
It is M$, you dont know what they are upto.

Google also has similar stuff called google/hosted - So let the competition begin

If you are ready to spend $500, try textdrive.com they have a new hosting plan called mixed grill, which gives you 2GB HD, 20GB bandwidth, 15 domain hosting. 9GB strongspace and 1 Joyent account for lifetime (lifetime means as long as they are out there).
 
No, I am not related to Textdrive, but I signed up for life thingy earlier and they are still growing. Lots of free Software people are associated to them, like wordpress, textpattern, photostack,punbb,ruby on rails, to name a few.
 
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