Author: Christine

Since Mike is the type that writes his own IRC clients in Python for fun, he should be amused by the story of the Myserious billboard. At least I was. [via Melissa.]

Years ago, there was a company called FreePC.com. The premise was that you signed up for their free computer, and they sent you one – with banner and spy software, so they could monitor your surfing habits. I didn’t own a computer at home at the time, and I was happy to sell my soul just for a free machine. I signed up, but didn’t hear anything. I forgot all about it for the most part, randomly checking back to see if they had updated the site or if there was any new information.

Then, one day I received an e-mail asking me if I still wanted to participate, and if so – to verify where to send the new PC. Yes, free. Well, somewhat free, but I had to be willing to be spied on. Ok, whatever – I didn’t mind.

A year or so later, the company folded, and they sent us the information on how to reformat things to get the banner ads off the computer. Since then, I have replaced the hard drive, buying one from a co-worker for $40. The PC still works just fine. Free.

The point of all of this? You can have a chance to get a FREE iPod. I signed up for the pink one. Shocker there, huh? Anyways, I need to refer five friends – so if you are interested in helping me out and want to sign up, go to my special freeiPods.com referrer page. Once you sign up, get 5 friends to sign up and go for one of the offers (Columbia House DVD, AOL for Broadband, White Smile, BMG Music Service) and … well, that’s it. Free iPod, or so they claim. For a price slightly cheaper than your soul. (UPDATE: I removed the link to my referrer page because I’ve met the requirements for one. If you still want to sign up, help these people out.)

Don’t want an iPod? That’s ok. They will give you $250 in gift certificates for iTunes instead.

I really, really, really want the pink iPod though… although the silver is nice too…