If you joined the MS survey to get free Vista....

[fstroupe]

I haven't seen a thread on this, very sorry if it exists and I just missed it.

SCARY STUFF!!!

I received this email on 4/10...if you missed it, read it carefully.....I visited the opt-out page, and received a confirmation email that said I should also uninstall the survey software by downloading this software: http://wfp.microsoft.com/App_Client/wfpclean.exe

Thank you for participating in the Windows Feedback Program!
On April 15, 2008, a new version of the Windows Feedback Panel (WFP) software and an updated Privacy Statement will be available on the Windows Feedback Panel program website. Please take a moment to review these updates, as the new version of the WFP software will automatically update the current version on your PC.
Two sections in our Privacy Statement - Collection of Your Information and Choice and Control - are being updated. Changes to these sections are underlined in the sections below:

Collection of Your Information
We will collect personal information if you choose to participate in the Program. The personal information we collect may include your name, gender, e-mail address, city, and ZIP code. In addition, we will collect and store your survey responses. If you choose to participate in the automated feedback program, information about your software and your computer will be recorded and sent back to Microsoft. This information includes, but is not limited to:

• Windows usage behavior including installed and used applications.
• Number and type of software errors encountered.
• Performance of software and hardware products installed on your computer
• File and folder structures on your computer, including number of types of files in folders, such as number of jpg files in the Pictures folder.
• What transpired during a network problem, including data obtained from various network connections, components, and devices installed on your computer.
• System-specific information, such as hardware, devices, drivers, and settings installed on your computer.
• Registry values.
• Event logs.
• Office Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) data.
  • More information about this program is available in the applicable Office privacy statement. The Office 2007 privacy statement can be found here. To display the privacy statement for Office 2003, please search for "Privacy Statement" in Office 2003 online help. Please see below for more information.
• Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) data.
  • More information about this program can be found in the Windows Vista privacy statement. Please see below for more information.

Both your survey responses and automated feedback will be associated with your personal information. Please note that this differs with the CEIP disclosures in the Office 2007, Office 2003, and Windows Vista privacy statements. If you choose to participate in the automated feedback program of the Windows Feedback Program, the CEIP data we collect while you are in the automated feedback program will be associated with the personal information we collect from you through the Windows Feedback Program.
Choice and Control
The Microsoft Windows Feedback Panel software occasionally checks online to ensure that you are running the most current version of the software and automatically installs an upgrade if a newer version is available.

We also wanted to let you know that you will be entered for a chance to win USD $5,000 cash each time you complete a survey from the survey feedback program between April 1, 2008 and June 30, 2008. If you participate in the automated feedback program, you will receive an additional sweepstakes entry if you remain an active member in the program through June 30, 2008.*
The winner will be notified by mail and email. We are about to announce the winner of the last sweepstakes period on our website.
THANK YOU
- The Windows Experience Team

*No purchase necessary. Open only to U.S. Residents 18+. For full rules and alternate method of entry visit Official Rules, Windows Feedback Program Sweepstakes.
Stop receiving these emails
If you would prefer to no longer receive communications from the Windows Feedback Program you must discontinue your participation in the program. To stop participating, visit our opt-out page and enter the email at which you received this message.
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052

[Quakindude]

Meh. Common sense would dictate a few "rules of the road" for those of us with any knowledge about computers.

1. Before installing this app, get yourself a fresh OS install. I used a different HDD and installed Windows XP Pro on it. When I wanted my privacy, I booted off my real HDD. When I wanted to log usage time for the MS offer...just surfing the web, doing basic family photo editing, listening to CD's etc...I used the drive with the MS monitoring tool installed on it.

2. When I got my copy of Vista Ultimate, I formatted the drive with MS's monitoring tool installed on it. So I didn't have to worry about the opt-out nor the uninstall "tool."

[Stormcrow]

Same thing I did Quake, installing logging software by your own choice like the Feedback Panel is of course going to take advantage over the free reign of logging it can do thanks to the EULA.

[screwballl]

• Automated feedback program: You will be removed from the automated feedback program within 10 days.
• Survey feedback program: You will be removed from the survey feedback program within 10 days.

[fstroupe]

I put the survey on my wife's laptop...that spent most of the time turned off. It doesn't do anything or go anywhere that makes any difference...its just the thought of it. The info that they will be getting is just too much.

[Quakindude]

Originally Posted by fstroupe

The info that they will be getting is just too much.

Only if you allow it to be too much. You DO have a choice in how you use the computer it's installed on. But I understand not everyone has the time nor inclination to bother with the hoops. I wanted Vista Ultimate for free though, so it was worth it to me.