MikeRoweSoft.com for an Xbox!

**Malicious Intent** · January 26th, 2004, 07:12 AM

Boy swaps MikeRoweSoft for Xbox

A Canadian teenager whose website annoyed Bill Gates' lawyers is giving it up in exchange for Microsoft goodies, including an Xbox console.
Mike Rowe, 17, thought it would be fun to add "soft" to the end of his name to set up the site, mikerowesoft.com.

The computer giant thought it was too close to its name, and offered him $10 to take it down which Mr Rowe refused.

The new deal includes Microsoft paying for a new site, expenses and a subscription to its developer forum.

'Busy with exams'

"All along I just wanted to prove a point that the small guy can win against the giant corporations," Mr Rowe said on his website last week.

He had originally demanded Microsoft pay him $10,000 to take down the site, which he set up as a forum for designers and programmers.

The out-of court settlement was reached amicably on Friday.

"We believe he's a bright young man with great potential," said Jim Desler, Microsoft spokesman.

"Mike will soon decide on his new name and website and we have agreed to help redirect any traffic to his new website to ensure he does not lose any business."

As a sign of goodwill, Microsoft said it would also give the teenager training for certification on its products, and he and his parents have been invited to the technology giants' headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

Mr Rowe was not able to comment on the settlement. His father said he was too busy with his exams.

But on Sunday he wrote on his website, "Sorry there hasn't been a lot of news posted by me lately, I have been very busy with school, exams, the media, new website and settling with Microsoft."

**Wolfie** · January 26th, 2004, 11:53 AM

I would have out held at least for a Play Station 2.

**que-em** · January 26th, 2004, 11:57 AM

Xbox!! That's like a drug dealer giving out crack, they want you to get hooked.

I thought when Soft said they were being too harsh on Mike Rowe it meant they were going to drop the whole thing. I guess it meant they're going to get him hooked on their products. Now if they would have promised me a job making some of that soft money well.....

**RJ5500** · January 26th, 2004, 12:01 PM

The Xbox is a fine console. It's one of the best.

Me, I'd rather have the Xbox than the domain name, even if it was my own name.

**Ken17625** · January 26th, 2004, 12:08 PM

I actually read the list of things he was getting, and i'd have to say I would have took the deal as well.

Greedy, yes, but greed is a part of human nature.

**isus** · January 26th, 2004, 12:15 PM

i would have told ms to shove the xbox where the sun don't shine. it's not THAT good.

**shawners** · January 26th, 2004, 12:29 PM

i would of said, an XBOX, ALL THE GAMES, and any future releases for the next 2 years.. ANd 20,000 along with a trip to europe =)

**Nothingface5384** · January 26th, 2004, 01:20 PM

sh!t i woulld have demanded for a free life time access to xbox live!

**shawners** · January 26th, 2004, 02:16 PM

lol would asking for the new longhorn operating system be right?

**DainBramaged** · January 26th, 2004, 02:49 PM

XBOX isn't a bad system. It's not the greatest, in my opinion, but if they make a game for multiple platforms (PC notwithstanding), I'd choose the box version over PS2 or GC anyday.

But I would have definately asked for a large collection of games and at least a year of XBOX Live.

**wonderboy2005** · January 27th, 2004, 07:04 PM

heh... i dont know if any of you watch the screen savers on TechTV, but earlier tonight, they interviewed him via phone. among other things, he said he was planning to install linux on his new xbox. you cant help but crack a smile knowing that microsoft gave him somthing for free, expecting that he would buy games for it and relinquish the losses assossiated with making their console, only to be screwed over by open source freedom.

**isus** · January 27th, 2004, 07:29 PM

now he's selling the letters from ms... only $500 guys... that's a bargain!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3382073018

**wonderboy2005** · January 27th, 2004, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by isus

now he's selling the letters from ms... only $500 guys... that's a bargain!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3382073018

what a crock... thats capitalism for you. and seriously.... $500 for a 25 page letter? hell no. if im going to pay $500 for 'a peice of internet history' it damn well better be kevin mitnick, not a 25 page long bore-fest.

**rebirth** · January 27th, 2004, 09:05 PM

OMFG I am sick of seeing ppl saying that he only got an X-BOX for his legal tiff...he got so much more...OMFFFG!

As a sign of goodwill, Microsoft said it would also give the teenager training for certification on its products, and he and his parents have been invited to the technology giants' headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

**rebirth** · January 27th, 2004, 09:06 PM

That could be worth possibly more than the $10000 he originally demanded. Think if he produced a proggie that were to be distroed with Windows LH? AND if he was M$ certified? How much money could those royalties pay? EH? :P:P