Participate in the SQL Server Twitter Challenge!

April 7, 2011

We have looked high and low for anything with the SQL Server logo and have managed to pull together some stuff to give away to our Twitter followers! We will ask 12 questions about SQL Server on our official Twitter channel at approximately 10:00AM PDT (-8:00 GMT) on each Tuesday and Friday between April 7^th, 2011 through June 7^th, 2011. The first person to reply to our question with the correct answer (e.g. correctly name a feature of SQL Server, etc…) will win the prize of the day. Typos and misspelled words will automatically disqualify you, so be sure to type your answers correctly.

You need to be following @SQLServer in order to win a prize, so be sure to follow us today if you haven’t done so already! Also, your response to our question needs to contain the #sqlserver hashtag in order to win. Any correct answers without the hashtag will be disqualified. We will post the winners each day as they are determined along with the prize(s) they have won.

Here are a couple examples of the items we will be giving away:

SQL SERVER TWITTER CHALLENGE – OFFICIAL RULES (UPDATED)

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

COMMON TERMS USED IN THESE RULES:

These are the official rules that govern how the SQL Server Twitter Challenge (“Challenge”) promotion will operate. This promotion will be simply referred to as the “Challenge” throughout the rest of these rules.

In these rules, “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Microsoft Corporation, the sponsor of the Challenge. “You” refers to an eligible Challenge entrant.

WHAT ARE THE START AND END DATES?
This Challenge starts at 12:01 a.m PDT on April 7, 2011 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on June 7, 2011(“Entry Period”).

CAN I ENTER?
You are eligible to enter this Challenge if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:

o If you are 18 of age or older, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, you should ask your parent’s or legal guardian’s permission prior to submitting an entry into this Challenge; and

o You are NOT an employee of Microsoft Corporation or an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary; and

o You are NOT involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Challenge; and

o You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, child) or household member of a Microsoft employee, an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Challenge.

This Challenge is void wherever prohibited by law.

HOW DO I ENTER?
At approximately 10am PDT each Tuesday and Friday during the Entry Period, a new SQL Server trivia question will be posted online at www.twitter.com/sqlserver. To enter, you must do all of the following:

Sign in to your Twitter account. If you do not have an account, visit www.twitter.com to create one. Twitter accounts are free.
Once logged into your Twitter account, follow the links and instructions to become a follower of SQL Server at @SQLServer.
From your own account, reply to @SQLServer and include in the tweet your answer to the posted question. Your tweet must contain #sqlserver to be eligible for entry.
You answer must list the product/feature name correctly including correct spelling. The SQL Server team reserves the right to decide winners as needed based on the situation.

The first person to correctly tweet a correct reply will win the prize described below. Limit of one entry per trivia question per person or Twitter account.

We are not responsible for entries that we do not receive for any reason, or for entries that we receive but are not decipherable for any reason.

We will automatically disqualify:

Any incomplete or illegible entry; and

o Any entries that we receive from you that are in excess of the entry limit described above

o Any entries that do not comply with Twitter.com terms of use

WINNER SELECTION AND PRIZES
The first person to correcty respond will receve an SQL Server branded tote bag containing branded office items. Approximate Retail Value $30. Limit of one prize per person during the Entry Period.

If you are a potential winner, we will notify you via Direct Message on Twitter to the account provided at time of entry within seven (7) days following the random drawing. If the notification that we send is returned as undeliverable, or you are otherwise unreachable for any reason, we may award the prize to an alternate, randomly selected winner. Winners can expect to receive their prize within two (2) to three (3) weeks following verification of eligibility.

If there is a dispute as to who is the potential winner, we will consider the potential winner to be the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to enter the Challenge. If you are a potential winner, we may require you to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability/Publicity Release within 10 days of notification. If you are a potential winner and you are 18 or older, but are considered a minor in your place of legal residence, we may require your parent or legal guardian to sign all required forms on your behalf. If you do not complete the required forms as instructed and/or return the required forms within the time period listed on the winner notification message, we may disqualify you and select an alternate, randomly selected winner.

If you are confirmed as a winner of this Challenge:

You may not exchange your prize for cash or any other merchandise or services. However, if for any reason an advertised prize is unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value; and

You may not designate someone else as the winner. If you are unable or unwilling to accept your prize, we will award it to an alternate potential winner; and

If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable taxes related to accepting the prize; and

If you are otherwise eligible for this Challenge, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, we may award the prize to your parent/legal guardian on your behalf; and

WHAT ARE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING?
Your odds of winning this Challenge depend on the number of eligible entries we receive.

WHAT OTHER CONDITIONS ARE YOU AGREEING TO BY ENTERING THIS CHALLENGE?
By entering this Challenge you agree:

o To abide by these Official Rules; and

o To release and hold harmless Microsoft, and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Challenge or any prize won; and

o That Microsoft’s decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Challenge; and

o That by accepting a prize, Microsoft may use of your proper name and state of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Challenge, without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.

WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE WAY THIS CHALLENGE IS EXECUTED AND ADMINISTRATED?
This Challenge will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Washington for any disputes arising out of this Challenge.

WHAT IF SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS AND THE CHALLENGE CAN’T RUN AS PLANNED?
If cheating, a virus, bug, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled, (also referred to as force majeure) affects the fairness and / or integrity of this Challenge, we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Challenge. This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Challenge, we reserve the right to select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Challenge.

If you attempt to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Challenge by hacking or by cheating or committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek damages from you to the fullest extent permitted by law. Further, we may ban you from participating in any of our future Challenge, so please play fairly.

HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT WHO WON?
We will post the winners on @SQLServer each day as they are determined.

WHO IS SPONSORING THIS CHALLENGE?
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052