One Year Online – iTunes Promotion

 

The site has been online for a year now, so to commemorate the event, I’m holding a small contest/give-away!

Here are the rules:

  • You must leave a comment on this post
  • You must leave a first and last name, as well as a valid email address when you post the comment (so I can reach you)
  • The comment may be about anything, but comments concerning Macworld, the site, the podcast, or Macs in general would be great.
  • Comments must be submitted no later than January 14th 2007 at 11:59pm EST. Contest opens at time of posting, today. That’s 8 days of commenting.

The winner will be chosen by a random number. As a short explanation, I have a short app that I wrote that takes a random number, then divides that number by the total of valid comments. I take the remainder for that division and will look at that comment. If that comment isn’t valid, I look at the next, until I find a valid one. If I reach the end of the comments, I will start at the beginning. It’s basically a hash function, for those that are more technically inclined to that stuff.

The prize is a $30 dollar (USD) iTunes Gift Certificate that will be delivered via email. I will contact the winner shortly after the deadline to make sure everything is all set, then send the gift certificate on its way.

Let’s make this a fun experience so I may be inclined to do future promotions!

Contest Closed and Winner Contacted

The contest is over and the winner was Lindsey Hardegree. Congratulations Lindsey!

For those that were interested in the way I found the winner, I wrote a simple application to find the winner. I have the code online to view here.

Comments (39) Leave a Comment
  1. Josh January 6th, 2007 at 17:18 | #1

    i have a powerbook g4 and i haved told you about this situation on aim before, but today i took my computer to the Apple Store and they got it taking care of, a new battery is on its way. As far as your site, i do enjoy keeping up with it. i read several blogs and each one had different things which is something i love because i hate blogs that copy each other, i know its not really their fault but seeing the same things over and over makes it seem that way. keep up the good work!!! Thanks Josh Eudy

  2. Chris January 6th, 2007 at 23:09 | #2

    Love the site matt it has a little of everything in it but still focused around one thing Apple. Ok thing at mac world, well there is i life’07, maybe all new everything in the hardware region, there maybe something on the lines of a iPhone / Apple Newton, maybe tablet macBooks and hopefully jaguar. Well thats i thoughts on mac world.

  3. Taylor Olson January 7th, 2007 at 00:09 | #3

    This is a great site and a great podcast. As I was looking for the iTunes Promotion button, I was looking for somewhere really complicated when it was right in front of my face. I really enjoy the podcast I think it has really interesting information.

  4. Bill Dungan January 7th, 2007 at 13:04 | #4

    I get a lot of great information from your podcast. I am a switcher. Also I enjoy the music.

  5. Mark Howson January 7th, 2007 at 17:13 | #5

    Cool new site design. MacWorld should be interesting, hope the iPhone works in the UK. Also, I love the way you’re so easily accessible by the site, not many blogs provide iChat. You should consider Meebo Me, at http://www.meebome.com

  6. paul burd January 8th, 2007 at 21:08 | #6

    Cooooool! free tunes.

    The new site design is looking pretty nice.

    Keep up the good work.

  7. Nytemagik January 9th, 2007 at 15:50 | #7

    I just subscribed to your Podcasts and enjoyed the Typinator review.

    The site looks good and I enjoy your “take” onthe mac and software.

    John King
    nytemagik@crossedfloggers.com

  8. Nate Orloff January 10th, 2007 at 13:12 | #8

    Although the iPhone is aazing, and Apple TV is something I wil be buying, I wanted more about MACS at MACworld.

  9. Kishore January 10th, 2007 at 13:12 | #9

    Hai i really enjoy reading your blog.. The content is nicely arranged and being a MAC fan i really like to get updated on apple products

    keep going…

  10. dennis cheatham January 10th, 2007 at 13:17 | #10

    Nice to have another Mac-evangelista site to add to my RSS feeds. Keep up the good work and looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

    About Macworld… AppleTV and iPhone – awesome: but I’m ready for a rev on the Mac Pro and to see what Leopard can really do. Cheers!

  11. Josh Tishhouse January 10th, 2007 at 13:31 | #11

    Here’s my comment :)

    It’s actually my first visit to your site, but I was referred by OneDigitalLife. I have to say, this site is not bad.

    Congrats, you’re bookmarked :)

    PS: can’t wait until I get myself an iPhone!

  12. mike drechsel January 10th, 2007 at 14:06 | #12

    I was directed here by One Digital Life. I hadn’t known about your website before, but after looking at some of the material you publish, I’ve now added you to my rss list. Congratulations on the one-year anniversary.

  13. Luke Dooley January 10th, 2007 at 14:11 | #13

    I think the most exciting facet of the iPhone is the fact that it unveils the future of the iPod. If the technology exists to do widescreen, touchscreen, no button on this device, than I’m sure we will see all (or at least the larger/video) ipods go to this format soon!

  14. Lindsey Hardegree January 10th, 2007 at 14:21 | #14

    I’ve contemplated switching to Mac off and on for a while. Thanks for a great resource to help me figure things out!

  15. Simone Manganelli January 10th, 2007 at 16:33 | #15

    So who else thinks the iPhone is a revolutionary product, but still isn’t interested in one? I hate cell phones and have no desire to get one, yet the iPhone seems much, much better than any of the other lame cell phones that I’ve used.

    Are there any cell phones out there that get close at all to the iPhone’s sleek and simple interface?

  16. Glenn Wolsey January 10th, 2007 at 16:45 | #16

    Congratulations on the one year anniversary. I would call myself a lurker on this site, I’ve been an avid reader and listener to the podcast for a while not, but this is my first comment.

    Looking forward to seeing where you take the site and podcast in 2007, good luck!

  17. Simon Miller January 10th, 2007 at 16:49 | #17

    Hi!

    Just checking out your site for the first time today – hadn’t heard of it before, but saw it mentioned on One Digital Life. Looks interesting, and you can never have to many Mac sites to check out!

    Hope the contest goes well for you too!

  18. Matt Volenec January 10th, 2007 at 17:23 | #18

    I’m also new to your blog, but it looks interesting. As far as macworld is concerened, I’m loving the new products. First time I’ve wanted everything steve’s announced in a keynote. However, I think the whole community is wondering, “Where’s the software?!” Everyone was expecting a Leopard preview and iLife/iWork. Maybe we’ll see another event before the spring.

  19. Maximillian Hill January 10th, 2007 at 17:24 | #19

    Heard about the iTunes giveaway on onedigitallife and thought I’d drop in and enter. Congrats on the 1 year anniversary.

  20. Daniel Petry January 10th, 2007 at 18:25 | #20

    Weee let’s get it on!

  21. Timothy Griffin January 10th, 2007 at 18:45 | #21

    I need an AppleTV – my life depends on it!

    Oh, and one of the new AirPort Extreme base stations too, please.

  22. Eric Nelson January 10th, 2007 at 20:02 | #22

    Hey, I heard about this on onedigitallife and thought what the heck. I really like the site and the articles. Thanks so much for doing this.

  23. Matt Osmundsen January 10th, 2007 at 21:58 | #23

    After seeing the iPhone, I am now trying to justify buying a fourth iPod. I already have the 2G 10GB iPod, 5G 60GB iPod, and 2G 1GB iPod shuffle. Is that wrong?

  24. Foo Yong Hwee January 11th, 2007 at 00:28 | #24

    I’m pretty disappointed with MacWorld this year.. Was hoping to see more products but the iPhone is definitely cool! Not sure if I’ll be getting one though.. It’ll only reach Asia in 2008 and the price is gonna be pretty high..

    Other than that, the new Airport Extreme is high on my list!

    Great blog and keep it up!

  25. Geoffrey Richard January 11th, 2007 at 00:31 | #25

    The iPhone is really nice but it’s a shame we have to get a 2 years contract with Cingular. Plus, no 3rd Party apps…

  26. jakej720 January 11th, 2007 at 01:15 | #26

    I want an iPhone!

    jacobjacobson (at) gmail (dot) com

    –Jacob Jacobson

  27. Buddy Woods January 11th, 2007 at 06:55 | #27

    Hey matt, how’s it going? Good job on the site updates, it looks great.

  28. Richard Henry January 11th, 2007 at 06:58 | #28

    Sweet redesign over here!

    A $30 Gift Card would be awesome… :-) Pick me, pick me (random number generator)! I have you bookmarked too, great site.

    Rich

  29. Juan Reyes January 11th, 2007 at 08:57 | #29

    Cool…free tunes to go for my new ipod…sweet…I hope that I win…

  30. Ross Graham January 11th, 2007 at 09:01 | #30

    Really enjoyed finding your website and reading through the posts you have here.

    Glad you’re a Camino fan as well. I still have Safari set up as my default web browser on my Mac, but have “created” a gmail email application by pasting the Mail.app icon onto my Camino application, setting the default homepage to gmail.com, removing most of the chrome on the window, and placing a couple links to generate sized popup windows for my Google homepage, gcal, etc in the bookmark bar at the top. It’s wondrous to be able to have rich-text editing within gmail finally. Sure I’m back to copying and pasting email addresses since clicking an email address would result in a new email generated within Safari … but this really is a decent solution.

    ’nuff rambling.

    All the best.

  31. Massimo Peri January 12th, 2007 at 09:27 | #31

    iPhone is wonderful, but very expansive, I think I’ll stay with may 30GB iPod and my Razr.

  32. Regis T. January 12th, 2007 at 22:17 | #32

    Cool site guys, cool promotion as well. Congratulations!

  33. Ashlee January 12th, 2007 at 23:19 | #33

    Hey i was browsin and saw your blog. All I use at home are macs, and i’ve got no complaints

  34. Rodolpho January 13th, 2007 at 09:47 | #34

    awesome promotion! i wish i win because here in my country i can’t buy these cards, there’s no itunes store available

  35. DANIEL JAMES January 13th, 2007 at 11:20 | #35

    i have a powerbook g4 and i’m thinking about getting one a new mac, but should i hold out to see if there are new models coming out soon?

  36. Matthew Mongeau January 14th, 2007 at 00:33 | #36

    I really like the website design. Simple and effective. I do however believe some more color might be nice. Thanks for holding this contest.

  37. Danmaxito January 14th, 2007 at 22:12 | #37

    This site has a great style! Stands out a lot from all those other WP themes. I will be bookmarking this site. Thanks

  38. Matt January 15th, 2007 at 00:07 | #38

    Just wanted to let everyone know that comments for this contest have been closed. You can still post of course, but anything after this won’t meet the deadline for entry.

  39. free ipod touch May 22nd, 2008 at 04:31 | #39

    too late :(

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  1. January 10th, 2007 at 16:49 | #1
  2. January 10th, 2007 at 20:52 | #2

    [...] Want to win a $30 iTunes gift certificate? The Mac Fanatic is celebrating his one year anniversary by giving one away. All you have to do is leave a comment on his iTunes Promotion post, no later than January 14th 2007 at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be drawn at random. Currently, there aren’t many comments, so your odds are pretty good. [...]

  3. January 15th, 2007 at 21:35 | #3

    [...] And we should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once. ~Nietzsche Jan15 I won something!   For once, lil ole me, who NEVER wins contests, won something! In celebration ofbeing online one year, Mac Fanatic held a contest – everyone who commented on his anniversary post would be entered into a contest for a $30 gift certificate to iTunes, and the winner was chosen at random by a script he wrote. [...]

  4. January 16th, 2007 at 06:42 | #4
  5. April 10th, 2007 at 12:22 | #5

    [...] good that is doable and I will be able to setup some sort of contest/giveaway again, similar to the iTunes Giveaway earlier this year.  I might be able to coerce some developers into a free license, so if you have [...]