For the past several years, I have been beta testing the upcoming versions of QuickBooks as they got the program ready for its annual release. For the 2006 version, Intuit is opening the doors to even more testers, as they hope to uncover more problems before releasing the final version to the public. For the first time that I can recall, they are also offering a prize to one of the 5,000 testers. 

Warning: The file that needs to be downloaded is 387 MB; so only apply if you have a good broadband internet connection.  In previous years, those of us without broadband had a choice to receive a CD-ROM of the program.   That’s not available this year.  We just had DSL service installed a few weeks ago; so I am going to give this download a try later tonight after my online radio shows are over.  

 Following is the email I received from Intuit announcing this opportunity.  

Subject: QuickBooks Test Drive Offer To Your Clients

(This email is being sent to you because you are a valued QuickBooks ProAdvisor(R)).

Dear Kerry Kerstetter,

Recently Intuit sent out an offer to a group of QuickBooks users encouraging them to test-drive the next version of QuickBooks (codenamed "Denali") with a prize drawing as an incentive for participation.

You may have seen this email, or had inquiries about it from your clients. We have received questions about it, and want to assure you that this is a legitimate request from Intuit.  We are truly offering one lucky winner the option to choose from the list of prizes below.  We would appreciate it if you would participate in this test and forward this request to your clients encouraging them to participate too.  The first 5,000 participants will be entered in the drawing for the winner's choice of prize mentioned below. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Chris Rabourn at 650-944-2635.

Below is the original email:

Dear Kerry Kerstetter,

Welcome to the Denali 5000! "Denali" is the codename for our next version of QuickBooks, and we are asking 5000 of our QuickBooks drivers to take Denali ONCE around the track!  By participating in this test, you will _help us make QuickBooks better, get a sneak peek at the next version of QuickBooks, and have a chance to win your choice of a 7-day trip to Hawaii for two, a 42" plasma TV or $2,000 in cash!

To participate in this test, you will need to download and install the Beta version of QuickBooks, update a copy of your current QuickBooks data file, do a few activities and then complete a short survey.  You will then uninstall the Beta version and continue using your existing version of QuickBooks.  For most participants, this will take 30 to 60 minutes.  In case you experience any difficulty, we will have a team of support engineers available to help you.

If you are interested in helping us with this field test, please click on the link below to complete an online Non-Disclosure Agreement for pre-release software.  You will then have access to The Denali 5000 website where you can download the software. Because of the large file size, high speed internet access is required. The Denali 5000 is open to current QuickBooks for Windows users only. The online survey is the official entry form for the sweepstakes drawing, and only the first 5,000 users who complete the online survey are eligible for the sweepstakes drawing.

Please copy this link into your browser: http://beta.intuit.com/D5KSU/default.html

Thank you for helping us make QuickBooks a better product for you and the millions of other QuickBooks users!

-- The QuickBooks "Denali" Team

A single prize will be given away to one Grand Prize Winner. The Grand Prize Winner will select one of the following three prizes: a 42" Plasma Screen Television, or a trip for two to Hawaii, or a cash prize of two thousand dollars ($2,000). To see the contest rules, please copy this link into your browser: http://beta.intuit.com/D5K/content/readme.cfm

- posted by Kerry M. Kerstetter, MBA~CPA~ATP~ATA @ 8/10/2005 12:23:00 PM Send this post: