How would you like to get a legit copy of all Microsoft software --- full no install-limit, no-time-limit versions of Microsoft Office, Vista, Server... everything including Operating Systems (28 versions), Updated Products (14), Applications (48), Business Solutions (25), Servers (62), TechNet Technical Library (1), TechNet Technical Training (5) and Tools and Resources (29); thousands of dollars worth of software in total --- all for $349?
Microsoft's"Technet Plus Direct" lets you "evaluate all Microsoft full version software without time limits, and get Professional Support, technical resources and more." It's currently on sale, but even the standard price is awfully good.
Again: With a subscription to TechNet Plus, you'll get Win7, when it comes out, and meanwhile, *everything else* (Microsoft Office, Vista, Server... everything!) with no time or installation limits.
I had let my old TN subscription lapse, but renewed a week ago. In previous subscriptions, I had to fill out a little questionnaire, but this time, a Live ID and a credit card is all it took, no questions asked at all.
The catch is really an ethical one. Technet is intended for people who support others in their computer use. A Technet subscription isn't meant as a way to do an end run around standard licensing. The idea is to let those in support roles gain easy access to the full range of Microsoft software, and to let them use it for an extended time in order to understand the software and become proficient with it.
If you're the formal or de-facto IT person for your office or home office, you probably qualify.
You can order direct from Microsoft here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx . You may luck out and catch a sale (I did!) which knocks $100 off the price. But even at the full price, you're getting no-install-limit, no-time-limit access to thousands of dollars worth of software for a few hundred bucks.
Again, this isn't a way to set up Aunt Martha and your buddy down the street with a cheap copy of valid software. Please don't use it for that! But if you really do perform valid IT-type services (testing, installing, troubleshooting, maintaining...) of Microsoft software for yourself and others, then this could be a great way to get all your personally-owned PCs running with the latest software without having to take out a second mortgage.
Hope this info helps some of you to save some serious bucks! =)
Probably worth noting that use in a "production environment" is specifically excluded. Most home users won't need to worry about that but business users should be careful - especially on the server front.
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly. It's NOT a way to do an end run around normal licensing. You can't, for example, use your Technet subscription to roll out Vista or Office to 50 or 100 PCs. (Or, for that matter, to give copies of the software to your friends and relatives.)
ReplyDeleteBut if you really do perform valid IT-type services (testing, installing, troubleshooting, maintaining...) of Microsoft software for yourself and others, then this could be a great way to get all your personally-owned PCs running with the latest software.
I have two hopes for this article:
1) that people who qualify will be able to use it to save some serious money
2) that people *won't* use it to scam or pirate software
Microsoft is offering a helping hand to those of us who support and maintain their products for others. Please don't bite that helping hand! =)
How does Technet Direct Plus compare with Microsoft Action Pack?
ReplyDelete