MS TechNet Plus

philjayj · 25 Oct 2006 at 21:58

Hi

I was just wondering if anyone subscribed (or knew anyone that subscribed) to Microsoft's TechNet Plus?

If so, what do you think of it or what have you been told and what software is available?

I have looked at the MS website but can't make my mind up.

Thanks

Phil

aix0 · 25 Oct 2006 at 22:47

It's a bit on the expensive side in my opinion, £400'ish(?) single user license. But I suppose it's reasonable if it would benefit you.

polomint · 25 Oct 2006 at 23:27

It's £335 ex vat, so if you are employed by a kindly employer the VAT is deducted before payment.

You get a whole bunch of evaluation software and the right to install on up to 10 pc's not used in the line of business.

So if you need to install Office 2003 and XP Pro on more than one pc and you are not entitled to educational discounts then you are ahead of the game.

We have four, going on five pc's in the house. You do the math.

Not to mention server operating systems, Vista when it's released, monthly updates etc.

Seems like a bargain, really... :confused:

philjayj · 26 Oct 2006 at 09:15

There is another version of the subscription for only £275. This is called TechNet Plus Direct - this gives you all the benefits of the more expensive subscriptions except you have to download everything, you receive no monthly CD's.

Think I'll be placing my order later today.

Thanks for your replies.

bitslice · 26 Oct 2006 at 11:31

polomint said:
You get a whole bunch of evaluation software and the right to install on up to 10 pc's not used in the line of business.

(just checking...)
what..., so I can have ten permanent legal copies of XP and Office 2003 on 10 of my home PC's ?

instead of say, buying 10 licences from a retailer ?

what's the catch ? :confused:

.

A[L]C · 26 Oct 2006 at 11:38

Would there be anything to stop 10 people clubbing together? a copy of xp and office for £27.50. Yes please.

philjayj · 26 Oct 2006 at 11:57

Bitslice, there is no catch. The software is intended to be used in a non-production environment, i.e. for the testing of networks and servers etc.

ALC, I believe it is against MS terms and conditions to allow more than one person to use the software that comes with the subscription. Although you can install a piece of software upto ten times on your own machines.

bitslice · 26 Oct 2006 at 13:44

RLBUHT said:
Bitslice, there is no catch. The software is intended to be used in a non-production environment

<cough> ...our whole office is a "non-production environment"

umm, would PC's assigned to "training" come under that title too ?

Anyway, thanks for the info :cool:

This might be a good option for me when Vista is released, as I was wondering how I was going to afford multiple OS upgrades.

It looks like it costs £230 if the company stumps up for it.
(ah well, I can dream...)

.

philjayj · 26 Oct 2006 at 15:59

Bitslice, I've read the terms and conditions of TechNet and you would probably be better off with the MS Actionpack.

TechNet allows you to install the software on upto ten PC's, but only one user is licenced to use the software.

Whereas the Partner Actionpack gives you ten licences for Office and XP (prob Vista when it comes out too) and I believe anyone can use these as long as theyre not in a production environment.

Phil

P.S. Oh, and the Actionpack is cheaper.

bitslice · 26 Oct 2006 at 16:56

umm, I'm not sure how I'm going to separate the two.
Our training setup is essentialy a bunch of PC's set aside just for playing with;
but really they are connected to the same systems that the office PC's are connected to....

MS really need to do a "friends and family" option

The Partner Actionpack seems to involve signing up for something ? but "MS licensing speak" has now destroyed half of my remaining braincells. I urgently need to lie down and grow some more. Will read it again later.

Thanks :cool:

philjayj · 26 Oct 2006 at 17:07

bitslice, add me to MSN - i'll explain all.

[email protected]

lokkers · 26 Oct 2006 at 18:12

eh?? Surely this can't be right... In theory therefore I could sign up to this, pay my subscription and stick XP/Office 2003 on up to ten machines, no catch?

Seems a no-brainer, which is why it sounds far too good to be true!!!!

Echo toxin · 26 Oct 2006 at 18:32

You have to enrol as a Microsoft Partner to get the Action Pack which seems to encur a further enrolment cost and the requirement to be in one of their eligibility categories.

philjayj · 26 Oct 2006 at 21:42

Echo,

To enrol as a Microsoft Partner is free of charge. I have a small sole-trading company and have been a MS partner for over a year and have never paid anything for the membership.

Echo toxin · 4 Nov 2006 at 16:40

Just another question about this - when I was an MSDN subscriber yonks ago, you got different serials for each product available. So for example, you got one key for XP Home and another key for XP Professional, which was kind of like 20 licenses for XP.

Does anyone know if Microsoft are going to do the same for Vista? So you have one key for 10 installs of Home Basic, another key for 10 installs of Home Premium, etc etc.?

Echo toxin · 8 Nov 2006 at 19:44

*bump*

Is Vista RTM going to be available to Technet Plus users anytime soon now that it's gone gold?

philjayj · 9 Nov 2006 at 16:18

I contacted the TechNet Plus helpline based in Ireland and even they haven't been informed when the full version will be released via the TechNet subscription.

Vai · 9 Nov 2006 at 16:55

Echo toxin said:
*bump*

Is Vista RTM going to be available to Technet Plus users anytime soon now that it's gone gold?

Vista is supposed to be available to Technet and MSDN subscribers by next Wednesday.

Echo toxin · 13 Nov 2006 at 14:33

Luvly jubbly. If I can persuade my Dad to go halves with me on the subscription, we'll get the Technet Plus for £140 notes each. A bargain on Vista and Office 2007 at that price.

Gibbs · 13 Nov 2006 at 14:49

you could always nip over to Dublin in December and go to the MS TechNet event and get Vista Home for free