Microsoft TechNet Plus Subscriptions Now Available at 25% OFF

Got this in my email today! Offer good until 7-31-2010!

I LOVE MS! By then I'll have the money saved up; woohoo!

Watch out for the link though, it may take you to the United Kingdom MS website.

Just change the country on the drop-down menu in the upper-right corner of the window navigation bar.



Office 2010 and Windows 7 available now!
Get access to full version copies of Office 2010 and Windows 7 through TechNet Plus Subscription.

Act now to save up to 25%* on your TechNet Plus Direct subscription. With this subscription, you can get your hands on Windows 7 Enterprise and even Office 2010 Professional Plus before it hits general availability! Learn firsthand how to optimize your desktop environment to take advantage of all the features of Office 2010 and Windows 7. Act now to save up to 25%*
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A TechNet Plus Direct subscription gives you access to:

• Service packs, betas and full-version Microsoft software** without time or feature limits for evaluation and planning purposes
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TechNet Plus Subscription provides you the technical resources and support to help you run an efficient IT environment.


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I got this deal through the last deal that Nibiru posted, and believe me, you're getting your money's worth, and then some. For less than the price of full retail Windows 7 Pro, you get it all! That office suite showed above is being pre-ordered right now for $499.99, for Professional Plus. There are two other options. But why even bother with buying separate OS's, office packs, servers & so much more, including online training, when you can have it all. My subscription cost $282.02 after tax. If I were to buy from Microsoft Store what I've downloaded in the last week, I would have spent over $1800. You have access to OS's going all the way back to 3.1. And what's even better, you can get up to 10 keys for each OS that's on the list! No matter how you stack this deal up, there's no negative about it. Download & Enjoy!

not in Canada, eh? Pitty!

Or for the UK ... as far as I can see

Don't wait much longer, this deal will run out as supplies are deleted. Oftentimes on many specials, there is a pre-set number (although they don't say this), and once this number is reached, you may be left out. That's why I acted early. The sooner you act, the sooner you'll get your benefits (which are HUGE!).

Really huge. But it depends on how much of that software you can use, for your own pure interest or for development.
I have waited for some years for the other shoe to drop, if you know what I mean, but still have not fathomed this generous convenience.
On the other hand, many may have a huge use for testing all that gear, but I would assess that on the whole, I have probably paid ,through the subscription, for more than I have actually used, and kept, on my computer.
Perhaps it is so in the majority of subscribers, and Microsoft are aware of that, which is possibly the catch.

It is a great convenience to me, as I only download what I use. I now have Vista SP2 on my laptop, while it's not as good as Windows 7, it does look better than 7 on that laptop. And a fresh copy of XP Pro SP3 as well. Ultimate & Office 2010 Professional Plus on my desktop. I couldn't possibly afford all of this software buying each program. Then, there will be the beta of the next Windows at some point, followed by the full version. Microsoft knows what's going on, but they're getting $300 a year (US Dollars) per year from the subscribers. They're making plenty of money, or they wouldn't be doing it. It's also another steady source of income for them between OS releases. A win-win deal for all parties. As long as it's not abused, and the software is on your computer(s), I don't see where it's a problem. However, for a business user, this can be a big problem, because the EULA states that the software is not to be used in a production/business environment. It's for personal use only, to evaluate the software. There's also several courses that you can take to help you stay up to date (if that's possible) with new technologies. There's a lot more than OS's and office software for download here. It provides you with a lot of knowledge, and I read articles on the site on a daily basis. Being homebound, as I am, I enjoy being able to read and learn things that I otherwise would not be able to do. $300 yearly ($25 monthly) is a small price to pay for everything that you get in return.

I DON'T think MS will run out of subscriptions. They're not a Wal-Mart or Best Buy where there's a certain quantity on-hand.

Sounds like some of your sales manager training coming into play here Cat! LOL!

The discount ends on 7-31-2010 and not a day sooner.

"However, for a business user, this can be a big problem, because the EULA states that the software is not to be used in a production/business environment. It's for personal use only, to evaluate the software. "

Not quite. It may be a matter of interpretation!
What it says is,
" If you comply with this agreement, for each license you acquire, you have the rights below."
"One user may install and use copies of the evaluation software "
"You may use the evaluation software only to evaluate it.

"You may not use it in a live operating, in a staging environment or with data that has not been sufficiently backed up."

"modify it for your internal purposes;
use it (modified or not) to provide support services to your customer;
distribute it without modification to your customers, as part of your support services, for their internal use."

I read point 4 as an intended protection, should the evaluation model screw up the environment where it is being used. Only one person is in control of the evaluation, working as an advisor to those who are being instructed in any new techniques.??
Nothing about for personal use only. In fact I would say it's primary purpose is for the testing and evaluation by corporations.

You're right, it's can be used to train employees with. But it can't be used in a production environment. For example, it can't be used to monitor production (linked to machines), or to actually conduct business with (doing accounting work, or tax returns, etc.). That's what I meant regarding the production/business deal. The employees can be taught how to use the software to conduct business & monitor production with, yes, but not actually conduct business or monitor production with it. It's learning software, not profit generating software.

When you click onto the main page of the TechNet website, prior to signing in, go to the bottom of the page, and click "Terms of Use". There is a long list of terms. The third on the list is "Personal and Non-Commercial Use Limitation". There, it states that "Unless otherwise specified, the Services are for your personal and non-commercial use". There is a ton of information on this page regarding the terms of membership. I read it carefully prior to making a decision to join. It goes on and on, even saying to protect your password. It's a fairly easy to understand document. But I have no problem with the EULA, I'm not using it for business anyway. It is a great program to be a part of, and I hope that Microsoft continues to offer this program, it's good for their business, and good for their customers.