Who qualifies for a TechNet subscription

Draceena - Very True! Plus for myself I was asked by MS back in 2001 to be one of the BETA testers for XP in April of that year.

Now as of today I have been asked to become a member of the Microsoft Online Research Panel which does surveys and feedback for Microsoft.

I guess IMHO, I'm way qualified.

So you guys are saying I could purchase a TechNet subscription and then install the downloaded software to a newly built PC. Once activated the PC is good to go for life because the keys are good forever regardless of the wording "for evaluation".

I now understand that anyone is qualified.
My question now is how the software can be used before it is classified as pirating?

To answer the first question, YES. As long as the system is in the subscriber's possession there are no issues.

You're definitely qualified, particularly since your a forum moderator and such a kind, generous, and gifted individual. ()

Now if you give a key or keys to some products to let's say your boss or the county coroner or your Aunt's hairdresser then that would be considered pirating.

As long as you have your own OS, you may use the software. Your OS (OEM or Retail) does NOT have to be installed, it can be backed up. The point is that you're supposed to have your own OS.

I've had no problems whatsoever, I have most every version of XP, Vista & Windows 7 (32 & 64 bit), as well as an Office for each. Counting my VM's, I'm running nine TechNet supplied OS's, and six Offices. Only two of them are my OEM OS's.

There is no time limit on the software, that was posted on the link that I provided last night. Even after your membership has ended, you can log on and recover your issued keys, but can't get new ones until you resubscribe.

It's all in the documentation.

Cat

Cat - You need to get outdoors more... really! You have way too much time on your hands.

Your wife must have the patience and perseverance of Job! (Biblical, not Steve.)

There is no conflict of policies there. With respect, your link refers to subscription details.(subscription being for only 12 months, as Cat said). Cat's link refers to subscription benefits. As Nibiru pointed out, I the magic word there is "access" to the keys. You must make a copy, or download the keys, as you "access" them. When your account expires, you no longer can access them through the benefits site. However, on renewal, you will find they are once again available . - the same keys, not a new batch.

Looking through this thread, I read that Cliffs dillema is not with the Technet subscription, but the use of such software by members of this site. (??). Perhaps this is really walking along a very thin line. Leave out the Technet issue, for a moment. I am certain, without having the knowledge to prove it, that there are members here who are using illegal (read "pirated") copies of software , including MS OSs, obtained from other sources than Technet subscriptions.. It can sometimes be detected through questions asked, concerning problems which have only occurred through the use of bad material.
Maybe many would disagree, but I do not consider it any concern of sites such as this to pry into this aspect. The only consideration is to ensure that links, and methods to counterfeit pirate materials are not allowed.

Fwiw. I think,with the recent reduction, for new subscribers, of the number of available keys, MS have struck the first wedge into the Technet subscription. It is obviously, because of it's misuse, causing pirating problems for MS. I would forecast it's closure to all but vetted applicants in the future.
As with other sites, there are MS employees on these pages. They will, without prejudice, read threads such as this, and the opinions expressed will find their way back into the melting pot in the Microsoft organisation.

You're right, I do have a lot of time on my hands. And messing around with OS's & computers is a great way to kill it. At one time, I was very outgoing, I loved to go anywhere where the party was. Drank until I dropped, and can't begin to count the number of times that I did drop, but my wife probably can.

Then, when I became ill, and had no more free beer (and good cooking on the grill) to hand out, I found out who my friends really are. I'm now a loner, living a sheltered life, just trying to pass the day away. Thanks to TechNet, my days passes fairly fast. My mind is on something other than pain.

My wife gets onto me sometimes, but I've learned to let it pass from one ear through the other. After 22 years of marriage, it's not quite like a honeymoon any longer, but our marriage is still functional. While she may crawl my butt sometimes about the time I spend keeping up these computers, at the same time, she wouldn't allow for anyone to mess with them while I'm gone.

Cat

I call those "buddies" because when the beer, smoke and food run out they're nowhere to be seen. True friends never act that way, but unfortunately they're very few and far between.

I do agree with you.

I'm not trying to pry into anyones affairs. I am considering a subscription for myself and need to know how the subscription is to be used. At first I was thinking I needed to qualify. Now its a question of how the keys are to be used.

I found one technical writer state that he dropped his subscription and realized the keys should not be used even though they remained active. I wish I had saved that location. I tried to find it again later and couldn't. This one statement is contrary to what we have posted on more than one occasion.

As a Moderator, I should know what "is" or "is not" allowed to be posted. Call me what you like, I have my reasons for asking and see no reason I should withdraw the questions.

Cliff - you have perfectly valid points here, regarding your potential purchase of a TechNet subscription.

I believe davehc misconstrued your thoughts and comments regarding the subscription and related policies pertaining to it.

His blanket statement:
First of all if one can't prove the previous statement, then it should not be made, that's being disingenuous and accusatory of members. Sure there probably are some who have pirate copies of software, but a "substantial" number? The use of the word implies "nearly all" as that is how I read the definition of substantial, and therefore I don't believe so.

Usually we can discern from the OPs comments about whether or not they're using "pirated software", that's because they're such goobers most of the time and plainly state that fact.