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Credit to dampier @ SD :
The Microsoft Technet Plus Subscription is back as of June 1st with a new student discount coupon code, bringing the annual cost to $99 + applicable sales tax. No student verification is required. A Technet subscription at this price gives you access to DOWNLOADABLE versions of most Microsoft software products, including XP and Vista, with a multi-use license/activation code good for up to 10 installs/activations per product. If you require additional codes, they are generally available upon request. You can watch a short informational video here: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6597647
This subscription does not auto-renew. Allow three-five business days after ordering for your login credentials to be provided -and- activated on the Microsoft Technet server. You can choose how you wish to download these products. Many are available in .ISO format for direct burning to DVD media, but you can also download compressed versions and, for some products, even versions that are split up for burning on CD media.
Activation codes do not expire, even after the subscription ends.
Technet Subscription Features
Access to all TechNet Plus resources via the members-only TechNet Plus benefits portal for an individual user. Does not include DVD shipments.
Full-version evaluation software without time limits
Beta software releases
Technical Information Library
Professional Support Incidents (2 included)
Managed newsgroups
Online concierge Chat
Technical training resources and Microsoft E-Learning Courses
Microsoft Operating Systems:
Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2003 R2
Compute Cluster
Windows SharePoint Services
SQL Server:
Application Platform Servers BizTalk Server, Commerce Server, Host Integration Server, Connected Services Framework, Customer Care Framework
Business Productivity Servers Content Management Server, Exchange Server, Office Live Communications Server, Office Forms Server, Office Groove Server, Office PerformancePoint Server, Speech Server, Sharepoint Server, Windows Sharepoint Services
IT Operations Servers: Identity Integration Server, Microsoft System Center, Microsoft Operations Manager, Microsoft System Center Capacity Planner, Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager, Systems Management Server, ISA Server
Windows Vista including: Ultimate/Enterprise/Business
Windows XP including: Professional/Tablet PC Edition
Office 2007 Product Line
Office Ultimate/Enterprise/Professional Plus/Professional 2007
Office Word, Office Excel, Office PowerPoint, Office Outlook & Business Contact Manager, Office Access
Office Publisher, Office InfoPath, Office OneNote, Office Communicator, Office Groove, Office SharePoint Designer, Office Visio, Office Project Standard
Office Accounting, Office Business Scorecard Manager, MapPoint, Office FrontPage
Office Project Professional
Office Project Server, Office Project Portfolio Server
Microsoft Dynamics Product Line
Dynamics AX, GP, NAV, SL, Microsoft Forecaster & Microsoft FRx
Dynamics CRM, Point of Sale, Microsoft Small Business Accounting & Financials
Order Instructions
Step One:
Vist http://technet.microsoft.com/en-u...fault.aspx.
Step Two:
Click blue box on right labeled: Microsoft Technet Subscriptions - Buy or renew now!
Step Three:
On this screen, the only box you care about is the one on the left where you choose which version you want. Select the first option: TechNet Plus Direct (ignore price). Ignore the boxes on your right just above the generic blond clipart lady asking for login/subscriber ID. Those are for upgrades/renewals only - you are a new subscriber.
Step Four:
Enter Promotional code: TNSD03 in the box at the bottom.
Step Five:
Your order should show the $99 price, plus applicable sales tax. Complete order using credit card or check and submit.
Important: Do not attempt to resubmit your order if you experience a technical error during processing. Allow 5-10 minutes and check your e-mail box. Due to server load, errors sometimes occur in the confirmation message presented to you, even though the order processed. You may receive a confirmation e-mail for your order anyway. The e-mail confirmation is from: [email protected] and will be titled, "Microsoft Order in Process -- Order Number: xxxxxxxxxxxxx." Check your spam box before assuming it didn't arrive.
Some Common Questions Answered:
Q. Is this for real? I really get ten licenses?
A. I wondered this myself several years ago when I got in on these programs - first with the Action Pack (which sent you a huge binder of CD media with all of their products) and now with Technet (which at this price makes you download the software instead.) Yes, it's completely for real. I have been a subscriber for several years now. These are the full versions, not "trials," "expiring samplers," or software that later gets deactivated. I still have one computer running XP from an Action Pack subscription more than four years old.
In general, most Microsoft software available through Technet uses a single, multi-use activation code that can be used up to ten times before you need to request a new code (or to reset the old one). This code can be used for ten installs. That can be ten installs on ten different computers or ten installs on one computer. It doesn't matter to Microsoft. The code is generated upon request immediately and it's one code per product (not product line). That means one code for Vista Premium good for 10 activations, one code good for 10 activations of Vista Business, one code good for 10 activations of XP Professional 32 bit, one code good for ten activations of XP Professional 64 bit, and so on.
Q. Is student ID required?
A. No identification is requested during the ordering stage or fulfillment of your order.
Q. How long is this coupon code good?
A. As with the last deal, the coupon expiration date will likely be irrelevent. These coupon codes are typically invalidated quickly after they go live due to the SD Effect (among other deal sites), when Microsoft sees a huge spike in orders they presume are from "unqualified" users. You snooze, you lose. Once an order is accepted, it is processed, so you don't have to worry about orders being cancelled once in the system. But future orderers won't get the discount.
Q. How may these products be used in the real world?
A. From Microsoft: "Software included in TechNet Plus Subscriptions is provided with rights to evaluate. Licensed users may install included content on any number of devices for evaluation purposes only. Only the licensed subscriber may use the included products." In the real world, home users can use these products to "evaluate" forever. They are not trial versions, will always be validated when the Microsoft "Genuine Advantage" license checks are performed by Windows Update, and never expire. However, I would consider it risky to use these products in a corporate or business setting (outside of their intended "evaluation" purpose of course). Usually a disgruntled employee is the source of a tip off to the authorities that license violations are occuring, and the penalties in a business environment can be substantial.
Q. Will I be able to get product updates after my subscription expires?
A. Yes, through Windows/Microsoft Update just like any other Microsoft product. All existing product activation keys and licenses will also continue to be valid. However, you will no longer be able to access the Technet site to download new complete versions of software or generate new activation keys/licenses.
Q. Can I get media sent to me?
A. Yes, but for a much higher price. Honestly, burn your own. These products download very fast via Microsoft, which uses Akamai for software delivery (at least for me). It should come close to maxing out your broadband connection.
Q. How long does it take before I get access.
A. Five to seven business days as of two weeks ago. Your order travels through multiple Microsoft offices in different states before your credentials are loaded into the Technet system. It's a bureaucracy what can I say. Sometimes your credentials arrive in e-mail one day before they will work on the Technet system, so if they aren't recognized on the day you receive them in e-mail, try again at the end of the next business day.
Q. Is this deal good outside of the United States?
A. No, with the chance I am wrong about Canada. If I am right: Canadians - find a U.S. friend who can help you complete an order. You get an extra built-in discount because the Loonie is worth something these days, unlike the U.S. dollar. You can reimburse your American friend.
