I'm the only IT guy at a small non-profit, and we were looking to get a subcription service for me to use, to download OS and Server related products to try out, before we put the money aside to buy anything. My choices are, Technet, Action Pack, or some MSDN. What would you guys recommend, for one person to use? One of my main goals is to be able to have a single, fully functional Vista in a few months to try out in our work environment.
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Which MS Subscription Service?
- Thread starter djnes
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I'd normally suggest Action Pack, since it's geared more for OS/Server than for programming.
But then I just read something interesting the other day...
https://partner.microsoft.com/US/program/managemembership/actionpack/40016472
Which makes me wonder if Vista will be included in future Action Pack releases. It's something to consider.
(and I'm assuming you know about http://www.techsoup.org/stock/default.asp?cg=nav&sg=donated&visit=1)
But then I just read something interesting the other day...
https://partner.microsoft.com/US/program/managemembership/actionpack/40016472
Which makes me wonder if Vista will be included in future Action Pack releases. It's something to consider.
(and I'm assuming you know about http://www.techsoup.org/stock/default.asp?cg=nav&sg=donated&visit=1)
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Action Pack is technically just for MS resellers but would be the cheapest option at only three hundred bucks. It does not however offer downloads. They send you quarterly packages. It is a crapload of software though and includes licenses (for internal use only) for ten copies of most all desktop apps and OS's and at least one license for each server app and OS plus 10 CAL's. You will also get one OEM (any use) version of several apps. The october update did include Vista Beta and hopefully the january update will include release code for Vista. If it's a production released OS you will get it.
This is the current Action Pack contents...
https://partner.microsoft.com/40013779
EDIT - I did not know that about XP Pro. We have subscribed for about 5 years and we have the full version of XP that came with our subscription from a few years ago. I guess you could always load a bogus XP home and then upgrade it to a legit XP Pro....
Not that I would reccomend installing any pirated software.
This is the current Action Pack contents...
https://partner.microsoft.com/40013779
EDIT - I did not know that about XP Pro. We have subscribed for about 5 years and we have the full version of XP that came with our subscription from a few years ago. I guess you could always load a bogus XP home and then upgrade it to a legit XP Pro....
Not that I would reccomend installing any pirated software.TechSoup does have some incredible deals. We do have an account with them. I was hoping to be able to try out a lot of products with a subscription service, before we place orders with TechSoup. Many of their donating brands put limits on the number of products per year you can order.
swatbat
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djnes said:
I've had an action pack for 3 or 4 years now. I think it is a great service. Techsoup is also a great site. Helped one of my clients save a lot of money.
swatbat
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djnes said:
Yep. Your first shipment will be pretty big. Talking about action packs the OCT shipment gets mailed out tommorrow. MS use to mail out binders to put your action pack stuff in as well but one of the guys I work with ordered his this year for the first time and they didn't give him any. He also had to request the OEM copies of the software as they didn't auto include it. Still a very good deal. It is like 400 the first year, 300 to renew.