Nice find. Green for you.

Thanks Aggie, thanks happypants, order placed.

Do you need to renew like Action pack to keep your software license legal or are this perpetual license like MSDN ? Once you get license after year if you dont want to subscribe can you still use software ? and is it legal ?

Is Visual Studio 2008 included in TechNet?

Linky

The Action Pack is designed for companies that are going to offer MS based solutions to their client or customer base. The Action Pack actually licenses software to you for use internally. It's intended for smaller companies that need a "quick start" into the world of being a Microsoft Partner. So you get licensed versions of Office, Vista, Exchange...etc to use internally (in many cases you get 5-10 licenses for individuals). I actually just purchased a version of the Action Pack that is also giving me versions of VS 2008 and Expression tools that I can use.

TechNet is mainly for the IT professional that needs access to software for evaluation purposes (each is licensed to only one individual and is to be used for evaluation purposes only). I see this as being valuable for an IT professional that already works for a company who is interested in implementing some MS solutions into their IT infrastructure. TechNet also gives you access to a wider offer of training and knowledge resources (free E-Learning courses for examples).

In short, if you are a company just getting into offering MS solutions, look into the Action Pack. If you are an IT professional and need to enrich your understanding of MS offerings for your company, look into the TechNet subscription.

Here's a couple more links that highlight the contents of the subscriptions:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/bb404693.aspx#learn

https://partner.microsoft.com/40013779

well it is confusing as per site

"Microsoft software licensed for evaluation purposes: Evaluate full-version commercial products--without time limits or feature limits, including Windows Vista™ Microsoft Office System and Exchange Server 2007. With full-version software, IT Professionals can make informed decisions about new technologies and deployments at their own pace."

but it doesnot mention what happens once you dont renew or why Visual Studio 2008 is not part of "commercial products".

unixadmin said:I have the cost of Action Pack at $299 plus shipping.

TechNet costs $599 or $349 if you download all your software. - 40% for coupon.

Is this right?

Yes.

Can you please elaborate on how many license keys of each production you get. Specifically I'm interested in Vista Ultimate, and other posts here at FW and a few at SD seem to indicate 10 licenses per Windows OS (non-server).

Thanks!

-DC

barfy said:zulu2003 said:I want to build a small lab at home with 1-2 Windows Server 2008 and 2-3 Vista workstations. Can I generate enough license keys to create this environment only using this single TechNet subscription?


Z.

Yes, you can,
My subscription gave me one server license for all server software versions and I got 10 licenses for XP pro and Vista business.
1 for Vista uLT.

A bunch for office, visio etc.
You can request additional licenses..

kshell said:Aggie said:Code will give 40% off either option (direct or DVD) for new subscribers! Straight from San Antonio W2K8 launch event. This is a better deal than the 100 off discussed on fatwallet here.

Windows 2008 launch event is also a hot deal for the free software (W2k8 enterprise w/ hyperV coupon, Visual Studio Standard, SQL 2008)!

Coupon Code: TMSAML06

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/bb892754.aspx
Thanks for the Technet code. I must of missed it in 2008 launch kit handouts.

It should be pointed out that the license for the W2008 and SQL 2008 servers are time limited to one year. If anyone plans on using the servers longer than that they should consider the Technet subscription.

Visual Studio Standard has no time limit. VS bells and whistles features highlighted at the launch are in the Pro or Team versions.

Also note:
Microsoft's license prohibits you to "use it for commercial software hosting services"
It is for evaluation/testing and not commercial purposes only.
If you are hosting a website, you need to buy the 1 processor license of SQL 2008.

The above will matter if you get a BSA audit.

B0HEMIAN said:any info about expiration date of TMSAML06 ?
The code should be good through May 30, 2008.