Technet Subscription - Discount Voucher Codes?

Stuarts

Stuarts

Stuarts

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31 May 2009
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191
Hi Guys,

Hadn't actually heard of Microsofts Technet subscription until the recent (Get if for Free!!!) thing.

Missed that unfortunately, but on looking at it I think technet represents good value at £234.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/subscriptions/ms788692.aspx

So I am seriously considering subscribing.

Obviously don't want to pay full whack when there is a voucher off area.

It looks like in the past they have had 40% off vouchers, as well as $99 for a year deals.

Anyone got a working one of those they can share?

Thanks.

Stuart
 
Fire Wizard said:
The promotion code posted by ricky1981 reduces the price from £234.21 down to £199.08 +VAT. Though, the following promotion code reduces it even further to £187.37 +VAT (Thanks fornowagain :p):

TNCARE09

So, if you're interested in actually subscribing, you can get quite a nice discount.
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You do realise that it's a yearly thing, and you cannot continue using the software if you let your subscription lapse? A lot of things (SQL Server etc.) have 180 day trials, so if it's to demo things that may be cheaper.
 
I've heard conflicting 'facts' about it, some say with 100% certainty they are trial keys that will expire, other say with 100% certainty they are full retail keys that you are supposed to use on a trust basis, but will not expire.*

Doesn't really seem like great value for a home user if you have to pay the price of Vista Ultimate every year tbh. Although $99 for a year might be worth a punt.

*and abusing that would be very naughty.
 
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They are retail keys, that you're supposed to use on an evaluation basis. Although if you're planning on subscribing and using the keys indefinately, you may as well save your cash and just pirate them, it's just as legal.
 
They don't expire.

See also:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=384551

To confirm, I allowed my subscription to lapse last year and have made several installs since then and the keys still work. I mainly use them for test scenarios as well as virtual machines and multi-boot PCs.
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The Technet FAQ says this:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/subscriptions/ms772427.aspx

What is TechNet Plus?

TechNet Plus is a subscription program designed to help IT Professionals prepare for critical issues and plan for future deployments by providing them with fast and convenient access to the latest software for evaluation without time or feature limits; beta releases; Professional Support incidents; and other technical information and tools to get their jobs done faster. Read the TechNet Plus Overview for a list of the features included with a TechNet Plus subscription.
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Ascendancy - The software is to be used for evaluation. The very fact that it is not time limited by Microsoft clearly indicates that they have no problem with people evaulating their software for an indefinite period. And that is a big difference from piracy.

Technet is clearly intended for people to become familiar with the Microsoft line of products, so that they are familar enough with it to recommend it for purchase. That does not preclude them running the software at home to evaluate it. In fact in Microsofts own FAQ they are very clear about that:

The license grants installation and use rights to one user only, for evaluation purposes, on any of the user’s devices, this may include devices at home.
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Clearly this setup works to spread the uptake of Microsofts products, or they wouldn't offer it, and would instead either put a time limit on the keys, or else cancel them at the end of the subscription period.

Seeing as they do neither, it is safe to assume that Technet ultimately makes them money.

Personally I think its a good deal all round. I get to try out software like Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Server, which I would never otherwise try, because they need lengthy periods to properly learn, let alone use. Microsoft makes some money that they otherwise wouldn't, and they get a much increased likelyhood of product licences down the track when users are familiar with the applications of a particular product.

To constantly face the implied accusation that all users who are interested in Technet are simply software pirates, is to misunderstand why Microsoft offers the program. If it didn't overall add to the bottom line, then they simply would not offer it. They are not after all a charity.

Thanks for the key guys. If anyone has any others that give a bigger discount then that would be appreciated.

Stuart
 
Stuarts said:
They don't expire.

...And that is a big difference from piracy.
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The technet terms state the license to use them is only valid whilst you have a valid technet subscription though, whilst the key may not expire if you are not licensed to continue using the software to continue doing so is unlawful.
 
That doesn't make a lot of sense.

They clearly have the ability to stop keys working remotely, as evidenced by their recent fun and games.

If that was the case why do they not stop the keys working?

EDIT - Ok. Here are the licence terms for technet from Microsoft.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/cc294422.aspx

Reading that I can see no mention of what you say:

The technet terms state the license to use them is only valid whilst you have a valid technet subscription though, whilst the key may not expire if you are not licensed to continue using the software to continue doing so is unlawful.
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In fact this is what the licence has to say about installation and use rights:

2.


INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS. If you comply with this agreement, for each license you acquire, you have the rights below.

a.


General.
•

Single User License. If you acquire a single user license, one user may install and use copies of the software on any of your devices.
•

Server License. If you acquire a server license, you may install copies of the software on one server. Any person that has access to that server may install and use the software on any of your devices.

b.


Certain Components.
•

Evaluation Software. One user may install and use copies of the evaluation software listed in the COMPONENTS.TXT file, even if you obtained a server license. 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. If the evaluation software comes with its own license agreement, this agreement will control. If that other license agreement gives you additional rights that do not conflict with express limitations in this agreement, you also have those rights.
•

Windows Server. The 32-bit version of Windows Server includes data storage technology called Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine for Windows. Components of the server software use this technology to store data. You may not otherwise use or access this technology under this agreement.

c.


Other Terms Provided With Software.
•

Pre-Release Code. The software may include pre-release code. The terms that appear with pre-release code apply to your use of it.
•

Third Party Software. The software may include programs licensed by third parties. The terms that appear with those programs apply to your use of them.
•

Other Executables. The software includes tools, utilities, resource kits, patches, updates, and training materials. The terms that appear with those other executables apply to your use of them.
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As far as I can see they have no problem with you evaluating the software on an ongoing basis, and doing so is not unlawful.

If I am missing something then please point it out.
 
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Ok. Going to be getting this in the next few days.

So, if anyone can point me in the direction of a voucher with even bigger savings then that would be good.

Microsoft creates the vouchers, so it would be rude of me to not use the one that provided the biggest overall saving :-)
 
Don't suppose anyone is an MCT or knows one, or just happens to have a discount code that works?

Thanks
Chez
 
Well here is a start:

TechNet Plus Direct and TechNet Plus Single User are licensed to individuals. Software provided through TechNet Plus is for evaluation purposes and cannot be used in a live production environment

You do not indefinitely evaluate software.
You install Office and some games on your machine you are no longer evaluating you are into a production environment.

Can I use evaluation software received in my TechNet Plus subscription at home?

The license grants installation and use rights to one user only, for evaluation purposes, on any of the user’s devices, this may include devices at home. Keep in mind that you may use the evaluation software only to evaluate it. You may not use it in a live operating environment, a staging environment, or with data that has not been sufficiently backed up. You may not use the evaluation software for software development or in an application development environment.
 
Sorry - was just posting about the legality of using Technet at home :)
Basically speaking if you're planning on using it on a production machine - so a machine you use every day fro browsing, gaming etc then really, save your money.

You'd be breaking the license agreement, so what you'd just spent £100+ on you might just as well have pirated as it will be just as legal.
 
stoofa said:
Basically speaking if you're planning on using it on a production machine - so a machine you use every day fro browsing, gaming etc then really, save your money.
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Where are you getting that definition of 'production environment'? Because it's certainly not from Microsoft.
 
Burnsy2023 said:
Where are you getting that definition of 'production environment'? Because it's certainly not from Microsoft.
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You must be speaking to a different person at Microsoft to me then.
As far as our Resellers are concerned Microsoft do not class machines that are browsing the web daily, gaming and doing other "home tasks" as being in a "Evaluation Environment".
So anyone buying Technet for that reason - as a cheap way of getting software licenses for home use should save their cash as they are breaking the license agreement.
 
stoofa said:
You must be speaking to a different person at Microsoft to me then.
As far as our Resellers are concerned Microsoft do not class machines that are browsing the web daily, gaming and doing other "home tasks" as being in a "Evaluation Environment".
So anyone buying Technet for that reason - as a cheap way of getting software licenses for home use should save their cash as they are breaking the license agreement.
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The problem is, and I've talked to a lot of people about this, MS simply haven't officially defined what 'Evaluation Purposes' or 'Production Environment' are, especially in this context. It's certainly not supported for this type of use, but unless MS define these terms officially then you can't say it's breaking the licence agreement. Don't get me wrong, I don't condone this type of use, but it's over simplistic to say that this massive grey area is as black and white as illegal use. Quite simply this is a grey area that MS need to clarify, and they will eventually, but I don't think they realise people are using it this way.
 
stoofa said:
You must be speaking to a different person at Microsoft to me then.
As far as our Resellers are concerned Microsoft do not class machines that are browsing the web daily, gaming and doing other "home tasks" as being in a "Evaluation Environment".
So anyone buying Technet for that reason - as a cheap way of getting software licenses for home use should save their cash as they are breaking the license agreement.
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My definition of a production machine is a computer i use to produce some commerical work on. Be it at home self employed or employed in an office.

If im just browsing, playing games or general emails and such, then thats not a production machine.

If I develop applications/games, video editing or music production for personal gain. Then that would be classed as a production machine.

TCs also allows for future testing. What if I was testing older games and new games for windows 7 compatability. What if I wanted to test/develop web applications under IIS 7.5 for compatability, or how SQL server 2008 performs with my web application for XX months?
 
chez said:
That would also not be evaluation.
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How would you know that i'm not evaluating it?

What if I had some business friends, or members of the family who wanted to upgrade. So asked me to use it for normal tasks and give them a report or recomendations after XX months?

Is that not "evaluating" ??

If it isn't, then it needs to be redefinded in the English dictionary and language.
 
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