Microsoft Tech Net Subscribers Club

[qubit]

TMSAM08 makes it £175 for me. However, TNWIN7L is even better and drops it down to £168 + vat.

And guess what? It's direct from their website!

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

EDIT: I've actually got the sub and have had it since Windows 7 RTM was released on TechNet. I paid somewhat more than this, though. lol

[heaven~lord]

i got msdn thats also same as technet just other name of
its msdn.microsoft.com

jsut compared msdn got lot more than technet :|

[YinYang.ERROR]

I am now a subscriber of Tech Net.

So far, I like it

[heaven~lord]

Originally Posted by YinYang.ERROR

I am now a subscriber of Tech Net.

So far, I like it

welcome


hey can i also be this club member :P
as i mentioned i got msdn and its same as technet just with more stuff :P

[stinger608]

I don't see where a subscriber can download Windows Home Server. Is this available once a person subscribes?

Also, now most all of the coupon codes are giving 28% off, making the purchase price $251 and change.

[stinger608]

Finally purchased a subscription to technet :-)

So when you get a chance DD, add me to that list in the OP.

[Solaris17]

Originally Posted by twilyth

I joined up a couple months ago to get access to the operating systems. Kind of bummed me out that I could get win 3.11 and DOS but not Win95, 98, Me, NT, etc. But since I'll probably end up with 4 machines again soon, it pretty much paid for itself. Still not a big fan of MS, but sometimes you've got to go with the flow.

wait what? i thought u could get everything with technet? OS wise that is at the least am i to be lead diffirent? what if i want the older OS's

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by Solaris17

wait what? i thought u could get everything with technet? OS wise that is at the least am i to be lead diffirent? what if i want the older OS's

some OS's (that are no longer supported) get removed. they'd assume that if you needed win95, you'd have signed up and got it years ago... or still have a copy.

[blkhogan]

Ive had one for a few years now. Add me too.

[DanishDevil]

Added

Can't wait for Office 2010 Final to be released!

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by DanishDevil

Added

Can't wait for Office 2010 Final to be released!

Have you tried the beta yet DD?

Also, be sure to edit the op and add me

[KieX]

Just got my Technet Subscription yesterday!

I did have some questions before I bought it though, and PM'd qubit as he is in the UK like me. We thought it might be useful to anyone else with similar doubts, so here's the transcript if it helps more people get this awesome deal and join this club:

Originally Posted by KieX

Hey, was reading the TechNet subscribers thread because I was planning on getting one. Mind if I ask you something before I plonk a wad of cash on it?

My main question was how many keys does it give you per each OS, and do you get all the different retail version of these OS?

Originally Posted by qubit

This is a very good and fair question - no need to hide it behind a PM. You're only asking what you're getting for your money. Thanks for asking.

TechNet is basically amazing value.

Per OS (non-server) you get 10 keys. You also get every version of that OS. Obviously for yourself, you'll want to use Ultimate. However, you do indeed get all the other lower versions too. It even goes all the way down to Starter! This includes Vista & 7.

You get a block of 10 keys for each version too. So, if there are 7 versions, you have 70 keys!

You also get the latest Windows 2008 R2 server (this is Windows 7 in server form, 64-bit only) to download and the top Datacentre edition is worth several thousand pounds. You get something called a multiple activation key, which basically means that you can activate it over the internet on as many computers as you want.

You will also get the latest Office 2010 when it comes out.

There's loads of other weird and wonderful software that Microsoft make that I hadn't even heard of before I got the sub.

All this software is the full retail version, with no time or usage limits. It's allegedly supposed to be used for "evaluation" purposes only. Yeah, don't worry about that and just use it on your main systems; no one's going to ask about how you're using it.

If you want to share your question on the forum, just ask me there and I'll copy this answer. However, please PM the URL of your question, because I've turned off the post alerts for this thread now.

And finally, always use the money off coupon code on the TechNet website to get a significant reduction in price. Sometimes you can find other codes on various websites that give a better discount. Try googling it or ask in the TPU TechNet thread.

Any other questions, ask away!

Originally Posted by KieX

One last question, did I understand correctly from that answer that you only get 1 copy of each Microsoft Office? Or are those 10 copies like the OS?

Originally Posted by qubit

You get 10 keys for Office 2003, 2007. The 2010 beta has a multiple activation key.

[qubit]

Oh, forgot to mention, you're not supposed to sell or give away any of your keys. I definitely don't sell any of mine and I don't mean this euphemistically. I'm pretty sure they're all traceable back to the subscriber, anyway.

However, you can install a copy on a friend's PC as an "evaluation" of that product on their hardware and software setup and is a legitimate reason for doing so. Just don't use that key on any other computer. Again, no-one's gonna come after you.

People just love bashing Microsoft and their business practices. But, to be honest, while they do have some questionable practices (product activation and WGA anyone?) I think overall the company is reasonable and this subscription deal is phenomenal value, even without the money off coupon. Seriously, it's a no-brainer for anyone that wants anything more than one item of the cheapest products they sell. If you want to see control-freakery, just look at Apple. They got high prices, DRM and user restrictions on everythng. You wouldn't see me dead with any of their products.

Edit: Welcome to the TechNet club!

[DannibusX]

Wow! How have I not heard of this before today? I am so in very, very soon.

I have a small question though. I didn't see this asked asked as I read through the thread, so pardon me if it's been touched before. Are the keys bound to the download or can I use the keys on the retail discs I already own?

Also is it a flat 10 keys, period or does it reset to 10 keys yearly?

[qubit]

Originally Posted by DannibusX

Wow! How have I not heard of this before today? I am so in very, very soon.

I have a small question though. I didn't see this asked asked as I read through the thread, so pardon me if it's been touched before. Are the keys bound to the download or can I use the keys on the retail discs I already own?

The download products available from TechNet are the full retail versions - the disc images will generate the same MD5 checksums as your discs, so the TechNet keys will also work with your discs.

This is my first TechNet sub, but I think that if you renew the sub you stay with the same keys, but if you buy a "new" one, you get 10 fresh keys. If someone can confirm this, I'd be grateful.

[DanishDevil]

I think you're right, because the "renew" cost is about $100 cheaper than getting a new one. I am also on my first subscription year, though. But once Windows 8 comes out, you still get 10 fresh keys for it. Same with Office 2010.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by qubit

The download products available from TechNet are the full retail versions - the disc images will generate the same MD5 checksums as your discs, so the TechNet keys will also work with your discs.

This is my first TechNet sub, but I think that if you renew the sub you stay with the same keys, but if you buy a "new" one, you get 10 fresh keys. If someone can confirm this, I'd be grateful.

if you make a new one, its all brand spanking new keys.

[DannibusX]

I just subbed. I'm stoked.

[freaksavior]

Originally Posted by DanishDevil

Added

Can't wait for Office 2010 Final to be released!

Originally Posted by stinger608

Have you tried the beta yet DD?

Also, be sure to edit the op and add me

my dads pc has the beta, and i can tell you this, it opens documents fast.

[Bot]

i subbed late last year. meant to do it for a while but contemplated between TechNet, MSDN and the MCP ActionPack.
decided TechNet would be the best fit for me

[Xiphos]

so... can you subscribe for 1 year, cancel it at the end of your subscription, and don't renew your subscription until a new product comes out?

[DanishDevil]

I've been using the 2010 Beta forever.

I think you might have to renew it before it runs out to extend it, otherwise you've gotta pay the full price again.

[qubit]

Originally Posted by Xiphos

so... can you subscribe for 1 year, cancel it at the end of your subscription, and don't renew your subscription until a new product comes out?

The sub runs out automatically after a year, you don't cancel anything.

This means that you can continue to access the keys you paid for (claim them! They don't automatically show) but you can't download anything or get any new keys or keys for new products until you pay another sub.

The products you paid for can be used forever, just like any standard Microsoft purchase from a shop.

Originally Posted by DanishDevil

I've been using the 2010 Beta forever.

I think you might have to renew it before it runs out to extend it, otherwise you've gotta pay the full price again.

The betas are always free and time limited.

[DanishDevil]

My second line was referring to Xiphos' question. Should have clarified.

[stinger608]

Hey Danish, sent you a PM with a quick question man :-)

Oh yea, and bump this awesome thread!!!