Technet Plus.

TheBlueRaja · 17-05-2007, 15:17

Hi All,
I've been pondering the idea of signing up to Technet Plus from Microsoft, and whilst im not quite ready to commit just yet im guessing this could come in handy to people on here who are thinking about a new OS like Vista Home Premium with Office etc or Vista Ultimate.

For those that arent in the know, with Technet plus you get full access to every single Microsoft App ever made, (from DOS 6 right upto Betas of Server 2008) for your subscription fee, which is a non to unreasonable amount of money ~280 quid.

The key here is you get ALL of the following even if you only sign up for a year.

* TechNet Plus subscriptions are full of high-value resources for IT Professionals working with Microsoft technology
* Instant access to all of the TechNet Plus resources via the online, subscriber-only
* No need to wait for discs!
* Get software, product keys and the latest Library and content the moment it's available
* Download only what you need for your job
* TechNet Plus Benefits Portal
* Full version Microsoft commercial software for evaluation and planning purposes
* Includes all Server, Client and Application software titles from Microsoft
* No feature, technical, or time limitations
* Early betas for Microsoft technologies such as Windows Vista, Office 2007
* 2 Professional level (24x7) technical support incidents with each subscription Unlimited support in the TechNet Plus Managed Newsgroups
* 20% discounts on additional support incidents
* TechNet Plus Online Concierge Live, person-to-person search assistance chat
* Official Microsoft E-Learning
* The latest content, tools, security, user docs and support KB delivered each month
* The best technical Microsoft Webcasts available for offline viewing
* Provides one subscriber with full access to all TechNet Plus resources
* This subscription type is appropriate for workgroups that need to share the TechNet Plus Library inside the firewall within a local area network

Truly a worthy amount of cash IF your into your Microsoft stuff.

DocDutch · 17-05-2007, 15:26

TBR, I can recommend it mate.... but I never paid a penny for it all paid for by my work. but then I only have MSDN OS not the full works

but my vista at home is from MSDN.

Tricky · 17-05-2007, 20:54

I got a mail from Microsoft about my technet plus subscription today apparently it's all changing - didn't really read it all and i've deleted it but it would be worth doing some digging in case they have removed any benefits

18-05-2007, 09:30

Isn't there some rule that says you can't use Technet / MSDN versions of software in a production (ie - everyday) enviroment - it's just for testing purposes?

DocDutch · 18-05-2007, 09:44

yeah it is Isain, but then how can you test something if it isnt used for the needs of what it has to do .... ie with Server 2008 (Longhorn) use it for web/file/dhcp server without knowing if its reliable.

TheBlueRaja · 18-05-2007, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsainsbury

Isn't there some rule that says you can't use Technet / MSDN versions of software in a production (ie - everyday) enviroment - it's just for testing purposes?

I was thinking about all those folk going out to buy Vista Ultimate, why bother when you can get everything here for about the same price.

18-05-2007, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocDutch

yeah it is Isain, but then how can you test something if it isnt used for the needs of what it has to do .... ie with Server 2008 (Longhorn) use it for web/file/dhcp server without knowing if its reliable.

Testing is different to using it in a production enviroment.

Your test enviroment should replicate your production enviroment as much as possible and thats how you find out what limits the software has or how reliable the software is.

What I'm saying is, when your test phase is over you can't use MSDN /Technet editions of the software - you have to buy proper VLK / Action Pack / Retail or whatever commericial licensing plans MS have this week for your production systems.

DocDutch · 18-05-2007, 10:06

TBR afaik the MSDN keys are only valid for 1 year

18-05-2007, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocDutch

TBR afaik the MSDN keys are only valid for 1 year

There you go then!

TheBlueRaja · 18-05-2007, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocDutch

TBR afaik the MSDN keys are only valid for 1 year

* No feature, technical, or time limitations

The subscription is only valid for a year, as in, you will only be able to download stuff during that time, but the keys are not limited in time.

You could download the lot, legally, and keep it on a drive somewhere with your keys.

Microsoft offer much reduced second year rates as well.