Charlotte Foust
cfoust at infostatsystems.com
Fri Sep 10 10:39:11 CDT 2004
That makes no sense at all. MSDN Universal is subscription only and has nothing at all to do with a hardware purchase. I've never heard of an OEM version of MSDN, let alone MSDN Universal. Charlotte Foust -----Original Message----- From: Mitsules, Mark S. (Newport News) [mailto:Mark.Mitsules at ngc.com] Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 4:40 AM To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' Subject: RE: [AccessD] AHOO!!! Got my action pack I read this review for the MSDN Universal 7.0 Subscription on PriceGrabber.com. After reading the review, do any of you have any comments regarding the third option listed below. This seems to be the option that is offered at the site Brett suggested below. To reiterate just one of the concerns the reviewer mentioned..."Is there a downside..."? Mark ***************************************** Reviewed by: TallPaulInJax, from FL Date reviewed: 16-Apr-04 Summary: I drove down the rating so you would be more inclined to read this review because it contains very important info. I've been TAKEN for $2000 worth of Office software before and I don't want the same to happen to you. Caveat emptor (aka, beware the buyer): Ok, here is what I think is going on. There are different versions of this software out. (1) Part# 534-02125: this SHOULD BE (doesn't mean it is from some vendors) the retail version which is a 1 YEAR subscription in YOUR name registed by YOU with Microsoft including a 25 digit activation code (newer longer length code). Should be around $2,400. Why anyone would buy this license is beyond me. Keep reading. (2) Part# 534-02031: this is an Open License Program (OLP) version which is a 2 year subscription in YOUR name BUT... you have to qualify for open license, usually a 5 license purchase. The simplest way to do this is to buy 4 cheap OLP licenses (ie, four Encarta licenses at $25 apiece) and one $$$$ license (ie, one MSDN Universal OLP License). Perfectly legal and even recommended by Microsoft. Should be around $2800 to $2900. (3) There is an OEM version. Don't know the part# but I have seen Microsoft use the same part# for Retail and OEM. Unbelievable. I believe that's what most of these cheaper licenses are. The weird thing about some of these vendors is that the software will be activated/registered under THEIR name. Weirder yet, talking with Microsoft about this still has me baffled because Microsoft SAID (I don't believe them) they will activate this license. The only catch on OEM purchases is you have to buy a piece of hardware along with the software. The grey area? In past Microsoft OEM licensing that hardware can be as low priced as a $4 CD audio cable! Some vendors say they won't play this game with OEM licensing because Microsoft could come back and revoke your license unless you're hardware purchase is substantial. What is substantial? A complete PC? A hard drive? A room full of equipment? Is it worth the risk? Is there a problem having the software activated by the vendor as long as you get the media and updates? Is there a downside to buying this license if you buy "substantial" hardware? I don't know the answer to those questions. Perhaps someone could post a response to this message. (4) There are Academic licenses 1 Year licenses which retail around $979. That's all I know about them. (5) Last but not least (and probably not the last, just the last I know about) there are NFR's (Not For Resale) versions given by Microsoft and distributors to let resellers et cetera try out software but they AREN'T SUPPOSED TO RESELL IT. Hey, I hope this helps you figure things out. If it does, send a prayer my way... I could use it. But if it doesn't, join the rest of the club! I spent 3 hours with Microsoft's lead licensing guru one day two years ago and hung up 10X more confused than when I called... Paul ***************************************** -----Original Message----- From: Brett Barabash [mailto:BBarabash at tappeconstruction.com] Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2004 11:03 AM To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving Subject: RE: [AccessD] AHOO!!! Got my action pack Jim, I talked to your contact in April before purchasing our subscriptions, and was quoted a price of $1675 each. He pointed out the Microsoft has changed their distribution strategy and thus has gained more control over prices being charged by independent vendors :-( I shopped around and ended up purchasing from these guys: http://www.softwaremore-usa.com/msun70.html FULL MSDN Universal 7.0 subscription for $1050.00. Not an academic edition, and the disks shipped immediately from MS headquarters. I would highly recommend this vendor. (Back when I purchased mine, MS also had a $300.00 rebate for purchasing this software on DVD. Unfortunately it is no more...) Bobby, Don't waste your time on an Academic subscription. The licensing agreements normally prohibit using it to develop software for clients. All, Even though the MSDN subscription (and updates) lasts for only a year, the software has a perpetual license: http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/faq/default.aspx#licensing However, there are certain limitations to the use of the software (e.g. you can use SQL Server for development, but you can't run your company's DB server with it!) <snip> -- _______________________________________________ AccessD mailing list AccessD at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com