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Ok, so I thought that this topic might be helpful for those of you out there that want to work on Microsoft Vista on your Tablet PCs or even your desktops and are interesting in learning more about getting engaged in the information technology arena.
Microsoft has a fantastic program called TechNet. Put simply, it's a great way to get information and support on almost anything related to Microsoft products. Details on TechNet can be found at http://technet.microsoft.com
However, there is a specific element that I wanted to mention. It's Microsoft's TechNet Plus program. In short, this program allows you to obtain all of Microsoft's software (no, I'm not kidding) with valid licenses for use in learning how to test, deploy and make use of their software. This program has two offers for individuals. One is $500 and is called TechNet Plus Single User. It offers you all the software that Microsoft currently has with valid licenses to activate the software on up to 10 computers with the same key (yes, really). They send you an initial package of all of the software on CD/DVD and then they provide you monthly updates. After the 12 month subscription is up, the software and licenses remain valid, but you do not receive any more material.
Their second offer is called TechNet Plus Direct. It is exactly the same as the first offer with one difference. You are not sent any media in the mail and you must download it yourself. This offer is $350.
So what's the catch. Well, actually, there is none, except one. As per Microsoft:
"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"
So what does this mean? Well, it means that you cannot use this for your own personal home use. It's meant to be used to learn how to use their software, to deploy it, to master it. It's not meant for production use. But the software is normal in every way, shape and form.
The software has no time limit, it is a perpetual license. Now, let's not kid ourselves, will people abuse this and use it outside of the appropriate licensing terms? Sure, human nature and greed being what it is, people will. But it is also a p-h-e-n-o-m-i-n-a-l opportunity. If you are a technician and you really want to work with Microsoft software properly, with all the tools at your disposal, you will NOT find a better resource. Period. I have TechNet Plus at work so I'm very familiar with it. But even I know a good deal when I see one and I am jumping on this for myself.
So here comes the second part of the subject line.... exam insurance. I just found out today that Microsoft is offering a special deal for those who want to take tests to become Microsoft certified. There are dozens and dozens of tests available to take for all sorts of certifications. But Microsoft's latest offer works like this.... Purchase exam insurance from a participating company and take a Microsoft exam before January 31, 2007. If you fail the test, you get to take is again for free (hence the insurance). If you pass the test, you get (aside from the benefit of having passed)a 25% discount on your next test. Either way, they give you a 12 month subscription to TechNet Plus Direct. The exam insurance is $175, though a participating vendor near me offered it for $165.
Yep... That's it. That's the deal.... Here's the details...
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mc...e/default.mspx
Microsoft exams are usually $125, so in effect, if you take the exam and pass the test (or even fail actually), you will have received TechNet Plus Direct for $50 (or $40 in my case).
No, I am not kidding. No, this is not a scam. Yes, it really is that good a deal.
So there it is. I hope people find it useful. I have learned a great deal from this website, the work of its founders and the general user community. I thought it might be nice to share this bit of info.
Ask any questions you may and I'll answer them as best I can. Others who use TechNet should also chime in. Good deals like this tend to be hard to swallow to the uninitiated. My next post will list most of the software that is offered through TechNet (though some will be missing because it doesn't have a corresponding license key).
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Originally Posted by SimsHsia
