Question: MSDN Universal - Too good to be true?

[VB Programmer]

I am going to be an independent sw consultant/programmer.

Instead of purchasing VS.NET 2003, Office XP, etc... isn't it CHEAPER to buy
the MSDN Universal?! It's seems like there's a catch because it's too good
to be true. Don't you get ALL this software + more with the 1 year
subscription?

What is the catch? Do the software licenses expire after 1 year or are they
completely legit as if I bought them retail? Am I allowed to develop FULL
applications (and sell them for a profit) with it?

Seems too good to be true!

 

[Curt_C [MVP]]

MSDN is for DEVELOPMENT.
Technically, IIRC, you can't use the Outlook to send an e-mail, or Word to
write a document unless it's for testing/dev. VS is another story, in MSDN
you can use it for writing the apps, but the Server, OS, Office products are
for dev & testing only......

 

[Kevin Spencer]

The only catch is that the software is licensed for development purposes
only. For example, you can install SQL Server on a number of machines
(depending upon your subscription), and use it all day long. But if you use
it in an application, such as an ASP.Net or distributable .Net application,
you must purchase a commercial license for it.

It is definitely NOT too good to be true. It is an awesome buy, and every
professional developer who works with the Microsoft platform should have it!

--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
..Net Developer
Microsoft MVP
Big things are made up
of lots of little things.

 

[VB Programmer]

I found this from http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/faq/default.asp

"...one copy of Office can be used for general business use by each licensed
MSDN Universal subscriber."

So I guess I can use Word, Outlook, etc... for "general business" use.
Still seems too good to be true!

 

[Brian W]

No, it is a fantastic deal!

I did exactly that 2 years ago. Unfortunately, due to the current US
financial climate, I was unable to renew 6 months ago But what I did get
during that first year is still keeping me going, for now

A bit of advice...Shop around you _can_ find it cheaper than on MS website.
www.buy.com was the best price at the time but www.codeproject.com also has
a good price these days.

Finally, see if you already own one of the programs that would qualify for
an upgrade, you will save even more.

HTH
Brian W

 

[Guest]

*repost
Also, if you're a student, check your local university bookstore. I bought the Academic version, which is the full-fledged universal subscription but priced for students, for a lot less than anything I saw on line. Agreed with the rest of the group that this deal is not too good to be true--just MS's way of spreading the religion and selling platforms and databases.

 

[Mark Jerde]

Seems too good to be true!

It's not. Here's two other benefits others haven't mentioned.

1. If you register in the right place, MS will reply to questions you ask
in the technical newsgroups (e.g., here.) That alone is almost worth the
subscription price IMHO. If you've ever wondered why MS responds to some
questions but not others, now you know. Universal subscribers get the red
carpet treatment in these newsgroups.

2. The hard disks on both my laptop & desktop crashed last year. I was
able to install MSDN "retail version" of the operating systems, avoiding all
the unnecessary junk that's on the OEM recover/reinstall CDs. FDISK seems
to be the only way to get rid of all the vestages of the "Free 6-Months of
AOL" my OEM CDs insist on installing. <g>

-- Mark

 

[Kevin Spencer]

Don't forget the 4 free support calls!

--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
..Net Developer
Microsoft MVP
Big things are made up
of lots of little things.