Microsoft to shut down TechNet subscription service

Being an MVP I had the opportunity to sign up for both TechNet and MSDN, I'm glad I did now. Still for me even if they cancelled my keys it wouldn't be a big deal. I'm retired so I only used a couple keys. I'm happy just to have access to official unmodified Microsoft ISO images. Getting MDOP and MSDart was a bonus to. I think there would be a big backlash if they blacklisted TechNet keys when subscriptions run out. It wouldn't surprise me if they put a time limit on them though. Say 3 years or maybe 5 years after your subscription runs out and then they don't work anymore.

Hi there

My subscription doesn't run out until august -- The only thing I could conceivably want is windows 2012 Server when it's released and possibly windows 8.1 enterprise which won't be available via Normal channels -- so I'll probably renew, grab all the remaining keys and that will be it. I really can't see TechNet being much use for me in future anyway -- New OS'es from Ms aren't likely to interest me a lot in future and newer versions of Office like 365 are likely to be subscription only.

I'll probably go for a small Linux system now and run a dedicated Windows VM on it with Photoshop, Visual studio and Ms Office which will satisfy my Windows requirements in future. I already have a W2K3 virtual server for running other legacy stuff anyway.

Apart from those three applications Linux now supplies everything I need to run -- and please don't mention Libre Office as I still really need Ms Office - for the sort of EXCEL stuff I do nothing else even comes CLOSE.

Running a Small Linux system (remove 90% of the standard Bloat supplied with most distros these days) with VMware you can run your Windows VM at almost native speed - especially on an SSD and it's PORTABLE too. On a USB3 external device you can boot your Linux HOST and start the Windows VM very quickly - plenty of SATA==>USB2 / USB3 adapters out there for running your SSD from a USB slot.

For Linux users --get VMware player (FREE) from here -- also lists Windows versions too.

http://www.vmware.com/download/player/download.html

As the emphasis on Cloud and subscription services increases the use of TechNet isn't an issue any more and given the direction Ms wants to go in I suspect it's actually the correct decision.

It certainly was a valuable resource for me in the past - now I don't really need it any more and am NOT interested in Cloud or subscription services.

I think there might be a new interest in Linux again - It's ironic that it's been started by Ms. !!

So TechNet --R.I.P but it was good in the past.

BTW another good reason for the VM's is that with the new 30/60/180 day trial software that Ms will release in future years makes it very easy for installing these several times if you need extended testing -- my view anyway is that new stuff should ALWAYS be tested on a VM first unless you really need to access the physical hardware - for example you are a development Engineer who needs to write hardware drivers for new devices.

Cheers
jimbo

There goes my money!

My sub expires this month, I will renew so I can try the latest releases for the next year.
Up until Win 7 came out I was a big Linux user. 7 brought me back to MS.
Unless there are big changes in the next year, Win 8 and the death of Technet will send me back to Fedora.
Oh well... was good while it lasted.