Question about Technet subscriptions

I don't think it's Legal to share a system or other software with your Dad ...
M$ now knows Who has these keys ... Including your name and address.

Man, sorry for all the questions, its just that you could essentually get thousands of dollars of LEGIT software for about $261. How could you go wrong? I am always skeptical about deals this good!!!!

noyb said:

I don't think it's Legal to share a system or other software with your Dad ...
M$ now knows Who has these keys ... Including your name and address.

Thats a good point. Sorry dad, you gotta buy your own LOL!!!!

Sharing with another person IS in direct violation of the licensing agreement though. So, instead of splitting the cost with your dad, just keep it for yourself. Encourage him to buy 1 too, or a standard license if he only needs it for one machine.

Aside from that, Technet is a great program for this sort of thing.

pparks1 said:

Sharing with another person IS in direct violation of the licensing agreement though. So, instead of splitting the cost with your dad, just keep it for yourself. Encourage him to buy 1 too, or a standard license if he only needs it for one machine.

Aside from that, Technet is a great program for this sort of thing.

Ok whats the difference between standard and plus? Plus is what you get for the $261 correct? I'm just double checking

Thanks,
Ed

Crypto said:

TechNet Plus: Compare Direct Subscriptions & Single User Subscriptions

Thank you, I was trying to find something like that!! But its tough here at work going back and forth between working and the internet

You get to use 10 keys per product.

For something like Windows 7, that would mean 10 Ultimate, 10 Professional, 10 Home Premium, etc. If you have legitimate need, you can actually contact Microsoft and obtain more, but that's going to be pretty rare that someone can't make due with what's provided.

The "catch" is that the licensing is for only one person, and it's supposed to be "evaluation" in nature. You don't really "get" thousands of dollars of software, and there are any number of scenarios where you need to rapidly get a "legit" license instead. The program is primarily targeted at IT professionals who might need to constantly fiddle around with things, test compatibility of different setups, explore what features are available where, etc.

The big no-no is indeed using it in a "production" environment. Your Dad wouldn't do it if he's running a small business from home or something, for example. It also wouldn't be wise to go handing out keys to a bunch of friends or to try selling them. That's another no-no, and MS does indeed gain ability to track your use with identifiable information when you subscribe, unlike when you buy something off the shelf in the store.

And depending on your needs, it may be even "cheaper" to do the family upgrade 3-pack that's coming out in the fall ($150), or to look into the MSDNAA options that many students qualify for ($19). You don't have quite the same potential for licensing issues there, too.

But especially if you're a bit on the geeky side :) and would like to regularly try out a lot of software and learn how things work and improve your tech abilities, Technet is a great option.

poin2 said:

But especially if you're a bit on the geeky side :) and would like to regularly try out a lot of software and learn how things work and improve your tech abilities, Technet is a great option.

This is exactly the reason I would like a subscription!!! I do a lot of beta testing of CAD software at work, so this fits right in!!

Thanks for the explanation though!!!!

Ed

I have installed Ultimate on 4 different computers using the same key. I may have used the same key a couple of more times as I did upgrades and clean installs. I don't know if there is a limit for each key. If and when I reach that limit I'll go back to Technet and get a new one. All you have to do is click on the key Icon and it will ask if you want another key.

I have also installed Office on several computers using the same key.

MS will not bother you unless your keys start showing up on hundreds of computers. Installing 7 on family machines for testing purposes should be OK as you will be the one troubleshooting problems with help from Technet if needed.