Technet subscriptions --Keys to be REDUCED again to 3 in Mid Mar

[jimbo45]

Hi all
It seems that the number of keys available on TechNet Pro subscriptions will be reduced from 5 to 3 in Mid Mar so if you want keys and you still are allowed 5 get them NOW.

Not sure if this effects CURRENT subscribers or New ones -- but remembering the fiasco when they reduced it from 10 to 5 I suspect this will work for everyone now --or at least after renewal time.


Here's a screenshot of the message

Cheers
jimbo

 

[pparks1]

I've always said for years that they gave away way too much with the Technet program for the price. I always thought that it should cost a ton more than it does. There is far too much of a difference between a single retail copy of Windows or Office and everything you get within the Technet program.

 

[CreepinJesus]

This is all caused by people subscribing and giving keys to all the family and friends. What could be a good idea is perhaps a 'family subscription' to Microsoft products; pretty much the same as TechNet, minus 'specialist' programs, but with a lisence suited to families with 4+ computers, like mine.

 

[richnrockville]

The Non-Profit that I support (volunteer) provides me a two year technet plus sub for around $23, (that is twenty three dollars US) thru techsoup.

I keep honest with the sub by only using the subscription for testing for them.

Rich

 

[jimbo45]

Technet Professional reduces 5 to 3 keys -- Now implemented

Hi there
since my last post about a week ago the key reduction from 5 to 3 on most client products has been implemented.

I got my 5 before this started.

Servers etc still 5 (or 1 with Multiple activation for some products).

I suspect even 3 might be reduced further.

I don't have too much of a problem with even 3 --but what I'm getting NOW is not what I signed up for.

I think EXISTING suscribers should keep the 5 --any misuse Ms can always block the account and black list the keys.

Changing conditions during the currency of a subscription doesn't to me seem an "ethical" way to run a business --it just tells me Contracts aren't worth the paper they are printed on".

Cheers
jimbo

 

[GEWB]

Well, at $350USD the TechNet Pro with (mostly) 3 licenses is a steal compared to the Visual Studio Ultimate with MSDN program (mostly 5 or 10 licenses, a few single licenses) at $11,900USD that I had a year ago (which was $100 more when I activated it)!

No, I didn't renew as my project was complete but multiple TechNet subscriptions might be a better choice down the road.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
even this route of getting another subscription is being looked at by MS

If you don't apparently have a reason to get another subscription accounts in some cases are blocked.

I'm not against MS blocking misuse -- I've seen people giving keys to family members etc or even populating torrents -- but we aren't ALL CRIMINALS.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[chessdragon136]

In a way I don't mind this.. Who needs that many keys when each key can be used and activated on 10 different pc's simultaneously.... And for operating systems where you can get multiple keys for multiple versions no wonder they end up on torrent sites and being sold

My 2 pennies

 

[HammerHead]

Say What

I'm a tech net member. I got my five keys when they went from ten. But you mention something I was not aware of. Can my indivdual keys run more that one machine? The way I am reading your post it is possible.

In a way I don't mind this.. Who needs that many keys when each key can be used and activated on 10 different pc's simultaneously.... And for operating systems where you can get multiple keys for multiple versions no wonder they end up on torrent sites and being sold

My 2 pennies

 

[chessdragon136]

Yes.
Technet keys (amongst others) are MAK - Multiple Activation Keys.
Source - http://social.technet.microsoft.com

MAK keys can have varying amount of activations but for Technet the standard for the majority of applications/os/servers is 10.

A quick look in google results for "technet key activation" will show plenty on supporting forum opinions Sadly I can't find the official source at the moment but it is out there somewhere. My current setup has all 5 of my real machines all on the same key and activated, makes management simpler.

So I hope you now realise you have effectively have 50 keys instead of 5, which is no doubt why these cuts are coming in, who needs 50 to test....?

I'm a tech net member. I got my five keys when they went from ten. But you mention something I was not aware of. Can my indivdual keys run more that one machine? The way I am reading your post it is possible.

 

[HammerHead]

Whoopie!!

Cheesedragon I was sweatin' the key reductions out. Thanks for wakin' me up. You are sooo right I don't need fifty. But I was kinda' looking over my shoulder with just three.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Thanks for that info -- I also didn't realize that they could be activated 10 times so it's not so bad as I thought -- but with 3 if it were really only 3 - no multiple activations that would be tight -- I do test a few different configurations - both Real and Virtual machines.

Some products don't always activate 10 times though -- Office 2010 is fine as there is a "Terminal Server" type MAK edition available -- one key but MAK, however Visio and Project 2010 seem only to activate ONCE. I got my 10 keys for those a while ago so I'm OK -- also these aren't heavily used products compared with standard office features.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Phone Man]

Looks like the Pirates caused the problem.

Microsoft cuts back on Windows keys after pirates grab booty ? Channel Register

Jim

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Actually by doing this doesn't solve the piracy problem -- it would have been much more sensible for MS to block keys and subscriptions of mis users. Or even give any product downloaded from technet a 180 day expiry -- that should be long enough to test anything.

The more restrictive you make something ALWAYS ALWAYS results in one of two outcomes.

1) More Piracy. I've noticed just recently a VERY significant increase of MS stuff on the 'OID. This seemed to start as soon as the technet keys were reduced. Strange co-incidence.

2) Even legit users find alternative problems if the activation mechanisms get too complex -- just look at the dreadful situation Acronis has got into with its activation procedures to True Image Home 2012 -- nearly everone I know is sticking to True Image 2011 until they find an alternative product.

MS won't actually gain any extra business from this -- I'll bet on my next visit to Shanghai I can probably find a WORKING copy of Windows for around 2 USD !!! in the first Bar or Pub I go into and NOBODY --probably even JC himself couldn't stop this type of activity.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[logicearth]

jimbo45, your two points have nothing to do with technet and its limit on keys. The activations is no more complex then it has been previously. And there will always be piracy, it did not increase because of the technet keys. Hell, pirates don't use the technet keys only foolish-pirates would. (Those ebay sellers are the pirates they are talking about.)

But lets face it, everyone is abusing technet. Technet is for testing and evaluation. Its not suppose to be used for production or long-term home use. But did you know you don't actually need a key?! A lot of the software from technet will run in a trial mode. More then enough for testing and evaluation.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
then there should be a qualifcation on WHO can buy a technet subscription -- why should every scrobbit on the planet who just can stump up 200 USD or so (not much more than a single retail price for W7 Ultimate) be allowed a subscription.

MS should make Qualification mandatory -- rather like MSDN.

cheers

jimbo

 

[logicearth]

Qualification of what? That I am an IT person? Also, MSDN has no mandatory qualifications either. Guess they should raise the prices and make it all qualification mandatory so you have something else to complain about.

 

[chev65]

Yes they should insist that in order to be qualified you need to be at least a guru on this forum.

I'd like to think that the amount of free support Microsoft gets from this forum would qualify most of us for a free subscription or at least get some kind of discount.

 

[Phone Man]

MS makes the rules as it is their products. If they decide to change the rules, which they just did that is their right and so be it. If it gets to the point that I don't qualify or it gets too costly I will not renew. That is my choice.

Jim

 

[jimbo45]

MS makes the rules as it is their products. If they decide to change the rules, which they just did that is their right and so be it. If it gets to the point that I don't qualify or it gets too costly I will not renew. That is my choice.

Jim

Hi there
Not normally an argument with that but generally when you sign a subscription for something you don't expect the conditions to be changed until it's time to renew.

I know the usual bunch of sleazebag scrobbits who call themselves Lawyers will point out the small print somewhere "Ms has the right to vary conditions or withdraw them at any time without notice" ... but this is usual corporation greed get out.

Technically the same applies if you buy an airline ticket -- unbelieveably you can find somewhere buried in the loads of text on the back of the form - booking conditions where it says words to this effect

"We've got your money but we are not forced to provide the service for which you've bought your ticket" --but if they tried to carry this out I can imagine what outrage there would be in the US Federal Court system.

You buy a service and IMO it's not unreasonable to EXPECT the conditions not to change half way through for EXISTING customers until the subscription runs out.

Cheers
jimbo