Windows 8 RTM on TechNet Aug 15th

[Phone Man]

I was on a podcast Thursday with Mary Jo Foley and Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo stated her sources said that Windows 8 RTM will be available on TechNet and MSDN on Aug 1. Just a quick statement with no follow up.

Windows Weekly 271 | TWiT.TV

Jim

Update: It was RTM on Aug 1 and going to TechNet on Aug 15 per MS post.

 

[Dave76]

Hope it's true, thanks for the info.

 

[Lee]

Hmmmmmmmm!

 

[pparks1]

I would imagine that with new releases again of Office and Windows that sales of Technet will also be on the rise this year.

 

[Phone Man]

I would imagine that with new releases again of Office and Windows that sales of Technet will also be on the rise this year.

The problem is MS has changed the rules on TechNet. The Product Keys you get will expire if you don't renew your subscription. Mine expires in October so I can at least get to use Windows 8 RTM for a while to decide if I will buy a retail version. To much abuse with the keys so they are cracking down.

Jim

 

[kodi]

As far as I know the keys do not expire if you don't renew your subscription, you just can't download any new ones so make sure if you are not renewing your subscription you download as many keys that you MAY need before they expire

 

[Dave76]

That's not good news, but doesn't surprise me. Like you said too much abuse.

#4 (a You may not use the software if you do not have an active subscription.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
in some ways the whole TechNet contract is a bit unenforceable and a legalistic minefield -- for example It would imply that if I say download Windows 2012 server and then want to see if some software will work on it then I can't develop the software application on W2012 server -- Any sensible Court on the planet would see this part of the contract as a totally void part of the deal.

So if I want to develop a .NET or a Visual studio application for Windows 2012 server then I have to have W2012 server in the first place -- which makes the whole concept a bit meaningless --since you want to SEE IF IT WORKS ON W2012 FIRST.

The legalistic bit would come in though if I tried to SELL the application which I'd developed on W2012 server downloaded from TechNet.

This whole contract is RIDDLED with Worms that I doubt if any but a very small part is actually enforceable -- the two parts would be

Using the software in a productive environment and selling / giving away software downloaded from TechNet.

Anything else would certainly be laughed out of court by any half way competent Lawyer.

I'm not saying Don't follow the rules -- not at all --but a 100% STRICT ADHERENCE to all the conditions makes the whole package a total waste of time in the extreme. Like all things USE SENSIBLY - and remember it was OBVIOUS BLATANT misuse that got the keys whittled down from 10 to just 3 now -- might even be reducing to 2 for pro.

Incidentally sometimes you get stupid remarks from CEO Lawyers that a contract is there "For OUR protection". (Not in this particular instance -- but if you see this sort of jargon elsewhere you now know what to do with it).

At least here in this country this is total nonsense and was totally ruled out of order -- Our Law (and I think E.U law is the same) is that a VALID and ENFORCEABLE contract is made between TWO OR MORE PARTIES and to protect the interests of ALL PARTIES CONCERNED.

If one side says it's to "Protect Our interests" or totally bovine remarks of a similar nature then under our law the contract is null and void and cannot be enforced.

I believe in the UK a large mobile Telco got into trouble with this when a subscriber decided the service wasn't good enough and decided to terminate a contract early and was arguing about the penalty clauses.

The stupid suited corporate Lawyer actually told the Court -- We write these contracts for "OUR" protection.

Judge wasn't pleased -- Case dismissed with total (substantial) costs and damages awarded AGAINST the Telco. Well done that man having a go against some of this corporate B/S. We need Commercial Law --but PLEASE let it be sensible and fit for purpose and FAIR to all PARTIES concerned.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Phone Man]

That's not good news, but doesn't surprise me. Like you said too much abuse.

#4 (a You may not use the software if you do not have an active subscription.

Last line of #7

Microsoft may deactivate or otherwise limit your keys when your subscription ends. Deactivated keys will not be able to activate software.

#8

Ending the subscription You may cancel your subscription at any time. Your subscription expires if you do not renew by paying the subscription fee prior to the expiration of the subscription period. Microsoft may suspend or terminate your subscription if Microsoft believes that you have failed to comply with any part of this agreement. If your subscription ends for any reason:

• you must stop using the software and any benefits associated with the subscription, and
• you must destroy all copies of the software in your possession.

This new agreement was effective on July 16, 2012 but may only apply to new subscriptions or renewal. I subscribed to TechNet last October and maybe other members can clarify the following statements. Under the old agreement if your subscription expires and you do not renew, then any software and keys you have would still be valid. If you renew then any NEW keys you obtain would expire when your subscription expires.

Jim

 

[pparks1]

I have not heard of anybody who had their technet keys expire after letting their contract lapse. But from a legal standpoint, they certainly could do it.

With that said, given all of the software that you get, it's $199 for the 1st year and $149 a year thereafter....so very, very reasonable. Considering that you get multiple activation keys for Windows desktops and Microsoft Office, this thing pretty much pays for itself as long as you have at least 1 computer at home. If you have more than 1, then it's really cost effective even when renewing. And you also get access to the server software as well, which is great if you want to get into the IT field or run your own server on your home network.

With a retail copy of Windows 7 Ultimate costing nearly $235 from Amazon, (http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-GLC...d=1343505074&sr=8-3&keywords=windows+7+retail), everything else you get is practically free.

 

[TanyaC]

With that said, given all of the software that you get, it's $199 for the 1st year and $149 a year thereafter....

Despite the Australian dollar being stronger than the US dollar, for Technet Standard it is $337 for the first year and $260 per year thereafter. I don't see how they can justify the 40% higher price. The professional subscription is $618/$437.

The key limit on my subscription, which I purchased last October, is 2 MAXIMUM for any product. There are no products I get 3 keys for.

I'll probably download the 8 RTM, but I'd be surprised if it remains on my test system for more than 3 days, that will be plenty long enough for it to drive me to despair.

 

[chessdragon136]

The key limit on my subscription, which I purchased last October, is 2 MAXIMUM for any product. There are no products I get 3 keys for.

You are right that you only get 2 keys, but each key can be used on 10 pc's simultaneously..

Now you got yourself a bargain...

But back on topic, I watched the Windows Weekly the other day and I'm sure she said around the 1st week of August, not THE 1st of August.. But that is nit-picking!

 

[Phone Man]

The key limit on my subscription, which I purchased last October, is 2 MAXIMUM for any product. There are no products I get 3 keys for.

You are right that you only get 2 keys, but each key can be used on 10 pc's simultaneously..

Now you got yourself a bargain...

But back on topic, I watched the Windows Weekly the other day and I'm sure she said around the 1st week of August, not THE 1st of August.. But that is nit-picking!

If you listen close at the 26:46 mark she said TechNet and MSDN on Aug 1 around Noon.(noon is kind of muffled) Just prior to that she said that business customers would get it the 1st week in Aug. It goes by so quick it easy to miss and they don't say anything else about it. I am assuming that is Noon PST. So we will see.

Jim

 

[chessdragon136]

If you listen close at the 26:46 mark she said TechNet and MSDN on Aug 1 around Noon.(noon is kind of muffled) Just prior to that she said that business customers would get it the 1st week in Aug. It goes by so quick it easy to miss and they don't say anything else about it. I am assuming that is Noon PST. So we will see.

Jim

I stand corrected.. I did think she said or around then, not noon.

To be fair, August 1st makes sense as Windows seems to always go to RTM on a Wednesday:

Vista: Nov 8, 2006
Win 7: July 22, 2009

 

[pparks1]

Despite the Australian dollar being stronger than the US dollar, for Technet Standard it is $337 for the first year and $260 per year thereafter. I don't see how they can justify the 40% higher price. The professional subscription is $618/$437.

Yeah, welcome to Australia. That is just the way it is. I actually work for an Australian company, but reside in the United States.

The key limit on my subscription, which I purchased last October, is 2 MAXIMUM for any product. There are no products I get 3 keys for.

Are you not aware that these are multiple activation keys? While you only get 2 physical keys, you can activate them over and over and over again. Not to mention, you get 2 keys for Windows 7 Home Premium, 2 keys for Windows 7 Professional, 2 keys for Windows 7 Ultimate...and all of them can be activated over and over and over again. And don't forget the Vista keys, and the XP keys, and the upcoming Windows 8 keys.

Microsoft cut back from 10 physical keys, which allowed 10 activations at the same time because people didn't have a need for 100 running machines and they started selling their keys. Small computer shops did the same thing. Buy a copy of Technet standard for $199, and then sell each of the 10 license keys for $100 each, and they were making hundreds upon hundreds of dollars for each copy of Technet they bought. These shifty people made thousands selling technet keys.

 

[Zepher]

My Technet sub gave me 150 windows 7 keys. 30 keys per Version.
Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Ultimate N, Windows 7 Ultimate KN, 10 keys of each one.
Towards the end of my sub they did change the terms and the amount of keys, KN Keys were pruned and KN was listed with N.

EDIT: I have to look at my list, but it may have been 40 keys per version.
K is listed with the Normal version, and N and KN are listed together.

I can still log on and look at all the keys I claimed (except I don't see the ones that were pruned with the change mentioned above)

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Without a TechNet subscription I would never have been able to learn anything about servers -- It's helped me into a lot of contracts that I wouldn't have got otherwise. I've also started playing around with Visual Studio and trying some .NET type of stuff.

(In fact I'm almost the only guy at my present gig that knows anything about Windows 2003 server 64 bit which will still be used for about another year so).

TechNet is definitely worth it BUT PLEASE FOLKS DON'T ABUSE IT OR WE ALL WILL LOSE A VERY VALUABLE RESOURCE.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[TanyaC]

Uote\

The key limit on my subscription, which I purchased last October, is 2 MAXIMUM for any product. There are no products I get 3 keys for.

Are you not aware that these are multiple activation keys? While you only get 2 physical keys, you can activate them over and over and over again. Not to mention, you get 2 keys for Windows 7 Home Premium, 2 keys for Windows 7 Professional, 2 keys for Windows 7 Ultimate...and all of them can be activated over and over and over again. And don't forget the Vista keys, and the XP keys, and the upcoming Windows 8 keys.

Yes, I was aware that they are multiple activation. And I believe up to 10 machines per key. Not that I have a need to run more than one version of Windows 7 per PC.

 

[Phone Man]

Looks like Mary Jo's sources were not real accurate. Windows 8 went RTM on Aug 1 and sent to OEM, but TechNet will get it on Aug 15. Two more weeks to see what it is really like. Of course there will be a lot of "leaks" but I don't trust any of those. Probably lots of new rumors about the final changes but we will know in two weeks.

Jim

 

[kegobeer]

I'll be grabbing a copy from Technet and testing it out on my test computers to see how the interface works with a non-touch environment.