Microsoft Partner Program.
Discussion
I've seen the MPP mentioned a few times as basically "Pay £199 and Mankysoft will give you a shed load of free software and 'stuff'." But looking around their website actual details are rather sketchy; true the site is full of stuff but it's all in managment speak.
Can someone explain to me how say.... an individual would join the MPP and then procede to get their grubby little mittens on the microsoft catolouge of software?
Just with Office 2007 and Vista around the corner I'd like to explore cheaper upgrade paths than going to PC World/Staples and getting bent over whilst my credit card is molested
Can someone explain to me how say.... an individual would join the MPP and then procede to get their grubby little mittens on the microsoft catolouge of software?
Just with Office 2007 and Vista around the corner I'd like to explore cheaper upgrade paths than going to PC World/Staples and getting bent over whilst my credit card is molested
Edited by thepassenger on Saturday 26th August 23:58
You want the Action Pack I think - which you get if you joing the Partner Program. Just search MS for Action Pack and you won't go far wrong. You get servers, office, XP and a few other bits. If you need Visual Studio or other development tools you need an MSDN subscription, which is quite a few coppers more.
Oh, and Vista and Office 2007 came in the last set of updates. I loaded them in a VM for a look see but was left distinctly unimpressed. I can't see a rapid corporate uptake on them as they are so different, and for what? So you can have see through windows? Oh whoopee.
Oh, and Vista and Office 2007 came in the last set of updates. I loaded them in a VM for a look see but was left distinctly unimpressed. I can't see a rapid corporate uptake on them as they are so different, and for what? So you can have see through windows? Oh whoopee.
Edited by victormeldrew on Sunday 27th August 00:57
victormeldrew said:
You want the Action Pack I think - which you get if you joing the Partner Program. Just search MS for Action Pack and you won't go far wrong. You get servers, office, XP and a few other bits. If you need Visual Studio or other development tools you need an MSDN subscription, which is quite a few coppers more.
Action Pack? Righto.
Don't need development stuff, haven't seriously programed in anger for... years.
And a 2k3 server with a hauppage card in might make a nice SnapStream box... hmm...
victormeldrew said:
Oh, and Vista and Office 2007 came in the last set of updates. I loaded them in a VM for a look see but was left distinctly unimpressed. I can't see a rapid corporate uptake on them as they are so different, and for what? So you can have see through windows? Oh whoopee.
Office 2007 has had the ribbon interface stripped out apparently due to negative feedback from both none & corp beta testers... precisley because it was 'too different'.
As for the transparent windows and such; doesn't bother me; most corporate machines can't handle the new interface due to integrated graphics chipsets and personally I'd run Vista in XP-look mode.
However what I could do with 5 copies of XP Pro/Vista and Office for the in-laws. Thanks to people who I shall not name they're not exactly legit on Mankysoft products and I seriously can not be arsed working around WGA and explaining why their machines are skanky and I just will not support them.
victormeldrew said:
If you need Visual Studio or other development tools you need an MSDN subscription, which is quite a few coppers more.
Edited by victormeldrew on Sunday 27th August 00:57
Last time I looked (~6mths) the C# compiler had a pretty extensive free copy, and MSDN is free to access.
Don said:
You'll need a Limited Company for Action Pack...I assume this isn't a problem.
The free VS.NET compilers/free MSDN stuff is all fine - great for writing programs at home for whatever - but if you want to develop a commercial app you'll need the stuff you pay for.
The free VS.NET compilers/free MSDN stuff is all fine - great for writing programs at home for whatever - but if you want to develop a commercial app you'll need the stuff you pay for.
Ltd company = £50 to register a generic name I belive?
thepassenger said:
Don said:
You'll need a Limited Company for Action Pack...I assume this isn't a problem.
The free VS.NET compilers/free MSDN stuff is all fine - great for writing programs at home for whatever - but if you want to develop a commercial app you'll need the stuff you pay for.
The free VS.NET compilers/free MSDN stuff is all fine - great for writing programs at home for whatever - but if you want to develop a commercial app you'll need the stuff you pay for.
Ltd company = £50 to register a generic name I belive?
Don said:
You'll need a Limited Company for Action Pack...I assume this isn't a problem.
The free VS.NET compilers/free MSDN stuff is all fine - great for writing programs at home for whatever - but if you want to develop a commercial app you'll need the stuff you pay for.
Not necessarily. We had a subscription when we were trading as a partnership.The free VS.NET compilers/free MSDN stuff is all fine - great for writing programs at home for whatever - but if you want to develop a commercial app you'll need the stuff you pay for.
dilbert said:
victormeldrew said:
If you need Visual Studio or other development tools you need an MSDN subscription, which is quite a few coppers more.
Edited by victormeldrew on Sunday 27th August 00:57
Last time I looked (~6mths) the C# compiler had a pretty extensive free copy, and MSDN is free to access.
thought MSDN was quite pricey..
Right so, £199+VAT subs and I possibly don't need to setup a Ltd.
So, I'm sat totting up how much the software would cost on the shelf and I'm seeing quite a large discrepancy... I've got to ask: What's the catch? Do I need to keep paying subs for x years or something... or is it a totally one shot affair if I want it to be?
So, I'm sat totting up how much the software would cost on the shelf and I'm seeing quite a large discrepancy... I've got to ask: What's the catch? Do I need to keep paying subs for x years or something... or is it a totally one shot affair if I want it to be?
thepassenger said:
Right so, £199+VAT subs and I possibly don't need to setup a Ltd.
So, I'm sat totting up how much the software would cost on the shelf and I'm seeing quite a large discrepancy... I've got to ask: What's the catch? Do I need to keep paying subs for x years or something... or is it a totally one shot affair if I want it to be?
Annual subscription. Still excellent value as you get anything new that comes along. So, I'm sat totting up how much the software would cost on the shelf and I'm seeing quite a large discrepancy... I've got to ask: What's the catch? Do I need to keep paying subs for x years or something... or is it a totally one shot affair if I want it to be?
thepassenger said:
Right so, £199+VAT subs and I possibly don't need to setup a Ltd.
So, I'm sat totting up how much the software would cost on the shelf and I'm seeing quite a large discrepancy... I've got to ask: What's the catch? Do I need to keep paying subs for x years or something... or is it a totally one shot affair if I want it to be?
In previous years a lot of the software was time limited, and expired after one year. Given MS policies of late I would not all all be surprised if all such software became illegal after year, and you were forced to reinstall from a new subscription. So, I'm sat totting up how much the software would cost on the shelf and I'm seeing quite a large discrepancy... I've got to ask: What's the catch? Do I need to keep paying subs for x years or something... or is it a totally one shot affair if I want it to be?
The Partnership program is points based, and you are supposed to gain points by selling software, training, MCSE etc to progress through the ranks. Again, I wouldn't be too shocked if MS decided that if you didn't gain enough points you're out.
On the plus side, it is a subscription, and you do get updates with new versions as they are released, so for 12 months at lest you can have cutting edge software!
The catch is indeed that it is a *rental* of the software for a year. So you'll be paying £199 ++ on an ongoing basis until you no longer need the software.
Microsoft do not appear to "time bomb" their apps - BUT - you will not be legit at the end of the year if you do not renew.
We use Action Pack to make sure we can use anything Microsoft do on any PC we own and are legit. For us, as a Ltd Company, its great. Since we develop software and sell a software product that runs on the Microsoft platform its excellent for us.
On my PCs at home, though, I *buy* the o/s licence with the PC. Then I install the same old copy of Office 2000 I've been using for the last six years that I own. I deinstall it from the old PC when it goes and re-install it on the new one. Its great - and I really don't care about any of the new features at all...
Microsoft do not appear to "time bomb" their apps - BUT - you will not be legit at the end of the year if you do not renew.
We use Action Pack to make sure we can use anything Microsoft do on any PC we own and are legit. For us, as a Ltd Company, its great. Since we develop software and sell a software product that runs on the Microsoft platform its excellent for us.
On my PCs at home, though, I *buy* the o/s licence with the PC. Then I install the same old copy of Office 2000 I've been using for the last six years that I own. I deinstall it from the old PC when it goes and re-install it on the new one. Its great - and I really don't care about any of the new features at all...
I did get caught out when a 2003 server install I was using a couple of years ago timed out, that was from the Action Pack. I had stuff stored in Sharepoint Server, and once the software timed out there was no getting it back. As it was for a company that had ceased trading and didn't renew the subscription it wasn't a huge deal, but some data the Inland Revenue wanted for proof of expenses was buried in there! That's why I'm now wary of using Action Pack sourced apps for live data (which to be fair they do tell you not to do!).
I have to say I haven't noticed any of the current Action Pack having time limits though.
I have to say I haven't noticed any of the current Action Pack having time limits though.
Don said:
On my PCs at home, though, I *buy* the o/s licence with the PC. Then I install the same old copy of Office 2000 I've been using for the last six years that I own. I deinstall it from the old PC when it goes and re-install it on the new one. Its great - and I really don't care about any of the new features at all...
Me neither, to be honest I use Word 2003 the same way I used Word 2.0 in the DOS days; a glorified type writer that can check my spelling.
But getting ahold of 4x XP licenses and 4x Office licenses cheap is my goal
Plotloss said:
rich1231 said:
any idea if it will include Vista and Office 2007 in the updates tot he action pack?
Vista was in the July update I think.
Office 2007 almost certaintly.
Being a subscription these will become full releases included on release as well.
just looking for an update for any that have action pack....
now vista is due to release... has anyone with maps had the nod for vista distribution?
rich1231 said:
Plotloss said:
rich1231 said:
any idea if it will include Vista and Office 2007 in the updates tot he action pack?
Vista was in the July update I think.
Office 2007 almost certaintly.
Being a subscription these will become full releases included on release as well.
just looking for an update for any that have action pack....
I'm gonna start biting the postman if he doesnt bring it soon!
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