Microsoft Technet v Action Pack

[SimonMac]

Gonna bite the bullet and go legit for my MS software, running more and more VM's, and will give me the bonus of Project and Visio which as much as I hate them they are must have's theses day's.

Price wise a Technet Professional and a MAPS (non dev and design) subscription are the same (£240 v £260), but renewals for Technet are cheaper, does anyone have a preference as to one over the other? From what I can see you get more from the Technet subscription but for less, how does that work?!

Also are the licences from either product tied to the subscription, ie if you don't renew after 12 months the licences will expire?

[Netraider]

I have the Action Pack which gives me a Technet subscription as well. You don't get the developer tools, but just about everything else.

HTH

[SimonMac]

I have the Action Pack which gives me a Technet subscription as well. You don't get the developer tools, but just about everything else.

HTH

What does the MAPS give you onto of the Technet then?

[Netraider]

The partner pack software is for internal use to help you develop your business. The Technet pack is supposed to be for demos etc.

The actual software packs are similar although the Technet pack has some legacy software (DOS etc)

[Scoobos]

technet has the more comprehensive back catalog , if that floats your boat(Professional upwards)

Its six of one and half a dozen of the other, for new / current releases though.

[centurian]

Do either of them have perpetual licenses (like proper MSDN - and the old Empower programme)

Or do you have to renew your subscription every year.

[Lockhouse]

Do either of them have perpetual licenses (like proper MSDN - and the old Empower programme)

Or do you have to renew your subscription every year.

In theory you do have to renew your subs to keep the software legal but I've never had any MAPS software expire on me and I've had a subscription for years.

[d000hg]

Yes you are legally not licensed if you stop renewing but the keys work fine. That's not really any different from just downloading a pirate copy but it does feel less dodgy.

[Sysman]

Microsoft tightening up on Technet use

El Reg: Microsoft tightens squeeze on TechNet parasites

Among other changes, Microsoft is restricting use of all software available to the 12-month period of a TechNet subscription. All the changes are due to come into effect "in the coming weeks"

Microsoft said here it's changing the rules of TechNet in order to: "[b]etter reflect the intent of the program – aiding IT professionals in evaluating current Microsoft software and to help protect the integrity of the subscription from unsupported use."

Translation: cut down on abuse by those who install the software on PCs or servers for work purposes or play time, or who let others borrow their subscription. The rules of TechNet are clear: you can only use software for testing and evaluating with accounts only being used by the named subscriber.