Technet retiring

[sys-eng]

#%$! that sucks

Will our current license keys continue to work?

If you have renewed since the last T&C update, your license keys are only valid through the subscription period. After that, they may be automatically blacklisted though Microsoft has been hushed about that.

 

[Big Jim]

Could someone just clarify a point for me.

If I sign up for technet now will my subscription still stand for a year with the exact same benefits that I would have had normally ?

 

[Markverhyden]

Could someone just clarify a point for me.

If I sign up for technet now will my subscription still stand for a year with the exact same benefits that I would have had normally ?

You have until August 31, 2013 to purchase a subscription and have to have it registered by the end September 2013. The keys and downloads will stay valid until the end of your subscription in 2014.

Not surprisingly you won't find it on the Technet page.

I did mention above a method for getting Technet sub's after this but still have not heard back all of the details from the person who was testing it.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/2013/07/02/microsoft-technet/

 

[Markverhyden]

You have until August 31, 2013 to purchase a subscription and have to have it registered by the end September 2013. The keys and downloads will stay valid until the end of your subscription in 2014.

Not surprisingly you won't find it on the Technet page.

I did mention above a method for getting Technet sub's after this but still have not heard back all of the details from the person who was testing it.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/2013/07/02/microsoft-technet/

Someone on the savetechnet listserve has confirmed that you can buy Technet through VLK, after you have signed up for VLK of course. In addition to the same offering in the retail Technet you have access to VL versions as well.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Bet you Can't do that after Sep 1st. VLK doesn't give extensions to discontinued products.

 

[Markverhyden]

Bet you Can't do that after Sep 1st. VLK doesn't give extensions to discontinued products.

From http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ms772427.aspx

The last day to purchase a TechNet Subscription through the TechNet Subscriptions website is August 31, 2013. Subscribers may activate purchased subscriptions through September 30, 2013. The TechNet benefits portal and the subscriber downloads page will remain available for non-Volume Licensing subscribers through September 30, 2014.

So that implies that VLK will still work. And we know M$ _NEVER_ makes any mistakes (LOL).

 

[nlinecomputers]

From http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ms772427.aspx




So that implies that VLK will still work. And we know M$ _NEVER_ makes any mistakes (LOL).

No it doesn't. Your making a big assumption without any proof. VLKs have always had longer support times then retail versions of the product. SUPPORT FOR EXISTING purchases. For example support for Xp VLK ends on April 2014. Try and BUY a new Xp VLK now. Can't do it. They will support what is out there but not let you buy a new one. Same thing here. You can purchase a Technet VLK subscription but not after the first. At best you might be able to purchase a longer then one year subscription but considering that EOL for Technet ends Next September for everyone I don't think you are going to get a longer period or the ability to buy new ones after the 1st. You haven't found a magic back door. Technet is going away for everybody on Saturday.

 

[ABTECH]

Microsoft will be adding some new changes to Technet. If you ordered before 8/31 you get a few extra months for free. For MCT's there will be a new offering just for you.


http://windowsitpro.com/industry/microsoft-attempts-ease-demise-technet-subscribers-building-replacement-mcts

 

[Markverhyden]

Microsoft will be adding some new changes to Technet. If you ordered before 8/31 you get a few extra months for free. For MCT's there will be a new offering just for you.


http://windowsitpro.com/industry/microsoft-attempts-ease-demise-technet-subscribers-building-replacement-mcts

I read that earlier today. No much to that bone they tossed us except that they claim they will add legacy software to the current trial versions. That was a big beef I had. Being able to get copies of older software for troubleshooting/model validation purposes.

 

[Martyn]

Just got this update from Microsoft about TechNet

Two of the most common pieces of feedback we heard are that you need more time to prepare for this change, and ongoing access to prior versions of Microsoft software. As a result, we’re announcing the following updates:

Eligible subscribers with active accounts as of September 1, 2013 will receive a free, one-time, 90 day subscription extension. You can continue to access your product downloads, use your professional support calls*, and get priority support in TechNet Forums through your updated expiration date, which you can find on the My Account page of the TechNet Subscriptions benefits portal.
As TechNet Subscriptions customers begin to transition to the free evaluation resources Microsoft provides, we’re improving the TechNet Evaluation Center by making prior versions of products available for trial. Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and others are available now. We will add additional products over time.

 

[Steve202]

At least they've kinda listened to feedback. Just a shame they're getting rid of Technet.

 

[sys-eng]

Agreed. I'm failing to understand what one has to do with the other. One of the reasons ms is retiring the program is too many less than reputable folks out there view the subscription as a way to make money by using the licenses on customer machines or forgoing vlk services. Msdn will eventually get cut down or slimmed down. Action pack already got minimized. All because people use these as an end run around legit licensing.

I have a friend who works for Microsoft at the big center in Charlotte. He says that misuse of Technet license keys is not the big issue and are less than 1% of the number of hacked versions in and coming from China, India, and other places where Intellectual Property (IP) is not very well protected. The big push at Microsoft is "The Cloud" and pay as you use. You see it with Office and other programs. Now if you have ever attempted to do real system testing in the cloud then you know it is nearly worthless from a system perspective. It is fine for developers but not for systems. There is already plenty of discussion on the significant limitations of the new evaluation program to show that is is not even close to a good substitution.

I believe it is a mistake for Microsoft and will hurt them in the long run. It was an advantage they had over Apple. Technet provided an economical test lab for self-training because most IT professional cannot afford thousands $ for a short one-week training course. Trained professionals ALWAYS promote the product. That is how UNIX gained such popularity after AT&T give it away (free) to all educational institutions.

 

[Markverhyden]

I have a friend who works for Microsoft at the big center in Charlotte. He says that misuse of Technet license keys is not the big issue and are less than 1% of the number of hacked versions in and coming from China, India, and other places where Intellectual Property (IP) is not very well protected. The big push at Microsoft is "The Cloud" and pay as you use. You see it with Office and other programs. Now if you have ever attempted to do real system testing in the cloud then you know it is nearly worthless from a system perspective. It is fine for developers but not for systems. There is already plenty of discussion on the significant limitations of the new evaluation program to show that is is not even close to a good substitution.

I believe it is a mistake for Microsoft and will hurt them in the long run. It was an advantage they had over Apple. Technet provided an economical test lab for self-training because most IT professional cannot afford thousands $ for a short one-week training course. Trained professionals ALWAYS promote the product. That is how UNIX gained such popularity after AT&T give it away (free) to all educational institutions.

And don't forget M$ has to pay money to manage that part of Technet.

 

[sys-eng]

I doubt there is much differ3ence in management cost. The new approach may cost more because of cloud resource required.

My Microsoft friend who works in server support said the HUGE loss to Microsoft is going to be the feedback and trouble diagnostic exchange they get for free on the TechNet forums. He believes that participation in the forums will drop significantly with the end of the TechNet license program. He believes that the leaders have not even considered the additional resources and time that is going to be needed for support after the TechNet subscriptions expire. I had not thought of that either but it is obvious that he does have a very valid point.