Well to wrap things up, I just got off the phone with Microsoft support and spoke directly with an MSDNAA rep about licensing. I explained the discussion we have been having regarding licensing for student software and the MSDNAA and he confirmed what I have been saying.
1. As a student, you are entitled to various student discount programs on Microsoft software such as the Win741, Ultimate Steal, Dreamspark and MSDNAA. Some of them are greatly reduced in price while others are free like MSDNAA. These are full versions of the software that are yours to use and keep and can be updated just like retail software. 2. They are identical to their retail counterparts and can be updated. The only differ in their license which limits you from using it in a business environment or to make money. In other words, if you write a great program with Visual Studio and want to sell it, you need to purchase a retail license. Also, because it is student software, you cannot turn around and sell it to someone else on eBay, etc. It is licensed to you only. The purpose is to allow students to use Microsoft products with the hope that they will continue to use them after leaving school much like Apple used to do with putting Apple computers in schools for dirt cheap. 3. Once you are no longer a student you can no longer access MSDNAA or qualify for student pricing on software. But any software you received as a student is yours to keep, use and update. You can even upgrade to the next version of the software just like you can with a retail copy. (Obviously you would have to purchase the upgrade like everyone else at non-student prices). Hopefully that clears it up once and for all. Oh, and sorry about the top posting and lack of trimming. Dave Darrough
-------------------- BYU Unix Users Group http://uug.byu.edu/ The opinions expressed in this message are the responsibility of their author. They are not endorsed by BYU, the BYU CS Department or BYU-UUG. ___________________________________________________________________ List Info (unsubscribe here): http://uug.byu.edu/mailman/listinfo/uug-list
