Filed under: Developer, OS Updates, Microsoft, Commercial
Microsoft gets drunk, gives away Technet subscriptions
Ok, so I can't actually back that title up with any actual evidence, but when Microsoft pulls a Jack Napier and starts throwing money on the people of Gotham, you assume something is up.
Regardless, they're handing out free subscriptions to TechNet Plus - which normally run $349. Sign up via the appropriate link for the US, Canada, or the UK (readers in other countries may be out of luck), complete the registration forms, and you'll get access to all the glorious goodies in the TechNet vault. Despite my misgivings about the certificate warnings and badly-rendered page layouts, this is the real deal.
There are, of course, a couple catches. First, it appears as though the program will expire on September 30 - not a terrible thing, since you'll still get three full months of downloads and access. Second - and a much bigger issue - is that product key troubles abound.
It's all fine and dandy to have access to download things like Windows Home Server and Office 2007 straight from Microsoft, but access to legitimate keys is equally (or perhaps more) important.
That said, with a little patience and several re-clicks, I've managed to secure keys for Home Server and Office 2007 - so it does work.
Update: with IE8 and compatibility mode enabled, I'm having very good results getting product keys (9:36AM Central)
Update: Even better results when using Opera 10. WTH?
Update: Original links may no longer be working...Try this product link, as suggested in the comments:
Quick, go sign up before they come to their senses!
[via Ars Technica]
Regardless, they're handing out free subscriptions to TechNet Plus - which normally run $349. Sign up via the appropriate link for the US, Canada, or the UK (readers in other countries may be out of luck), complete the registration forms, and you'll get access to all the glorious goodies in the TechNet vault. Despite my misgivings about the certificate warnings and badly-rendered page layouts, this is the real deal.
There are, of course, a couple catches. First, it appears as though the program will expire on September 30 - not a terrible thing, since you'll still get three full months of downloads and access. Second - and a much bigger issue - is that product key troubles abound.
It's all fine and dandy to have access to download things like Windows Home Server and Office 2007 straight from Microsoft, but access to legitimate keys is equally (or perhaps more) important.
That said, with a little patience and several re-clicks, I've managed to secure keys for Home Server and Office 2007 - so it does work.
Update: with IE8 and compatibility mode enabled, I'm having very good results getting product keys (9:36AM Central)
Update: Even better results when using Opera 10. WTH?
Update: Original links may no longer be working...Try this product link, as suggested in the comments:
Quick, go sign up before they come to their senses!
[via Ars Technica]
With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet.
They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Bufsabre said 9:01AM on 6-03-2009
you poseted the cananda link for the US
https://om2.one.microsoft.com/offer/technet_na.aspx
for the US if anyone is interested
Reply
Lee Mathews said 9:02AM on 6-03-2009
Fixed - thanks!
r3loaded said 9:26AM on 6-03-2009
It seems to be stuck in an infinite loop after logging in with my Windows Live ID.
Reply
Kartik said 9:31AM on 6-03-2009
It doesn't work. Keeps giving an error, "We are unable to validate your customer information and proceed with your order at this time." :-(
Reply
Jeff said 9:36AM on 6-03-2009
I'm getting the same error
Greg said 9:54AM on 6-03-2009
Anyone figure out why this is happening?
dziban303 said 9:50AM on 6-03-2009
Same. I'm gonna try the Canada link.
dziban303 said 9:50AM on 6-03-2009
Update: Canada link doesn't work either. Bupkis.
Neil said 9:54AM on 6-03-2009
Same here, using the US link.
Kururugi Suzaku said 9:37AM on 6-03-2009
OMG It works!!!!
I got like 5 keys for office ultimate!!!!!
I got keys for Vista Ultimate!!!
THANK YOU DOWNLOADSQUAD!!!!
Reply
whookid said 9:39AM on 6-03-2009
Thanks for the tip off, very useful!!
Reply
Toaster said 9:39AM on 6-03-2009
Haven't been able to get keys yet. boo.
Reply
Nakul Sharma said 9:45AM on 6-03-2009
getting error :( going to try again and again
Reply
Kururugi said 9:47AM on 6-03-2009
Mine says:
Expiration Date: 1/1/1900
????
Do you think it'll last till Win 7?
Reply
Bufsabre said 10:15AM on 6-03-2009
From Arstechnica:
UPDATE:
I am now hearing that this is part of a pilot program that is set to expire on September 30, 2009, which means it's more of a three month deal, but hey, free is free! Currently, the expiration date reads "1/1/1900" but Microsoft is working on fixing that.
dan said 9:49AM on 6-03-2009
how on earth has anyone managed to get it to render without the box on the left in the way... i can't type into the right boxes!!!!
Reply
Jeff said 9:53AM on 6-03-2009
I get the box when using Firefox, so I tried IE and it doesn't give the box...but I'm getting the error that they can't validate my information
Brad Linder said 9:53AM on 6-03-2009
Try using Internet Explorer.
Dan said 9:56AM on 6-03-2009
nope, IE8 wont even let me on it, says I have to let it accept cookies... :'O i have IE i swear!! :P im running win7 though, might make a difference
/shrug
syythlord said 9:56AM on 6-03-2009
Errors as well and I've been trying to get it since 8:30am EST.
Reply