> Passed to me from a work colleague, Microsoft appear to be offering
> Free TechNet Plus subscriptions - which allows IT professionals to
> download and evaluate various MS products including Vista and Office.
> The link came via Hot UK Deals, so I'm linking to that [1].

> Two guys here just acquire keys for Vista Ultimate, but I believe they
> might be time limited - but useful if you need to do any testing on MS
> products.

> [1]
> http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/414146/free-technet-professional-plus-...

> Dear Phil,

> Thank you for your e-mail regarding the free TechNet subscriptions.

> We kindly inform you that the TechNet Plus team ran a survey program.
> For someone to get a free TechNet Plus subscription as part of the program,
> he/she had to participate in an initial survey.
> Only participants of the survey program were entitled to a free TechNet Plus
> Subscription.
> Those participants are not only participating in the initial survey, but
> also in several other surveys throughout the subscription year.
> The subscription is given to participants in exchange for their
> participation in this program, and only participants of this program are
> entitled to a free subscription.
> If a customer is not a survey program participant, then they are not
> entitled to this subscription.

> The link was actually inappropriately leaked online, and was not intended
> for public consumption.

> Those who signed up for the free subscriptions, and were not participating
> in the market research program, have lost their subscription. We are
> currently offering a discount on TechNet Plus Subscriptions of £ 167 / year
> to compensate for the confusion. That comes with two support incidents,
> access to the entire stack, 12 eLearning courses, the TechNet Library, and
> much more.
> In case you have not participated in that initial survey and you are
> interested in this deal, please contact us under the number below:

> 0800 281 221

> We are currently investigating who of the registered subscribers are
> entitled to a free TechNet Plus Subscription.

> In case you participated in this initial survey we kindly inform you that we
> are working around the clock to get this remediated ASAP. We truly
> appreciate your patience in this matter.

> Should you have further queries, please feel free to contact us.

> Kind Regards,

> Alexandra Reichel

> Microsoft TechNet Program

> Obviously the MS support guy wasn't aware of the survey
> program...............

> James Simm wrote:

> I've just spoken to a Microsoft support staffer, this offer is legit... but
> due to the amount of traffic at the moment, it's broken the key retrieval
> system. They're working on a fix for it currently.

> Oh well, all I wanted was a free copy of XP or Vista to run in a VM for
> testing personal projects. Anybody had a different outcome from this?

> Cheers,

> Phil

> Bizspark will give you the same thing

> On Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM, Phil
> Wastell<phil_li...@solutionperspective.co.uk> wrote:
> > If anyone else has since lost their free TechNet
> > subscription.......................

> > Dear Phil,

> > Thank you for your e-mail regarding the free TechNet subscriptions.

> > We kindly inform you that the TechNet Plus team ran a survey program.
> > For someone to get a free TechNet Plus subscription as part of the
> program,
> > he/she had to participate in an initial survey.
> > Only participants of the survey program were entitled to a free TechNet
> Plus
> > Subscription.
> > Those participants are not only participating in the initial survey, but
> > also in several other surveys throughout the subscription year.
> > The subscription is given to participants in exchange for their
> > participation in this program, and only participants of this program are
> > entitled to a free subscription.
> > If a customer is not a survey program participant, then they are not
> > entitled to this subscription.

> > The link was actually inappropriately leaked online, and was not intended
> > for public consumption.

> > Those who signed up for the free subscriptions, and were not
> participating
> > in the market research program, have lost their subscription. We are
> > currently offering a discount on TechNet Plus Subscriptions of £ 167 /
> year
> > to compensate for the confusion. That comes with two support incidents,
> > access to the entire stack, 12 eLearning courses, the TechNet Library,
> and
> > much more.
> > In case you have not participated in that initial survey and you are
> > interested in this deal, please contact us under the number below:

> > 0800 281 221

> > We are currently investigating who of the registered subscribers are
> > entitled to a free TechNet Plus Subscription.

> > In case you participated in this initial survey we kindly inform you that
> we
> > are working around the clock to get this remediated ASAP. We truly
> > appreciate your patience in this matter.

> > Should you have further queries, please feel free to contact us.

> > Kind Regards,

> > Alexandra Reichel

> > Microsoft TechNet Program

> > Obviously the MS support guy wasn't aware of the survey
> > program...............

> > James Simm wrote:

> > I've just spoken to a Microsoft support staffer, this offer is legit...
> but
> > due to the amount of traffic at the moment, it's broken the key retrieval
> > system. They're working on a fix for it currently.

> > Oh well, all I wanted was a free copy of XP or Vista to run in a VM for
> > testing personal projects. Anybody had a different outcome from this?

> > Cheers,

> > Phil

Dominic Hodgson wrote:
> Bizspark will give you the same thing

> If you commit to building a bit of software (doesn't even have to be Microsoft based sotware!), could be a basic tool or even just an open source project as a sole trader I can get you signed up for BizSpark.

> I won't hold you to building it :-) Just tell me you will.

> More information here: http://www.pixelprogramming.com/bizspark-network-partner/

Phil Winstanley wrote:
> Phil,

> If you commit to building a bit of software (doesn't even have to be Microsoft based sotware!), could be a basic tool or even just an open source project as a sole trader I can get you signed up for BizSpark.

> I won't hold you to building it :-) Just tell me you will.

> More information here: http://www.pixelprogramming.com/bizspark-network-partner/

> If you commit to building a bit of software (doesn't even have to be Microsoft based sotware!), could be a basic tool or even just an open source project as a sole trader I can get you signed up for BizSpark.

> I won't hold you to building it :-) Just tell me you will.

> More information here: http://www.pixelprogramming.com/bizspark-network-partner/

> Phil Winstanley wrote:
> > Phil,

> > If you commit to building a bit of software (doesn't even have to be
> Microsoft based sotware!), could be a basic tool or even just an open source
> project as a sole trader I can get you signed up for BizSpark.

> > I won't hold you to building it :-) Just tell me you will.

> > More information here:
> http://www.pixelprogramming.com/bizspark-network-partner/
> Excellent, I'll have a look tonight.

> Thanks,

> Phil

> Phil,

> If you commit to building a bit of software (doesn't even have to be  
> Microsoft based sotware!), could be a basic tool or even just an  
> open source project as a sole trader I can get you signed up for  
> BizSpark.

> I won't hold you to building it :-) Just tell me you will.

> On 17 Jun 2009, at 16:47, Dominic Hodgson wrote:

>> The "I love vista" tattoo on your back is a small price to pay (read
>> the small print ;) )

> You should see what it says on his ass (something about "Surface")

>>>>>>>>I thought that was his elbow!
> Kian Ryan

> Mobile:                   +44 (0) 798 333 43 24
> E-mail:                   k...@bcs.org
> Web:                       http://www.kianryan.co.uk/

On 17 Jun 2009, at 16:47, Dominic Hodgson wrote:

> The "I love vista" tattoo on your back is a small price to pay (read
> the small print ;) )

You should see what it says on his ass (something about "Surface")

Kian Ryan

Mobile:                   +44 (0) 798 333 43 24
E-mail:                   k...@bcs.org
Web:                       http://www.kianryan.co.uk/

Pixel Programming (Registered number: 6548345) and Secret Volcano Lair (Registered number: 06103603) are limited companies registered in England and Wales. Registered offices: 109 Soughers Lane, Wigan, Manchester, WN4 0JT.

On 18/06/2009 09:21, "Kian Ryan" <kianro...@googlemail.com> wrote:

> On 17 Jun 2009, at 16:47, Dominic Hodgson wrote:

>> The "I love vista" tattoo on your back is a small price to pay (read
>> the small print ;) )

> You should see what it says on his ass (something about "Surface")

>>>>>>>>I thought that was his elbow!

> Kian Ryan

> Mobile:                   +44 (0) 798 333 43 24
> E-mail:                   k...@bcs.org
> Web:                       http://www.kianryan.co.uk/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
--------

Frank Fenten
We love the web ltd.

www.welovetheweb.com

Tel: 01422 847958
Mob: 07968 181 241
Fax: didn't they go out with kipper ties?
Skype: Frankfenten

First Floor
Beehive Mill
Hebble End
Hebden Bridge
West Yorkshire
HX7 6HJ
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
--------

Beyond web design

We do the things that make the web useful:
content management, eLearning, eMarketing systems, databases, online
publishing, eCommmerce and bespoke web development

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
--------

We love the web limited is a company registered in England and Wales with
company number 04973398
VAT number - 866 8337 74

Pixel Programming (Registered number: 6548345) and Secret Volcano Lair (Registered number: 06103603) are limited companies registered in England and Wales. Registered offices: 109 Soughers Lane, Wigan, Manchester, WN4 0JT.

> "If you're looking for the arse, you might need a copy of Greys Anatomy"

> -----Original Message-----
> From: geekup@googlegroups.com [mailto:geekup@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Frank Fenten
> Sent: 18 June 2009 09:32
> To: geekup@googlegroups.com
> Subject: [GeekUp] Re: Free Microsoft TechNet Plus Subscriptions

> On 18/06/2009 09:21, "Kian Ryan" <kianro...@googlemail.com> wrote:

> > On 17 Jun 2009, at 16:47, Dominic Hodgson wrote:

> >> The "I love vista" tattoo on your back is a small price to pay (read
> >> the small print ;) )

> > You should see what it says on his ass (something about "Surface")

> >>>>>>>>I thought that was his elbow!

> > Kian Ryan

> > Mobile:                   +44 (0) 798 333 43 24
> > E-mail:                   k...@bcs.org
> > Web:                      http://www.kianryan.co.uk/

> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
> --------

> Frank Fenten
> We love the web ltd.

> www.welovetheweb.com

> Tel: 01422 847958
> Mob: 07968 181 241
> Fax: didn't they go out with kipper ties?
> Skype: Frankfenten

> First Floor
> Beehive Mill
> Hebble End
> Hebden Bridge
> West Yorkshire
> HX7 6HJ
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
> --------

> Beyond web design

> We do the things that make the web useful:
> content management, eLearning, eMarketing systems, databases, online
> publishing, eCommmerce and bespoke web development

> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
> --------

> We love the web limited is a company registered in England and Wales with
> company number 04973398
> VAT number - 866 8337 74

> Pixel Programming (Registered number: 6548345) and Secret Volcano Lair (Registered number: 06103603) are limited companies registered in England and Wales. Registered offices: 109 Soughers Lane, Wigan, Manchester, WN4 0JT.

> Phil Winstanley wrote:
>> Signup is simple too, you can have MSDN access in under 10 minutes  
>> after I register you.
> He's not wrong, signup couldn't be simpler.

> Big thanks to Phil, excellent service!

> Same here. Pity downloading the software isn't as quick.

>> Phil Winstanley wrote:
>>> Signup is simple too, you can have MSDN access in under 10 minutes
>>> after I register you.
>> He's not wrong, signup couldn't be simpler.

>> Big thanks to Phil, excellent service!

>> Same here. Pity downloading the software isn't as quick.

> Are you able to download at all?  All my download links are greyed out :-(

> osfameron

>> On 18 Jun 2009, at 13:46, Phil Wastell wrote:

>>> Phil Winstanley wrote:
>>>> Signup is simple too, you can have MSDN access in under 10 minutes
>>>> after I register you.
>>> He's not wrong, signup couldn't be simpler.

>>> Big thanks to Phil, excellent service!

> 2009/6/18 Mark White <markwh...@mdpuk.com>:

>> Same here. Pity downloading the software isn't as quick.

> Are you able to download at all?  All my download links are greyed  
> out :-(

> osfameron

>> On 18 Jun 2009, at 13:46, Phil Wastell wrote:

>>> Phil Winstanley wrote:
>>>> Signup is simple too, you can have MSDN access in under 10 minutes
>>>> after I register you.
>>> He's not wrong, signup couldn't be simpler.

>>> Big thanks to Phil, excellent service!

> Mine were until I used a windows computer and used IE. All my mac and
> linux machines had the download link grayed out..

> I am going to run XP in virtual box and hope to use that from now on
> to download the software.

> I was going to run the servers virtually in esxi anyway just for
> testing and writing instal scripts.

> Mark
> On 18 Jun 2009, at 14:17, Hakim Cassimally wrote:

>> 2009/6/18 Mark White <markwh...@mdpuk.com>:

>>> Same here. Pity downloading the software isn't as quick.

>> Are you able to download at all?  All my download links are greyed
>> out :-(

>> osfameron

>>> On 18 Jun 2009, at 13:46, Phil Wastell wrote:

>>>> Phil Winstanley wrote:
>>>>> Signup is simple too, you can have MSDN access in under 10 minutes
>>>>> after I register you.
>>>> He's not wrong, signup couldn't be simpler.

>>>> Big thanks to Phil, excellent service!