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Angry at advisor: Didn't tell me all Microsoft programs are free

dullard

dullard

Elite Member
Begin Rant

I've been in the unfortunate position of knowing more about computers than anyone else in my department. I've thus been forced to attempt to fix every complaint that anyone has about computers. This can be a nightmare since the network has 6 different operating sytems; countess versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc; and many computers lacking useful software that the users wanted. With your help, I've fixed most of the networking issues, I've found many free versions of software (ie free compilers), and you've helped with software incompatabilities. Thanks Anandtech.

Today though I found out that I was never told by my boss that I can easily and legally download any non-server Microsoft product for free (University agreement with Microsoft). Arg! If I had known that, then I could have saved so much trouble - no more Win 95 computers - only one version of MS Office for everyone - full copies of Visual Studio - etc... That would have made my work so much easier. Oh well, time to install.
 
AFAIK M$ doesn't offer any form of site licensing at all. Even MSDN only entitles you to 10 licenses per subscription and they can't be used for protection....
 


<< AFAIK M$ doesn't offer any form of site licensing at all. >>



Well, they offered it to Verizon (friend works there).
 


<< AFAIK M$ doesn't offer any form of site licensing at all. Even MSDN only entitles you to 10 licenses per subscription and they can't be used for protection.... >>


They offer quite a few different site licenses to the University of Washington as well.

Rob
 


<< AFAIK M$ doesn't offer any form of site licensing at all. Even MSDN only entitles you to 10 licenses per subscription and they can't be used for protection.... >>


University agreement:

*All existing University computers are covered for any licensed software as well as the ability to upgrade at little or no additional cost.
*Software tracking is greatly simplified. Departments no longer need to worry about purchasing the correct number of licenses for the number of computers or track expiration dates.
*This contract assures complete legal compliance at the lowest possible cost, and releases the university and its departments from any liability associated with unlicensed use of the covered software. Additionally, the University will be spared the time and expense of an intensive software audit related to Microsoft products, and possible related fines. These costs would, in all likelihood, be borne largely by departments currently using unlicensed software. This contract results in an annual increase of about $51,000 over our previous agreement.

Note: the little cost is if we want burned installation CDs - no cost for downloads.
 


<<

<< AFAIK M$ doesn't offer any form of site licensing at all. Even MSDN only entitles you to 10 licenses per subscription and they can't be used for protection.... >>


They offer quite a few different site licenses to the University of Washington as well.

Rob >>



They sell volume licenses, but not site licenses.
Licensing overview
Even the enterprise license does not imply unlimited use and you get a fixed number of licenses. If you suddenly acquire a number of new stations, you can still fall out of compliance. They want you to declare upfront how many stations you'll be installing something on.
A site license implies that you have an unlimited number of licenses.

My company has run afoul of this before.



<< All existing University computers are covered for any licensed software as well as the ability to upgrade at little or no additional cost. >>


The key here is that it is all "existing" computers. Different from a site license in which a site license has no limits. If you buy 100 new PCs they will each need to be added to the contract.
It's a nitpicky point, I admit.
 
Jzero,

You need to read a little further. This is academic licensing, which is a little different and has more leeway then private enterprise licensing.

dullard,

They're not really "free". The college paid for the licensing; probably just hasn't used all the "seats".

Russ, NCNE



 


<< Jzero,

You need to read a little further. This is academic licensing, which is a little different and has more leeway then private enterprise licensing. >>


I did. The academic license is very similar to the enterprise license.
 


<< They're not really "free". The college paid for the licensing; probably just hasn't used all the "seats". >>



I know that they have been paid for already (by the state). Thus technically they aren't free. Should I replace my statement with this: I can legally download any non-server MS product since they have all been paid for already (by someone else and without my knowledge).

The agreement is adjustable. That means that everytime someone buys a new computer they must pay an additional fee (about $130). Then that person can install any program he/she wants. So with this type of agreement, we cannot "use up all the seats" since additional seats are always made with each additional computer.
 


<< AFAIK M$ doesn't offer any form of site licensing at all. Even MSDN only entitles you to 10 licenses per subscription and they can't be used for protection.... >>



I dont think thats true. Sprint has site licensed office 97 as well as a few other software titles from MS.

well, maybe they are volume licensed.. who knows...(EDIT)
 
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