Is there any legal way to buy Microsoft software without paying an arm and a leg?

[Cougar]

Lately I've been trying my hardest to make sure that the software I use on my 3 PCs is legal and what I'm looking for now is to upgrade to Windows XP and Office 2003 legitimately. I looked into the Action Pack but I don't qualify since I don't have my own business so do I have any other options? I know you're all going to say that I should use Linux and Staroffice but I like the Microsoft alternatives and I'm going to stick with them. Also, since I'm in the tech support business it helps me to use WinXP and Office at home so I can keep sharpening my skills.

Any suggestions or am I pretty much stuck buying OEM copies from Newegg?

 

[Schadenfreude]

Get the student edition. Not a student, you say? Well, I'm a student . . .

 

[Nocturnal]

You can pick up the Microsoft Action Pack which is around $299.99. You get Office 2003 with ten cd-keys/licenses, Windows Server 2003, all kinds of software, it's crazy. Try searching Microsoft's website for "action pack" and the page will come up.

Other than that, if you're a student most times you can purchase MS software rather cheap at school.

Oh ok scratch the idea of the Action Pack if you have to own a business.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Jehovah
Get the student edition. Not a student, you say? Well, I'm a student . . .

That's the only way to get em cheap if you can't get them through a company. It you're taking computer programming classes, they will most likely give it to you free.

 

[Pocatello]

Be a student (which can be expensive in its own way), or live in Thailaind.

 

[Alkaline5]

Students in tech fields can get various MS apps for free if their school is a member of MS's educational program. I'm sure that's of no help to you, but that's the only cheap and legal means of procurement that I'm aware of.

edit: wow, general concensus.

 

[Chiropteran]

Buy a new mouse and get the OEM versions.

 

[IshmaelLeaver]

Take a class, buy the student version (at some campuses, MS software is ~$10), take the Lifetime Learning Credit to get your tuition back.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Be a student, or a developer. If you are a developer, you can obtain the MSDN subscription, but you can only use the software on computers that you use for development. If you look around, you can find Universal subscriptions for around $800-$1200 (over the advertised $2500 or so). I paid $800 back last April, and am looking for another place I can get it cheap, because the software I have access to is invaluable to me as a developer.

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: Alkaline5
Students in tech fields can get various MS apps for free if their school is a member of MS's educational program. I'm sure that's of no help to you, but that's the only cheap and legal means of procurement that I'm aware of.

edit: wow, general concensus.

Yeah, that does seem to be my only alternative but I'm not in school anymore. I was really hoping I could get in on the Action Pack because I think for the price you can't go wrong but alas I don't qualify. If worse comes to worse I'll have to get the oem editions but that's alot of money for me.

Does anyone know anything about getting a reseller's license? I'm not looking to sell the stuff but between myself, my family and friends I could potentially be buying a fair amount of software over the years.

 

[TommyVercetti]

Originally posted by: IshmaelLeaver
Take a class, buy the student version (at some campuses, MS software is ~$10), take the Lifetime Learning Credit to get your tuition back.

Yeah, look for either local universties or ones that offer long distance courses. Only pick the ones that offer software to students at a huge discount. Enroll in the course with the least credit hours and requirements (non degree courses). Buy the software.

 

[vi edit]

MS Open Campus. Just about any current MS product is $5 to $7.

Costs your university the low entry price of something like $600,000 to join it.

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
MS Open Campus. Just about any current MS product is $5 to $7.

Costs your university the low entry price of something like $600,000 to join it.

Hmmm....I'm sensing that my only choice is to become a student. So it's only $600,000 for a university uo enroll in Opem Campus, huh? I'll have to get cracking on that.

 

[waggy]

well besides being a student. you can start a legit business. When i was running my own computer store i got a bunch of MS software for free.

 

[xchangx]

My suggestion would be to get the action pack. It costs $299 for the first year then $199 to renew every year after that.

Break that up into all the software you get:

http://members.microsoft.com/partner/salesmarketing/partnermarket/actionpack/actionpack_standard.aspx

It's a good deal

 

[MDE]

Just take an intro PC class at a community college that has discounted Microsoft software.

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: waggy
well besides being a student. you can start a legit business. When i was running my own computer store i got a bunch of MS software for free.

Do you know off-hand how much it costs if you just start a business but never make any sales?

My suggestion would be to get the action pack. It costs $299 for the first year then $199 to renew every year after that.

Break that up into all the software you get:

http://members.microsoft.com/partne...nermarket/actionpack/actionpack_standard.aspx

It's a good deal

That's what I want to do xchangx but from everything I've read I need to have my own business to qualify.

 

[AntMan530]

go to a college where they have a ms aggreesment.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Cougar

Originally posted by: waggy
well besides being a student. you can start a legit business. When i was running my own computer store i got a bunch of MS software for free.

Do you know off-hand how much it costs if you just start a business but never make any sales?

My suggestion would be to get the action pack. It costs $299 for the first year then $199 to renew every year after that.

Break that up into all the software you get:

http://members.microsoft.com/partner/salesmarketing/partnermarket/actionpack/actionpack_standard.aspx

It's a good deal

That's what I want to do xchangx but from everything I've read I need to have my own business to qualify.

all you really need for that is a tax id (SS card i believe will work)

but off hand i do not know how much it takes to start a business.

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: waggy

all you really need for that is a tax id (SS card i believe will work)

but off hand i do not know how much it takes to start a business.

hmmm, I'll have to look into that. I'm really trying to avoid starting my own business because I hate all the paperwork that will be involved. You'd think with piracy running rampant Microsoft would either lower their prices, or make it easier to buy this stuff in bulk.

 

[dionx]

move to the washington area, and test xbox games. at the end of the day, they give you the choice to choose 1 item from any software whether it be a PC app or an xbox game. my friend would always pick MS Office, then ebay it.

either use that money to buy the app and pocket the rest for yourself, or just choose the app you want from the get-go

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: dionx
move to the washington area, and test xbox games. at the end of the day, they give you the choice to choose 1 item from any software whether it be a PC app or an xbox game. my friend would always pick MS Office, then ebay it.

either use that money to buy the app and pocket the rest for yourself, or just choose the app you want from the get-go

Well, moving to washington won't happen, but do you happen to know how much he ends up selling office for?

 

[waggy]

just get the student edition of office. you can throw that on 3 pc's.

anyone know if the student edition of office XP is the same? or is it just one pc?

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: waggy
just get the student edition of office. you can throw that on 3 pc's.

anyone know if the student edition of office XP is the same? or is it just one pc?

I can install the student edition of Office 2003 on 3 PCs? That's awesome! Would you happen to know if they verify if you're a student? This is still a bit in the gray area but at least it's more promising than having to start a company.

 

[wiredspider]

Ex-MS$ employees?