Microsoft Action Pack Subscription: destroy what I just bought?

[nwarawa]

I thought this would best fit in Hot Deals, as many of us here signed up for this last year for $100. I didn't renew for another year (which would have cost $200) and I just got a letter from Microsoft threatening me to destroy all the software they sent... or else...

Anyone have any stories of Microsoft taking it further?

 

[gshock888]

think about how much that software is worth at retail price
now divide that by microsoft assets... or no divide that by a microsoft lawyer's salary

you'll find out that number is so small, the windows calculator would have a hard time displaying the zeroes.

 

[cnjmorris]

What subscription are you refering to? Where can it be found?

 

[Yolner]

Tell them you did...

 

[gr8tango]

My action pack is extremely cost effective for our company with over 5 employees, not to mention the virtual pc licenses which effectively allow for 40 virtualized machines. It's well worth it for a business - maybe not so much for an individual.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: nwarawa
I thought this would best fit in Hot Deals, as many of us here signed up for this last year for $100. I didn't renew for another year (which would have cost $200) and I just got a letter from Microsoft threatening me to destroy all the software they sent... or else...

Anyone have any stories of Microsoft taking it further?

Nothing to be alarmed about. All you have to do is destroy the software and you'll be fine. They are simply following protocol.

 

[sapiens74]

using the action pack helped me get my company going. I had little initial software costs

 

[cnjmorris]

You didn't buy the software, you bought the right to use it for a year. That is why it is a subscription.

 

[STotaro]

I am reporting you all @ Tattle Tale

 

[psykohog]

I just turned myself in.
I could not sleep because of the guilt.

 

[TTM77]

Originally posted by: psykohog
I just turned myself in.
I could not sleep because of the guilt.

I did that. The police toll me to go to the church instead. LOL

 

[Fritzo]

You need to destroy it, but seriously they don't do anything if you don't. I've done contract work for companies that are still using Office 2000 from their 4 year old "action pack equivelent" service (it used to be called something else).

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: cnjmorris
You didn't buy the software, you bought the right to use it for a year. That is why it is a subscription.

$300 a year for that much software (updated anually) is still cheap (assuming you actually use all that software)

 

[dabuddha]

The BSA is coming to your town.

 

[JackMDS]

For people who actually use this pack $199 subscription fee is not a big deal, they rather renew than wasting time on complaining that they should not be held to their part of the contract.

But, many home users that got it do not really use it. It just makes them feel secure that they have something so impressive.:beer:

If you do not renew it and keep using it there the Insecure feeling that you would get caught.:shocked:

Security by having it ? Insecurity by having it Not renewed.

LOL, I guess that what ever is stronger would Win.

:sun:

 

[rasputinj]

The renewal is worth it for me to get the software upgrades and new software each year.

 

[NickNack]

Originally posted by: rasputinj
The renewal is worth it for me to get the software upgrades and new software each year.

Same here !
I renew every year.
I have a fairly extensive home network and I have not spent an extra $ for software (other than games LOL).
I am currently running:
4 PC+ 2 laptops all on XP pro
1 SQL server+on Win2003
1 Exchange server+on Win2003
Office 2003pro on each machine
Mappoint, visio etc...
Currently "playing" with CRM and ISA...
Well worth the $199 dont you think ?

 

[cnjmorris]

Well, if you figure that is is $299 to sign up... and if you do not currently own Microsoft Office 2003 then you have already got your moneys worth. Of course, you only legally own rights to it for a year. Still, odds are that there will be a new version of Office next year... plus all the other software. So... very worth it, even for home users. Particularly home users like me who really need these tools to learn how to run them before we get to the work environment.

 

[NickNack]

Originally posted by: cnjmorris
Well, if you figure that is is $299 to sign up... and if you do not currently own Microsoft Office 2003 then you have already got your moneys worth. Of course, you only legally own rights to it for a year. Still, odds are that there will be a new version of Office next year... plus all the other software. So... very worth it, even for home users. Particularly home users like me who really need these tools to learn how to run them before we get to the work environment.

Dont forget that the action pack "gives" you 10 licenses for the OS and applications.
How much is office2K3 pro ? $300 ? x10 =$3000
And free upgrades as long as you renew.

 

[JackMDS]

Virtual PC 2004 is also included in the pack.

Which means that you can install it on WinXP and then configure Window 2003 Server as a Guest with few more WinXPs as Guests and use it as a tool for learning high level Networking, all on one computer.

More about VPC here: Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 - A Network Perspective.

:sun:

 

[Winchester]

I called when I got my renewal notice, and the CSR said that I fell into a category that they no longer allowed to subscribe. I asked her if I had to still destroy it, she said since I fell into that category that I did not have to and that I could use it for whatever I wanted to. Cool I thought.

 

[IEC]

Wow, this may be something I consider later on... when I have money

 

[Jumpem]

Can someone post information on this?

 

[ECartman]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
Can someone post information on this?

check out this old thread for info:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...MS+AND+Action+AND+Pack

 

[neonerd]

wtf? you have to DESTROY the software after a year?

EDIT: oh, if you don't renew