Microsoft MSDN Universal Subscription 7.0 [Old Version]

by Microsoft

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00005NGPB
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 22, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,510 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #76 in Software > Programming > Development Utilities
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

MSDN Universal provides priority access to resources for developers, including timely delivery of everything needed to build XML Web services and applications. Through MSDN subscriber downloads and automatic shipments, subscribers receive the latest Microsoft technologies and information as soon as they are available. With developer-licensed versions of Microsoft operating systems and Microsoft enterprise servers, users can fully test a broad range of applications.

Use Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Architect to design XML Web services and provide architectural guidance for development teams. MSDN Universal keeps users up-to-date with priority access to the latest versions of Visual Studio .NET. Get the newest Microsoft development tools, Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server technologies, productivity applications such as Microsoft Office XP and Microsoft Visio, the MSDN Library, and technical support, and develop and test versions of the latest Microsoft operating systems.

As a subscriber, receive the most current Microsoft technical resources including code samples, SDKs, DDKs, public betas, and product documentation. Get uninterrupted access to the latest Microsoft technologies 24 hours a day, seven days a week online and through regular CD or DVD updates.

Note: Customers purchasing this subscription will receive a form that must be filled out and returned in order to start the subscription. Actual CD-ROMs will come directly from Microsoft once the subscription has started.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential tool for any Microsoft developer, April 30, 2003

By 

Paulo E. Reichert "preichert" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft MSDN Universal Subscription 7.0 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

If you develop software for Microsoft platform, you can't live without it.

On this package you will get everything, form Windows to Visual Studio, passing by all the servers and productivity applications from Microsoft that are relevant to our work.

Also, with this package you can get things before they hit the shelves. I got Visual Studio .NET 2002 one month before its launch, Windows Server 2003 almost one month too and Visual Studio .NET 2003 more than two weeks before it.

You receive tons of documentation, SDK, samples and help material...

A must have.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "Activation code already being used", January 27, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Microsoft MSDN Universal Subscription 7.0 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

MSDN is probably essential if you develop software for Windows, but I had a problem activating my subscription online. The activation page says my subscription number is currently being used. Be prepared to mail in your activation request (no fax, no web), sending in the activation card, the top of the box, and invoice. After paying over two grand, I still need to wait up to 10 days to start using my subscription. Looks like there is a security problem with the activation numbers. For the cost of the subscription, it should be quicker to activate, notwithstanding the securty issue. After all, Microsoft seems to be letting someone else use my subscription for free--why not me too?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product, poor subscription process., September 3, 2004

By 

Tony Hoyle (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft MSDN Universal Subscription 7.0 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

I really couldn't do without MSDN Universal, however it sometimes seems like MS don't want people to subscribe.

My activation code was rejected (no reason given) and after having to make an overseas call to find out why I'm told that I must fax the form in (no other option is given)... I have no fax, so that would have meant another £200 outlay just for this one item. I kept trying with the online registration instead, and after a few hours it suddenly decided to accept my registration.

The problems don't stop there, as although your 12 months subscription starts from the moment of activation, you're not actually allowed to use it for the first 2 weeks as they won't send you your subscription ID for 10 working days (no reason for this is given) - this effectively means you're only getting an 11.5 month subscription not a 12 month one.

I think the product is very good value (Visual Studio Enterprise alone costs the same as the subscription), but the registration experience is extremely poor.