Dreamspark?

[laura_seabrook]

As a university student I might be eligible to get free software from Micro$oft. Not sure how this works just yet, but I intend to check it out. Looked at the videos for Expression Studio and the vector editing component (Design) looked good.

However, does anyone know more about this? Are the programs limited somehow or does registration lapse after a time? I couldn't actually find that information anywhere on the site (but not doubt it's there anyway).

(and no, it doesn't run under DOS...)

Comments

[faffinoodle.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure about free... But heavily discounted yes. I got Vista for $80 instead of $180.

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

Does it run under...never mind....

[laura-seabrook.livejournal.com]

heh heh - gotcha!

[mundanecircus.livejournal.com]

Most software are the full versions sold for a really cheap price -- in 2002, when I was a junior college student as part of training under the unemployment program, I bought the latest (at the time) versions of Adobe Acrobat and the Dreamweaver suite (forgot the actual name, but it had Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash and Freehand) for 80% off what it costs retail (the Dreamweaver suite was normally $1000, I bought for $200). And the programs were full, uncrippled versions. Have not encountered any "free for students" software, though.

[zelieq.livejournal.com]

the completely free open source alternatives will do a just as good if not better job, without the added disincentive of using windows.

[laura-seabrook.livejournal.com]

But I'll have XP for a while anyway, until I can find a decent replacement for Paint Shop Pro (GIMP doesn't cut it at the moment).

[cyclops25503.livejournal.com]

Yes, the software available under Dreamspark is free, and yes, it is exactly the same as the software you'd normally pay big money for. I got Windows Server 2003 and 2008, as well as a few other things from DreamSpark, they give you the CD key and everything else that you need to get it up and going...the only thing is that you need to open a Dreamspark account, which requires a Windows Live account (basically a hotmail address) AND a university email account. (to prove that you're a student)

As for how long the programs last for...you can activate them like you can any other MS software...but whether they kill your ability to activate after you graduate, I don't know...ask me in a year. :P

[laura-seabrook.livejournal.com]

Actually, I already have a LIVE account, which I created when I was mucking around with internet telephone software (I evenentually ended up using Skype), and I do have a uni e-mail address.

I got Expressions Design running. Really different interface - things are not where I'd expect them to be!