Spacer Sidebar Directory Map

The Training Book, the handbook for trainers

Training Express computer learning guides

 

ITrain - International Association of Information Technology Trainers

Free Microsoft Software

Just hand over your wallet and your soul

ITINFO Sponsor

ITrain Certified Software Learning Guides

Instructor-led training materials for all popular software applications.

Printed and electronic formats with plenty of hands-on exercises.
Sample guides available online.
Members in good standing automatically receive a 15% discount.

books@itrain.org
Certified Software Learning Guides

Internet Poll
Have you attended a seminar via e-learning?
yes
no

poll archive

Get Free Microsoft Software

by Dave Murphy
ISSN 1535-3613

Dave Murphy, DGL President & ITrain founder Microsoft has announced an interesting offer for all Microsoft Certified Security Partner Program (MCSPP) participants: a whopper-sized pile of free software.

Here's what MCSPP participants get:

  1. Up to five licenses for Visio 2002 Pro and Project 2002 Pro
  2. Up to ten licenses for Office XP Developer Edition
  3. Up to twenty licenses for Windows XP Pro
  4. One SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Server
  5. Ten SQL Server 2000 CALs (Client Access Licenses)
  6. One Exchange 2000 Enterprise Server
  7. Ten Exchange 2000 Server CALs
  8. One SharePoint Portal Server
  9. Ten SharePoint Portal Server CALs
  10. One Small Business Server
  11. Five Small Business Server CALs
  12. One Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  13. One Project 2002 Server
  14. Ten Microsoft Project 2002 CALs
  15. Windows XP -- buy one get one free for a maximum of ten.
  16. Visual Studio.NET -- buy one get one free for a maximum of five.
  17. Visio 2002 Pro -- buy one get one free for a maximum of five.
  18. Project 2002 Professional -- buy one get one free for a maximum of five.
  19. SharePoint Portal Server -- buy one get one free.
  20. SharePoint Portal Server CALs -- buy one get one free for a maximum of ten.
  21. program plaque
  22. Identity Kit
  23. Microsoft Certified Partner Logo materials
  24. Logo Guidelines
  25. Technical materials
  26. Sales literature
  27. Marketing promotional material

Fine Print

Although the software is free, you'll have to pay at least $1,450 a year to join the program, and you have to employ at least two exclusive Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCP), such as Microsoft Certified System Engineers (MCSE).

By the way, you also have to sign a contract that states you promise not to discuss any Microsoft security bugs until you're authorized by Big Bill.

Dave's Opinion

Microsoft states that all partners "shall follow a code of conduct regarding the responsible handling of security vulnerabilities." Which means, keep your mouth shut unless you're spouting the Microsoft party line.

Does anyone else have a problem with this? How will this restriction affect Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCT)? Can they no longer openly and honestly help learners react to security bugs that could destroy a company's entire data warehouse?

Does anyone else have a problem with this?

Call for Comments

What do you think? Leave your comments on the message center.

References

Microsoft Partner Program
Message Center

Subscribe to ITINFO.
Receive computing and Internet news & tips
by subscribing to the ITINFO information service.
Type your Internet email address in the form, and click "Subscribe."
Email Address:

Damar Group, Ltd. helps business use technology.

ITINFO is again accepting sponsors. Sponsor messages are included in ITINFO's email newsletter and are permanently posted to DGL's website and online reference areas.

ITINFO is an electronic publication of Damar Group, Ltd., publisher of Training Express computer learning guides. Comments and submissions to info@dgl.com.

Previous issues are on our website at http://dgl.com/itinfo/.

updated December 14, 2001
http://dgl.com/itinfo/2001/it011214.html

Return to DGL homepage
Copyright © 2001, Damar Group, Ltd., All Rights Reserved