Microsoft responded to MCT complaints

Hi, I am the Regional Lead for Microsoft Certified Trainers in Turkey. Following Microsoft’s announcement about TechNet’s retirement, I have tried to create awareness within Microsoft that the adopted way of action will hurt legitimate customers and will cause long-term financial loss for both parties. I decided to send an e-mail to Steve Ballmer, which was kindly welcomed. This allowed me to discuss the matter with the managers of Microsoft Learning.

 

Furthermore, I wrote a report about the long-term effects of TNS retirement on the MCT community. I prepared an MCT value proposition and presented it to the management of Microsoft Learning. Their initial reaction was positive and I hope that my report will be able to spark some discussion during the MCT Summit in September.

 

Today, I have received information that Microsoft have decided to partially remedy the complaints of the MCT community. I am expecting further developments during the next couple of weeks, but as of today, 3 points have been made clear by Microsoft:

1)      TechNet subscribers that have activated their accounts before the 1^st of September will receive a “free, one-time, 90 day subscription extension”. This will adjust the date of the current MCT TechNet subscription deadline to 29 June 2014, earliest. The exact date of expiration can be checked from the “My Account” page of the TechNet Subscriptions benefits portal. You can continue to access downloads and licenses until your updated expiration date is over. For details go to http://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions/default.aspx

2)      TechNet Evaluation Center will start providing access to prior versions of the available trial software. Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Office 2010 are made available as of today. Microsoft stated that they will add additional products over time. For details go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/dn407368

 

3)      For MCTs only, Microsoft plans to replace their current TechNet NFR Subscription with a new solution (yet to be determined) that will provide them access to non-time bombed software for the duration of the 2014 MCT program membership year. As expected, the software contained in the said solution will be used for instructional purposes only. More details will be available in the coming weeks.

Konstantin Ceran

Are Microsoft Losing Friends and Alienating IT Pros?

Steve Goodman
http://www.stevieg.org/author/steve/

Original Blog/Post:
http://www.stevieg.org/2013/08/are-microsoft-losing-friends-and-alienating-it-pros/


Regular readers of my blog will know I’m a big fan of Microsoft products. As well as being an Exchange MVP, I’m very much a cloud fan – you’ll find me at Exchange Connections in a few weeks time talking about migrating to Exchange Online amongst other subjects. What I’m about to write doesn’t change any of that, and I hope the right people will read this and have a serious re-think.
Microsoft’s “Devices and Services” strategy is leaving many in the industry very confused at the moment.
If you’ve been living under a rock – I’ll give you an overview. They’ve dropped MCSM, the leading certification for their Server products. They’ve dropped TechNet subscriptions, the benchmark for how a vendor lets its IT pros evaluate and learn about their range of products. And they’ve been very lax with the quality of updates for their on-premises range of products, Exchange included, whilst at the same time releasing features only in their cloud products.
A range of MCMs and MCSMs – Microsoft employees included – have been expressing their opinions here, here, here, here, here and in numerous other places. We’ve discussed the TechNet Subscriptions on The UC Architects’ podcast.
One thing is key – this kind of behaviour absolutely destroys trust in Microsoft. After the last round of anti-trust issues, it took a long time for Microsoft to gain a position of trust along with many years of incrementally releasing better and better products. A few years ago Microsoft was just about “good enough” to let into your datacentre; now it’s beginning to lead the way, especially with Hyper-V, Exchange and Lync.
Before I get started on Microsoft’s cloud strategy, let’s take a jovial look at what (from my experience) is Google’s strategy:

• Tell the customer their internal IT sucks (tactfully), ideally without IT present so they can talk about the brilliance of being “all in” the cloud without a dose of reality getting in the way.
• Class all line of business apps as irrelevant – the sales person was probably still in nursery when they were deployed. Because those apps are old, they must be shit.
• Show a picture of something old and irrelevant – like a mill generating it’s own energy. Tell them that’s what their IT is! You, the customer, don’t run a power station, so why would you run your own IT? If you do run your own IT you are irrelevant and getting left behind.
• Make out the customer’s own IT is actually less reliable than it is. Don’t mention that recent on-premises products cost less, are easy for the right people to implement and from a user perspective are often more reliable than an overseas cloud service.
• Only provide your products in the cloud so once you’re in… you’re in.
• Don’t let anyone from the outside be a real expert on the technology. You don’t need a Google “MVP”, because 99% of Google server products can only be provided by one company.
• Once you’ve signed up a customer remember, you don’t need to give them good support. They can’t go anyway without spending money on a third party solution to get their data out.

From a Microsoft MVP point of view, Google’s strategy is brilliant. It means that although we like a lot of their products, it drives away customers in their droves. Microsoft’s traditional approach to the cloud – and partner ecosystem would be a breath of fresh air to someone who’s been though the Google machine.
Unfortunately, based on recent experiences by myself and others – the above is actually looking pretty similar to Microsoft’s new strategy. Naturally this worries me a lot.
In my eyes, Microsoft’s cloud strategy should be (and I thought was) more akin to VMware’s – where we are looking at a four pronged attack on traditional, expensive IT:

• Microsoft’s cloud – great for a LOT of stuff. Makes sense for many customers. They may take some or all of the services on offer. A bit of email? Sure! Run a few servers in Azure? No problem! Want just Lync IM/Presence? Go get it, tiger!
• Third-party cloud providers – Office 365 and Azure do not fit the needs of all customers, but many are looking to save the hassle of running commodity services. The customer might have regulations they need to abide by, need an in-country provider, need flexibility that Microsoft can’t provide, or more likely need a range of cloud services that involve a number of vendors.
• Private cloud – When internal IT departments are highly skilled (and can get help from specialists in a range of areas) private cloud can be very compelling. I’m not talking about mopping up a rack of servers and P2Ving them onto a couple of hosts – but a truly flexible internal private cloud that for some, works out cheaper than a third party provider.
• Hybrid Cloud – mixing two or more of the above – for example, buying SharePoint Online for low-risk cloud storage and collaboration via Office 365; using a third party for Exchange hosting in-country (or using Exchange Hybrid), and running Lync on-premises alongside mission critical applications on the customer’s private cloud.

The above encompasses “the cloud on your terms”, and from a customer and partner point of view means that you get the choice of how to buy it; how to implement it, and you aren’t locked into a single vendor. Yes, your email might be in Exchange – but you can take it with you to another provider, or run it on-premises if it suits you better at a later date. It also de-risks the move to Office 365 or another provider as you can get your data out quickly and easily.
By attempting to de-skill IT professionals within customers and partners by dropping TechNet Subs and top-level certifications, and apparently de-skill Microsoft itself (remember half the attendees to MCM/MCSM were MS employees!) suddenly the game gets a lot scarier.
Next, add in recent support issues. It’s no secret support for Office 365 and Azure isn’t experiencing it’s finest hour. If your case can’t be solved immediately, welcome to Google-like support or the feeling your problem has dropped down a black hole.
Finally, and as if to add insult to injury – just when Microsoft is making massive inroads with Hyper-V, System Center and Windows Server 2012 – Microsoft seem to de-emphasize it’s on premise / hoster offerings. Exchange Server 2010 was (and still is!) a roaring success with many happy customers, many of whom will (once it’s stable) gladly upgrade to Exchange 2013 and reduce costs further. Although Microsoft dropped /hosting mode from Exchange, there is still got a great offering for hosters. The same applies, if not more so, to Lync, which can only be deployed on-premise or via a hosting partner if you want to enjoy it’s full Enterprise Voice capabilities.
What Microsoft must do, if they plan on a) continuing to be relevant in the datacentre – wherever that may be and b) looking to avoid IT professionals and decision makers jumping ship and avoiding them where they can, is to reverse the unwritten policy of “get them onto our cloud then lock them in”.
To do this, I think they need to:

• Ensure certifications for MCSM/MCM still exist, even if the training is unsustainable in it’s current form.
• Restore TechNet subscriptions, or at least make available long-term trials of products you want to migrate to – and crucially migrate from.
• Focus on product quality. This benefits everyone – after all it’s the same code whether on-prem or in the cloud.
• Put the customer first – not Microsoft, not the MS cloud partner! Just because the sales rep or partner stands to make a ton of recurring revenue from an Office 365 subscription doesn’t mean it’s going to work out well for the customer.
• Finally, concentrate on what Microsoft has proved over the last ten years it’s great at – making great software. This article explains the final point better than I possibly could.

Anyway.. that’s my two cents. Let me know if you do – or don’t – agree in the comments below. We’ll be discussing the subject of MCSM certifications on this week’s The UC Architects podcast. If you want to vote for Microsoft to bring back MCSM, vote here.
Update – Microsoft have responded, and you can read the text here and MCM Devin Ganger’s take on the matter. You can also listen to the latest episode of The UC Architect’s podcast where MCMs and MCSMs express their views.

Steve Ballmer Announces Retirement

Steve Ballmer announced he is retiring in the next 12 months.

http://on.wsj.com/178A07C

Respectfully,

Cody Skidmore

Dutch Blog from 'ZoWieZo' against the decision of Microsoft Retires TechNet subscriptions:

18 jaar van mijn leven, tijd, geld en moeite gegeven aan één bedrijf, en nu laten ze mij als een  blok vallen:

MICRO$OFT RETIRES
"TECHNET SUBSCRIPTIONS"

  

     Ja zo ga ik ze noemen: M$ want dat is waar ze voor staan. 18 geleden belande ik in de IT/ICT, want direct uitzicht op een baan, in de situatie die ik toen had - had ik niet direct. Ik begon eerst voor mijzelf, 6 jaar lang in de "entertainment industrie" en de "horeca", op zich niets mis mee, maar de prijzen veranderden drastisch in 1991-1995 voor de huur van artiesten, licht, geluid, apparatuur en decor. Raakte persoonlijk failliet / zodoende in de WW en Schuld Sanering, verkocht mijn huis, en besteed de overwaarde van die verkoop in mijn nieuwe opleiding: Unix System-V, System Administrator I + II.
    Na het behalen van mijn diploma's werd al snel duidelijk dat de kleine firma's Windows For Workgroups 3.11 draaide en de grotere firma's Windows NT 3.51, Unix systemen waren er haast niet, en als ze er waren, waren ze heel moeilijk te vinden. Dus ik telde mijn sommetje op: Vraag = Aanbod, en besloot mij direct te gaan Certificeren voor het bedrijf dat het Windows product op de markt zette: Micro$oft (M$ in het kort). Ik heb mijn opleidingen zelf moeten betalen via Studie afbetaling regelingen, op zich niet verkeerd zo'n regeling - het mes snijd dan aan 2 kanten.
Eerst MCP, MCSA, daarna MCSE, en direct daarop; MCSE+I, die I staat voor Internet, en vertegenwoordigd de toenmalige Internet producten: Internet Explorer, MS Proxy Server(tegenwoordig ISA), IIS Server, en Exchange Mail Server - dit omdat ik vanuit UNIX als Internet Specialist was gecertificeerd, ik kon immers alles met HTML/Java/VB/PHP/Perl en alle gerelateerde talen en scripts.
1996 ging ik voor MCSE NT4.0, Dec-1999 voor MCSE 2000, en omstreeks 2004 MCSA 2003, nu is 2008 deze zomer juist verlopen, en ik was letterlijk bezig met alle 2008/2008-R2 certificeringen, want ik moest me eigenlijk richten op Windows 2012 Server.

      Ik heb nu 18 jaar van mijn leven besteed aan een bedrijf, waaruit nu blijkt dat ik ze gewoonweg niet vertrouwen kan. Juist Microsoft Corp.  / het bedrijf waar ik in 1999 / 2000 / 2001 voor heb gewerkt, waar voor ik letterlijk iedereen heb verteld, hoe geweldig hun Windows product wel niet is, en alle aanverwante producten zoals het beste relationele database: SQL Server, de beste Collaboration Mail Server: Exchange, en dan nog niet te spreken over hun CMS/DMS GroupWare Server over Web: SharePoint Server, of hun Admin tools, die 'niets kosten' als je een Enterprise License Agreement afsloot, en dat deden al mijn klanten, ik  verkocht het Microsoft product, en dat deed ik goed, maar ondertussen kreeg ik geen extra geld. Ik werkte gratis en voor niks, voor Microsoft Corp./BV.

     Ik certificeerde mijzelf, op kosten van mijn Eigen portemonnee! Ik kocht een TechNet Subscription Licentie Pack om zodoende te kunnen ontwikkelen, oefenen, trainen, leren, implementeren, door te doen, en te doen, en weer, en weer - Want dat kon met TechNet, geen beperkingen, gewoon gaan met die banaan.

    Ik ben één van de vele TechNet Subscribers die in Micro$oft gecertificeerd is, en in Micro$oft geloofde, ik ben 1 van de grote groep, die bestaat uit meer dan 10.000 mensen - die net zo als ik, vanaf 15 jaar TechNet Subscriptions hebben besteed, betaald en daar boven op zich hebben gecertificeerd voor alle Micro$oft producten, en daar weer boven op, geheel belangen loos en gratis, verkoop-werkzaamheden hebben verricht om Micro$oft maar groter te laten worden...  

Minimaal 10.000 Fans -
die in dienst staan van jou product -
in 1 keer in de afgrond laten vallen...

      Wat gaat er dan door die koppen van die fans - heen?
Zouden zij trouw aan Micr$oft blijven?

     Zouden zij meer geld spenderen, op het moment dat de economie slecht gaat, zouden zij langer achter een bedrijf zich verschuilen en weer hun portemonnee opentrekken om vervolgens tijd te besteden om wederom gecertificeerd te worden - voor een product van een bedrijf, die hun zo juist als een baksteen heeft laten vallen?

 

    Ik heb zo mijn twijfels, zeker als je nu ook nog eens ziet, dat de grootste Share Holders (geld investeerders, waarbij miljoenen US dollars gemoeid gaan) van Microsoft erg veel kritiek hebben van de uitrol van: Windows 8, Office 2013, Office 365, Azure Cloud oplossingen, X-Box1 Game console, en hun nieuwe hardware parade paardje, die volledig mislukt is: Windows RT met de Surface ARM Tablet.  Wat een flop was dat zeg!

     Deze grootste Share Holders balen, want de omzet ging omlaag, en vanuit de grote money-pot mest er dit jaar 900 miljoen bijgelegd worden, en wie zou die 900 miljoen betalen denk je? Precies, de waarde wordt terug verhaald op de waarde van de Shares, dus die waarde gaat opeens omlaag.

  

     De vraag is, gaat Micro$oft zijn huidige plannen doorzetten? Wat als dat gebeurd, zal +/- 65% van alle TechNet Subscribers, Microsoft op eens als een baksteen laten vallen - net zo als Micro$oft dat bij hun heeft gedaan. 

Gaat Microsoft zijn voorgangers achterna?

Novell? SCO? Corel? Solaris?

Ze zijn in ieder geval hard op weg!

 

is ondertekend,

ZoWieZo aka MPVS

Please, sign the petition:
https://www.change.org/petitions/continue-technet-or-create-an-affordable-alternative-to-msdn

We made it! More than 9,000 signatures!

We made it past 9,000 signatures today and also... uh oh. We broke Change.org

https://www.change.org/petitions/continue-technet-or-create-an-affordable-alternative-to-msdn

Rebuttal to Toddy Mladenov's article on sys-con.com

The following is a rebuttal to Toddy Mladenov's article from SYS-CON MEDIA.

Toddy Mladenov, I wanted to make a few points about your article.

Free Evalutaions

Free has a nice ring to it; however, you failed to mention the software is only free for 30 to 180 days. Labs are set up with one or more servers and layers of software. Configure everything is time-consuming. Testing is often prolonged, over lapping, and intermittent. Forcing IT professionals to tear down and completely rebuild such testing environments every 180 days add substantial, unnecessary work. Furthermore, the list of free evaluations doesn’t include any previous products such as Windows 7. For that matter, only Windows 8 Enterprise is available. This may seem like a small point except companies are slow to adopt new products. Many only recently migrated to Windows 7.

Free Evaluations: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/bb291020.aspx

Pricing

As you point out, prices continue to drop. Windows 8 is certainly more affordable than Windows 7. This probably has more to do with luring reluctant customers to Windows 8. If Windows 8 was wildly popular, I doubt it would have the same price.

MSDN

Yes, TechNet subscribers can switch to MSDN. However, your statement that MSDN costs a few hundred dollars more annually is patently false. The subscription you referred to for $349 is TechNet Pro. The closest MSDN match is “Visual Studio Premium with MSDN” for $6,119. A $5,770 difference is hardly a few hundred dollars more a year. The subscription contains expensive developer tools IT professionals don’t need. I doubt they will ever claim to be developers either.

TechNet: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/hh442910.aspx

MSDN: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/buy.aspx

Installations And Azure

Yes, cloud services are convenient. Remember, this is about testing. Suggesting that evaluating software for a single day is sufficient draws a stark contrast between your opinion and reality.

Additionally, saying Azure costs a few bucks is disputable. The services required to perform lab testing in the cloud is certainly more than a few bucks a day. It is difficult to know how much because the fee schedule for Azure is so complex, we cannot adequately project cost.

The Problem with IT Pros

You suggested the real problem was IT pros themselves. If our roles were reversed, you would find this offensive. The world is changing as it always will, but predicting the future of IT is a fool’s errand. For proof look no further Microsoft’s projections for Window 8 and Windows Surface. Juxtapose them with Microsoft’s recent $900 million write down and its $34 billion stock sell-off (the largest in 13 years).

You allude to Microsoft knowing what’s best for us. Under the circumstances, Microsoft is hardly in a position to give us advice. From our perspective, switching to Azure is better for Microsoft not necessarily us. I’d like to remind you, companies and their IT staffs are Microsoft’s customers. You seem to have inverted the relationship. IT professionals focus on non-cloud solutions because their customers demand it. The facts don’t support your assertion that the traditional role of IT is near its end.

The public should read up on this subject and draw its own conclusions. Read comments left by nearly 9,000 IT professionals on the petition and elsewhere on the Internet. The following links will help.

Internet Discussions: http://bit.ly/15lmkGx

Petition Comments: http://chn.ge/16uLiRA

Our Blog: http://SaveTechNet.com

Respectfully,

Cody Skidmore

As LinkedIn is becoming a very huge and good reliable business source to get in contact with others and equals, some of us decided to build some groups and pages at LinkedIn, starting with the Australian/New Zealand region, while these countries does not have its holydays now.

Here is Michael Siddall's group: SafeTechNet.
Read what he doing, this guy is very interesting...

Apparently Microsoft Had Enough Over In The TechNet Forum

Today, moderators on the TechNet Website Feedback locked a user intitiated thread where TechNet fans were asking for answers about the closing of TechNet. It looks like that channel of communication is closing!

Respectfully,

Cody Skidmore

Article in the Puget Sound Business Journal

Emily Parkhurst of Puget Sound Business Journal in Seattle Washington published an article about our plight to keep TechNet open. We should see more coverage in the coming weeks.

Respectfully,

Cody Skidmore

InformationWeek Article

Kevin Casey of InformationWeek published an article about our effort to keep TechNet open. We're asking Microsoft to help us find a compromise that addresses its objectives without denying us viable access to software.

Respectfully,

Cody Skidmore

In July 2000 Steve Balmer declared War with their System revival enemy Linux - In July 2013 he did it again, declaring War - with his largest Enterprise Fan Group: Microsoft TechNet Subscribers.
Lesson of live:
Never be angry with the group that really likes you and made you, for what you are today!

Just a reminder: The Ones that Make You, Can also Brake You!

Someone else wrote:
_____________________________________________________________
jeffz    on Jul 2, 2013:
http://winsupersite.com/windows/microsoft-kills-technet-subscriptions
_____________________________________________________________

Like you I recently renewed and the announcement this week was a big disappointment. I've been a TechNet subscriber for years - remember when they used to ship boxes of CDs ?
TechNet was always a great way for the individual IT Pro to keep current on MS technologies, build labs, etc.
Sure cloud based or time-slotted "trials" will fill some of the void - but when I compare to the various Linux flavors and Apache Projects I run - all of which were free - I was already willing to pay MS to that ability to download and install their products...
But without an inexpensive longer term model - my work in the space will end with 8.1/2012 R2.
I guess this is the new world of the device and services company...
Sad...

_____________________________________________________________
And I do agree...

Here are some others URL's concerning TechNet Retirement: 
Like to read?
Here is what others Blogged as well:
_________________________________________________
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/17dce8ef-a813-4abd-943b-481640e1973c/microsoft-reconsider-technet-retirement

http://www.trainsignal.com/blog/save-technet

http://www.trainsignal.com/blog/technet-subscriptions-ending

http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsoft-kill-technet-subscriptions-next-year

http://techreport.com/news/25032/technet-down-microsoft-shuttering-subscriptions-program

http://venturebeat.com/2013/07/01/microsoft-technet-shut-down/

http://www.neowin.net/news/petition-wants-microsoft-to-continue-technet

http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/TechEdNA/Any-chance-of-a-complimentary-TechNet-subscription-like-last-year

http://www.toadworld.com/platforms/sql-server/b/weblog/archive/2013/07/09/farewell-to-technet-again.aspx

http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Retires+TechNet+Paid+Subscriptions+for+IT+Deployers/article31875.htm

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/34863-Microsoft-TechNet-MSDN-keys-will-expire-at-end-of-subscription-period

http://www.zdnet.com/to-fight-piracy-microsoft-tightens-msdn-and-technet-terms-again-7000000131/

http://www.zdnet.com/enterprise-fanboys-push-back-on-technet-subscription-shutdown-7000018319/

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=2255209

http://ebraiter.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/microsoft-to-begin-to-kill-off-technet-plus-subscriptions-in-august/

http://www.guru3d.com/news_story/microsoft_to_end_technet_next_month.html

http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/354847-technet-subscriptions-being-cancelled-and-no-longer-offered-ms-are-you-nuts

http://www.aidanfinn.com/?p=15171

http://winsupersite.com/windows/microsoft-kills-technet-subscriptions

http://tfl09.blogspot.com/2013/07/microsoft-planning-to-end-technet.html

http://exchangeserverpro.com/microsoft-cancels-technet-subscription/

http://windowsitpro.com/windows/can-it-community-save-technet

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2280804/microsoft-insists-it-is-listening-to-technet-fury

http://4sysops.com/archives/technet-subscription-end-did-you-sign-the-petition

http://4sysops.com/archives/technet-petition-counterpoint/


So, I'm not the only one who is worried.... ;-)

Regards & Respect,
M:P

Maybe we can try to reach the Microsoft TechNet Evangelists ?

IT Pro Evangelist(s) for selected area:
http://www.technetevents.com/Presenters.aspx

And convince the our story about how a company can go down the drain, if this company drops contact and control over their biggest Fan-Group; so called TechNet?

http://www.technetevents.com/Presenters.aspx
Lets try and see - I mean, what do you have to lose?
Support your future, and claim you right.
Don't stand there, do something!


Thank you for reading my thoughts,

Regards & Respect,
M:P

What about early prolongation of TechNet Subscription, as Microsoft offered this recently?

An Email came from a TechNet Subscriber, and wanted my point of view:

What about early prolongation of TechNet Subscription, as Microsoft offered this recently?

My current subscription ends in March 2014, till the end on the August 2013 I can buy 1-year subscription and prolong it to March 2015. Then, termination of paid services in September 2014 by Microsoft will be a case for legal actions, won't be?

My answer:

At least, I won't start such thing as prolong my Subscription - while  I had a phone talk (very recently) to a Microsoft lawyer / hired Advocacy Office from the Netherlands, he explained that after end of September 2013, you will only have access to TechNet, you will not receive any NEW downloads and NEW Product ID-Keys - you only have access to the current published which you already had from day one.

With other words, the amount of money that you pay for a full TechNet Subscription, will be the same, but the value of the content of that same TechNet Subscription - will not be having the full value as you are used to have TechNet as before.

For instance: with TechNet Subscription, you got an extra 1 Support Call, that will not be available after the end of September 2013. So at the end of September, you will end up with;
 - Just Access to the downloads,
 - and download them with the Akamai Download Manager ,
 - Read your existing Product ID-Keys,
 - Request your new Product ID-Keys of existing downloads,
 - and everything what TechNet has to offer for free, like the Newsgroups, Blogs, Support pages, and Evaluation versions of all existing software that is as published nowadays.

What Microsoft is trying to reach, is that access to all legacy software is discontinued after 1 year from now. Microsoft want to force companies to use their Azure Cloud Services.

Microsoft costs to let the legacy systems keep supporting are running to high, they just can't afford the continuing of Windows XP after April 2014 anymore.

With other words:  I believe that Microsoft is "into deep shit, up till their throats".

This is just a part of a survival plan...

 So regarding your statement, do not expect to much of a prolonging or renewal of TechNet Subscription after September 2013:

- Software Activation can't be done after September 2014 anymore -

Me for instance, I've got a 3 year subscription, I can't prolong my current subscription, cause if have a 3 year subs. already, But I have to pay, next year at my renewal date, a full TechNet fee, to just get access to my downloads and product keys.

In my honest opinion, that is not the same..., as I used to have.

Till so far, thank you for reading my thoughts
respect and regards,
M:P

Puget Sound Business Journal is having a Interview with: M.P. van Sijll, the answers...

Hi there Emily,

thank you so much for having the time to questioning me at the first place,
I hope this will help us all for the future.


This is my answer:

I'm Mark Peter van Sijll from the Netherlands, born and raised and now working for more then 17 years in the IT business. I started in the IT as a UNIX System Administrator, but soon it was clear to me that about in the year of 1995 Microsoft Corp. was going to grow tremendously to be one of the greats of earth. So I had to be there with them.

Over the years, I have several dozen companies, large and small, regional, national, and even international, and I all helped them with their IT problems. I could because I was certified Microsoft for their products. I did installations, migrations, movements and left large decentralized systems merge into central systems. I even worked at Microsoft BV in the Netherlands myself, helped the first upgrade of the Windows NT4 Domain, to the Windows 2000 Active Directory - the very first LDAP directory of the Microsoft Windows NT operating system.

Over the years I searched for tools and a ways to help me in these migrations, installations and movements of small and large IT systems.That search was not difficult;
Microsoft had the answer! So called 'TechNet Subscriptions'!

TechNet Subscriptions has helped me tremendously. Crazier still, I can't even accomplish my work without it. TechNet for IT professionals = New and Legacy Knowledge, New and Legacy Technology, so for the IT business that means the power to survive, to always have work, cause you are the Senior, you are the experienced guy they so badly need. Microsoft has asked us over the years, and slightly forced us to get Certified in their products. That most of us have already done for multiple times, because we believed in this company, we believed in these products. We treat them - if they are our own.
To be honest to you: I personally think that all TechNet subscribers are Microsoft best Sales Force Team that "Do the Talks and the Walks" - all the way! We do sell!
I already have more then a decade multiple TechNet Subscriptions, even more because I enjoyed also Action Pack, which comes with a TechNet Subscription Professional+DVD Media. For me TechNet has become an addiction, I can't work without it.

You told/asked me that; Microsoft has said the main reason for shutting down TechNet is piracy.
That is a very strange thing to say, because Microsoft published the opposite...?!
Where did you get this source? It is wrong...

Even in the contrary, Microsoft said on their website and E-mail to me, that it had nothing to do with Piracy in any way, and I am the only TechNet subscriber that does believe them in this matter.
While I know what is going on...,
this whole TechNet Retirement is about MONEY!
About Sales Numbers, its about selling their newest / latest products for new fresh cash. Microsoft wants to get rid of their Legacy Systems:
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and even Windows Seven.
Same as with SQL Server, Exchange Server, all Server product, same as with the Applications: Office 2003, is still widely used in the whole world. Microsoft wants to abandon their own products.
Not that they hate them? No, they just does not bring new cash.
Old Legacy software only brings unpaid support work, because they promised the world to do so for them within their own Warranty. And now their own Warranty is killing their sales numbers. 
Why you would say? / That's so simple: The Cloud!
Microsoft wants you, to own you and your data. To make you more dependent from their Azure Cloud system. / And this all, while not everybody, not every company wants to be in that Cloud!
Better yet: There existing huge business groups, that simply does not trust Microsoft, or any other company - to hold their sensitive and sometimes personal / financial data, even not in any bodies Cloud, not even in that from; Amazon, Google or even not Apple's Cloud systems. No way!

You asked me what will happen with my relationship with Microsoft, if they Retire the TechNet Subscription: That is a longer question with a short answer:
It will - eventually - stop being active.

Will I look for other manufactures, to continue my job?
Yes and no - that depends on what the IT business is doing to respond to this group, it depends on how things will work out for us, is a way to our own benefit, so we can make a living from it.
If Microsoft is not the answer, maybe Red hat Linux, SuSE Linux, Apple Macintosh will be?
Who's is there to say? I can't look into the future.... sadly enough.

When your subscription ends, what will you do?
I won't sit still, and just wait, so I will starve to death - that's for sure!

Have you considered using other software in the future?
Yes, like I said before in the previous questions: Red hat Linux, SuSE Linux, Apple Macintosh.

What¹s at risk for Microsoft in alienating this TechNet group?
Eventually, they will break and be tear down,
Like Novell did,
like Solaris did,
like SCO did,
and so on...
Like Microsoft will happen to do too.

"It's just business - it's nothing personal."

In the Netherlands we have a saying:
"a cat in distress, makes strange jumps", which means
in the English language: "Hard times call for harsh measures."

Microsoft is that Cat,
 but so are we...

So lets jump!

Fight, and if we loose, pick it up, and walk to the horizon, because there will always be one who's the best. And if Microsoft doesn't want to be the winner / champion, someone else will take its place.

B.t.w:
I really need to get certified on that Black Hat system...,
let's pick up some old books from 1995 about System-V, Bsd...
how bad can my rusty knowledge be? ;-)
_________________________________________________

 Met vriendelijke groet,
 With best regards,

 Mark Peter van Sijll, aka M:P
 Almere,  The Netherlands.

 E-Mail:     M.vSijll@net.??
 Mail Alias: MvSijll@inter.???
 Google:     MvSijll@Gail.???
 Skype:      MvSijll
 LinkedIn NL-Profiel: http://nl.linkedin.com/in/sijll
 LinkedIn EN-Profile: http://linkedin.com/in/sijll/en

 Microsoft Certified Professional,
 Microsoft Certified System Engineer,
 Microsoft Certified System Administrator,
 Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist,
 UNIX System-V Certified Administrator I+II,
 FortiNet Certified Network/System Professional.
 Certified Internet Specialist,

Puget Sound Business Journal is having a Interview with: M.P. van Sijll, the questions...

Hi Mark,

Yes, the 10 hour time difference does present a bit of a challenge ;-).

How about I just send some questions via email and you can answer them when you get a chance?
If that works, here's a few questions and we'll go from there:

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself ­ where you work and live, and what exactly you do there?
How long have you had a TechNet subscription and what have you used it for traditionally?
Microsoft has said the main reason for shutting down TechNet is piracy.
What do you think of that argument?
What impact do you think this will have on the relationship between IT professionals and Microsoft?
What¹s at risk for MSFT in alienating this group?
When your subscription ends, what will you do?
Have you considered using other software in the future?
Thanks so much for your time and thoughts. I really appreciate it.

Emily Parkhurst,

Technology Reporter
Puget Sound Business Journal
TechFlash.com
www.bizjournals.com/seattle
206-876-????
e.parkhurst@bizjournals.----
Twitter: @emilyparkhurst

Over 8,000 signatures!

Congratulations everyone! On July 31st we reached 8,000 signatures on the petition and kept going. Thanks for your hard work. We are well on our way to 10,000 and beyond. Please join us and make it happen!

Respectfully,

Cody Skidmore

Salvem o TechNet Subscription

Em 1º de julho de 2013, a Microsoft anunciou que descontinuará o programa de assinaturas do TechNet Subscription.

Esta é uma campanha para pedir respeitosamente que a Microsoft reconsidere essa decisão ou para nos fornecer um programa alternativo para atender às necessidades dos profissionais de TI no mundo inteiro.

Article Title: Nós não desistiremos por nada!

Em 1º de Agosto completaremos quatro semanas de quando nossa campanha começou. Desde 1º de julho, mais de 7.500 pessoas de 92 países se juntaram a nós. Não tenho dúvidas de que chegaremos a 10.000 nas próximas semanas, à medida em que vai se aproximando a data em que a Microsoft começará a remover os assinantes do TechNet. Há quatro questões que devemos abordar:

Uma é as ofertas livres da Microsoft como um substituto para o TechNet. Sendo sincero, como muitos de vocês, eu já utilizei o centro de avaliação gratuita da Microsoft. O centro de avaliações gratuitas da Microsoft não têm qualquer correlação com o TechNet. A lista de avaliações não inclui quaisquer produtos legados que sempre foi presente no TechNet. No centro de avaliações da Microsoft, somente o Windows 8 Enterprise está disponível. Isto pode sugerir que, no futuro, o Office Professional 2013 seja substituído pelo Office 365.

Este é um indício de que a Microsoft parece estar destinada a remover os treinamentos de todos os profissionais de TI dos seus produtos legados e convencê-los de utilizar as versões que a Microsoft pretende. O período de avaliação de 30 a 180 dias ainda é insuficiente, pois os testes são freqüentemente prolongados, reconfigurados e intermitentes. O que eu vi não altera a minha opinião. Estas avaliações não serão suficientes como um substituto para TechNet.

Outro problema é o custo do TechNet se comparado ao MSDN. Existe uma grande diferença comparando as versões de assinaturas. Se baseando no TechNet Pro, a diferença é de U$ 350. Além disso, a variedade de produtos disponíveis através da TechNet Pro é amplo e inclui a maioria dos softwares legados. Já o MSDN Subscription só é comparável ao Technet na versão Visual Studio Premium with MSDN, a um custo de U$ 6,120 , que é completamente inviável para a maioria de nós.

A pirataria utilizando como fonte as licenças do Technet é um possível motivo para o fechamento do programa. No entanto, a pirataria de software não é exclusivo para TechNet. A Microsoft combate, com sucesso, a pirataria para os seus produtos comerciais, por isso tem meios para enfrentar a pirataria sem precisar fechar o TechNet. Muitas idéias para o combate à pirataria foram oferecidas por pessoas em nossa comunidade. A Microsoft tem muitas opções para essa questão.

Outra questão é a manipulação do anúncio feito pela Microsoft. O Microsoft TechNet foi abruptamente encerrado em01 de julho chocando até as pessoas que conduzem seus serviços corporativos (um dos únicos pontos positivos em seu relatório financeiro). A Microsoft não teria uma explicação aceitável de sua decisão. Eles sabiam que todos iriam reagir negativamente. A Microsoft queria evitar ficar cara a cara com milhares de furiosos profissionais de TI e, por isso, esperou até depois de sua conferência no TechEd para fazer o anúncio.
As razões da Microsoft para fechar o TechNet são amplamente vistas como razões fracas. Por isso, nós enviamos vários e-mails à Microsoft pedindo uma melhor explicação. A Microsoft respondeu com mensagens padrões, sem nenhum contexto ou explicação lógica. Os e-mails respondidos pela Microsoft são quase idênticos, independentemente das pessoas que enviaram e dos países de origem.

Uma versão:

"Obrigado por entrar em contato com a Microsoft. Sua questão sobre o encerramento do Technet foi escalada para mim pelo Customer and Field Advocacy Team, por <...>.

Nós ouvimos as suas preocupações e frustrações. Em última análise, decidimos retirar as assinaturas do TechNet, porque estamos vendo um aumento na adoção de nossas experiências nas avaliações gratuitas como o Centro de Avaliação TechNet, que cresceu 100% só no ano passado e recebeu um bom feedback da nossa base de usuários.

Em uma pesquisa de 2013, mais de 90% dos nossos clientes foram capazes de completar suas avaliações de servidores através do Centro de Avaliação no prazo de 180 dias.

Nossas equipes estão ativamente ouvindo os nossos assinantes e vai usar o feedback dos clientes à medida que continuamos a investir em recursos livres para profissionais de TI.

Por favor, nos informe se você gostaria de compartilhar comentários adicionais ".

Outra versão:

 

"Obrigado por enviar seus comentários sobre o TechNet.

Como as tendências e a dinâmica dos negócios de TI têm evoluído, a Microsoft decidiu apoiar as ofertas para profissionais de TI que estão à procura de aprender, avaliar e implantar tecnologias e serviços da Microsoft. Nos últimos anos, temos visto uma mudança de uso das experiências de avaliação pagas para recursos que são livres de qualquer pagamento (grátis). Como resultado, a Microsoft decidiu remover o serviço do TechNet Subscription e irá descontinuar as vendas em 31 de agosto de 2013.

A Microsoft vai se concentrar no crescimento e na melhora de nossas ofertas voluntárias e grátis para os profissionais de TI, incluindo recursos de avaliação através do Centro de Avaliações do TechNet, a aprendizagem avançada pelo Virtual Academy da Microsoft ou pelo apoio técnico através dos Fóruns do Technet.

Estamos empenhados em ajudar os clientes nesta fase de transição e continuaremos focando em fornecer aos profissionais de TI, com acesso gratuito, a um amplo conjunto de serviços do TechNet. Por favor, visite http://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions/ para mais informações.

Seu feedback é importante e agradecemos por você gastar o seu tempo para entrar em contato conosco. "

Se a Microsoft tivesse algum argumento válido, eles fariam o pronunciamento em frente ao público e esse assunto estaria encerrado. É evidente que isso não ocorreu e põe em questão o real motivo da Microsoft para fechar TechNet.

Algumas pessoas da comunidade do TechNet sentem que o encerramento do TechNet é uma estratégia da Microsoft para fazer com que os Profissionais de TI passem a utilizar os serviços na nuvem da Microsoft, como o Azure Services. Se isso for verdade, a Microsoft tem uma péssima estratégia. As empresas e agências governamentais, em sua maioria, não irão se mover para o Azure por razões fiduciárias. Uma verificação rápida da adoção do Azure já demonstra isso. Com poucas exceções, as empresas utilizam o Azure principalmente para hospedagem de sites, jogos, ou de marketing. Este não é o núcleo corporativo que a Microsoft quer.

http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/overview/case-studies/

Reconhecemos que a segurança na nuvem não é melhor ou pior do que o seu sistema hospedado localmente. A Microsoft afirma que suas preocupações de segurança são superestimadas, mas cada entidade é responsável ​​por proteger os seus dados e aplicativos. Eles não podem simplesmente se tornar responsáveis por isso.

Além disso, as despesas com os serviços do Azure parecem muito maior do que os custos de hospedagem de aplicativos e dados localmente. Os dados apresentadores em conferências de tecnologia da Microsoft são criados para iludir as pessoas em favor da utilização do Azure. Você pode encontrar esses comentários em vídeos na internet. Além disso, a Microsoft criou uma tabela de preços para o Azure que é tão complexa que não pode projetar adequadamente o custo para os clientes. Os grandes clientes realmente não estão migrando para o Azure.

A Microsoft quer nos fazer desistir e nos desmoralizar. Eles acreditam que vão manter o fechamento do TechNet. Alguns dizem que estamos remando contra a maré e não conseguiremos mudar essa decisão da Microsoft. A questão é, como é que vamos responder?

Permitiremos ser deixados de lado depois de dedicar a maior parte de nossas carreiras para uma empresa que nos rejeita? Não traímos nossas próprias convicções e as convicções da comunidade que em breve chegará a 10.000 assinaturas, porque estamos diante de uma corporação que esta nos forçando a seguir sua vontade?

"Nós não desistiremos por nada!"

Derrotar Microsoft está dentro de nossas capacidades, mas requer muita paciência. Devemos ser corajosos e absolutamente determinados. Agora nosso movimento entra em uma nova fase. Devemos fazer a Microsoft nos ouvir e a Microsoft nao poderá perder seus clientes e profissionais. Esse é um custo que a Microsoft não pode mensurar. Vamos atingir esse objetivo através de um conjunto de ações.

Primeiro vamos estabelecer uma comunicação confiável em toda a comunidade, isso é urgente. O site Change.org permitiu nos reunir e tornarmos um movimento, mas à medida que continuamos a crescer precisamos de mais do que simples mensagens unidirecionais. O Change.org também tem problemas para entregar e-mails para grupos grandes. Recentemente, o site levou dois dias para que a maioria de vocês para recebessem os e-mails.

Precisamos de uma lista de distribuição de e-mails. Analisamos o Google Groups, phpBB e outras ferramentas, mas não encontramos uma solução. Precisamos ter certeza absoluta que a solução é eficaz antes de pedir a todos para registar o seu endereço de e-mail na ferramenta. Nós só temos uma chance. Se você tiver uma idéia para resolver este problema, por favor nos envie um e-mail para savetechnet@gmail.com.

Nós criamos os seguintes recursos da comunidade para nos ajudar.

• Uma nova conta no Twitter: @ SaveTechNet• Uma página de Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaveTechnet• Um blog: http://SaveTechNet.com

Vamos configurar os endereços de e-mail da campanha em breve. Nesse meio tempo, use savetechnet@gmail.com.

Estamos pedindo voluntários para assumir o controle desses recursos. Precisamos de pessoas para gerenciá-los, bem como ajudar a torná-los apresentáveis, pois essas ferramentas são nossas mensagens ao público e a Microsoft. A nossa mensagem se espalhou para 92 países, deste modo a linguagem deve ser considerada. Se você puder ajudar com a tradução, precisamos muito de sua ajuda. Sua assistência em todos os níveis é fundamental para nos manter crescendo. Por favor, faça o que puder.

Em seguida, precisamos nos alinhar com outros grupos da Microsoft. Um desses grupos podem ser investidores da Microsoft. Depois de perder 900 milhões de dólares em investimentos para tablets e em 19 de julho mais 34 milhões de dólares foram perdidos, os investidores estão incomodados. Eles sentem que a alta cúpula da Microsoft não fez nada para resolver os seus problemas, além disso, vários erros da Microsoft indicam que uma mudança de gestão é exrtemamente necessária.

Como mencionado, um dos pontos brilhantes no relatório financeiro da Microsoft era de lucros de serviços empresariais. Os investidores podem encontrar a notícia de que a Microsoft deixou os profissionais de TI (Quem conduz os lucros do setor) muito irritados com os serviços prestados pela companhia. Para alcançar os investidores, devemos penetrar nossa mensagem para o mercado financeiro. Precisamos entrar em contato com jornalistas voltados para estas áreas e dizer-lhes a nossa história. Estou fazendo contato com eles nos Estados Unidos. Eu posso fornecer uma carta para o uso em outros países, mas ela precisa de tradução. Entre em contato conosco se você pode traduzí-lo em seu idioma e ajudar a publicá-la.

Finalmente, eu, pessoalmente, quero expressar o quão feliz é encontrar todos vocês. Eu leio seus comentários diariamente e me esforço muito para responder pessoalmente aos e-mails de todos. Quando a petição começou, eu nunca imaginei em tornar-me conhecido com tantas pessoas incríveis. Muitos de nós não falam a mesma língua e mesmo assim encontramos formar de nos comunicarmos. Estou profundamente honrado por fazer parte de uma comunidade que se estende em torno do nosso planeta e nunca vou conseguir retribuir a gentileza que vocês mostraram.

Respeitosamente

We Hebben Ons Niet Voor Niets Uitgesloofd!

Op 1 augustus zetten we de mijlpaal neer dat de vierde week de verjaardag in ging toen onze campagne begon. Sinds 1 juli, sloten meer dan 7.500 mensen uit 92 landen zich bij ons aan. Ik twijfel geen moment dat we de grens van zullen 10.000 bereiken in de komende weken, zo als we de datum zullen bereiken dat Microsoft begint te snijden in het abonnee bestand van TechNet. Er zijn vier punten waar we aan moeten denken.

Één is: Microsofts gratis aanbod als een onderdeel voor TechNet. In alle eerlijkheid, heb ik - net als velen van jullie - Microsofts gratis evaluatie center geprobeerd. De basis van het gratis aanbod van Microsoft heeft totaal geen correlatie met TechNet hier in. De lijst bevat geen oudere-producten in welke hoedanigheid ook. Wat dat betreft, alleen Windows 8 Enterprise is beschikbaar. Dit kan wijzen op producten zoals Office Pro 2013 gaan afhaken in het voordeel van Office 365 voor in de toekomst.
De 30 tot 180 dagen evaluatie perioden is nog steeds ontoereikend omdat het testen vaak te langdurig is, en overlapt niet, en is intermitterend. Wat ik heb gezien wijzigt niet mijn mening. Deze evaluaties zullen niet volstaan ??als een volwaardige vervanging van TechNet.

Een ander probleem is wat men betaald voor TechNet en wat voor MSDN. Cijfers variëren op basis van abonnement versies. De cijfers die ik gebruik zijn gebaseerd op TechNet Pro die kost € 373,65 Euro. Het aanbod van producten die beschikbaar zijn via TechNet Pro is nogal breed en omvat de meeste 'oudere versies' software. Het enige vergelijkbare MSDN-abonnement is Visual Studio Premium van MSDN tegen een prijs van € 6.551,00 Euro, die onbetaalbaar is voor de meesten onder ons.

Fraude en Vervalsing (piraterij) van TechNet-licenties is een mogelijke reden voor het sluiten van TechNet. Maar piraterij software is niet exclusief voor TechNet. Microsoft heeft met succes piraterij bestrijdt van zijn commerciële producten, dus dat hoeft geen reden te zijn voor het sluiten van TechNet. Veel ideeën voor de bestrijding van piraterij werden aangeboden door aanwezigen binnen onze gemeenschap. Microsoft heeft hier vele mogelijkheden.

Nog een ander probleem is Microsofts manier van de aankondiging. Microsoft heeft TechNet op 1 juli abrupt gesloten, vreemd genoeg met de zeer individuele drijvende winst voor zijn diensten van grote bedrijven (een van de weinige lichtpuntjes van Microsofts financiële verslag).
Microsoft wilde voorkomen oog in oog te staan met duizenden woedende IT-Professionals, dus daarom heeft men gewacht tot na de TechEd conferentie in juni om de aankondiging van sluiten van TechNet te maken.

Microsofts redenen voor het sluiten van TechNet worden alom gezien als zwak. Zodat de gemeenschap Microsoft heeft gemaild met vragen om een ??betere uitleg. Microsoft antwoordde met standaard berichten, maar bood geen context. De e-mails verstuurd naar abonnees in de meeste landen zijn bijna identiek.

Één van de versies:
"Bedankt voor uw contact met Microsoft. Uw probleem met betrekking tot Technet Sluiting is geëscaleerd bij mij aan de 'Customer and Field Advocacy Team', door <...>.

We zijn op de hoogte van uw bezorgdheid en frustraties. Uiteindelijk hebben we besloten om het TechNet-abonnementen te laten sluiten omdat we een verhoogde toename zien van onze gratis evaluatie versies zoals het TechNet Evaluation Center, dat is gegroeid naar 100% in het afgelopen jaar alleen al en kreeg goede terugkoppeling van onze gebruikers.
In een enquête van 2013, meer dan 90% van onze klanten waren in staat om hun "Server Evaluaties" te voltooien door het Evaluation Center binnen de geboden 180 dagen.

Onze teams luisteren actief naar de inbreng van onze abonnees en zal klanten terugkoppeling  gebruiken wanneer we blijven investeren in de gratis middelen voor IT-professionals.
Gelieve dit door te sturen als je deze extra terugkoppeling wilt delen."

Een andere versie:
"Bedankt voor het verzenden van uw terugkoppeling over TechNet.

Als IT trends en zakelijke dynamiek hebben ontwikkeld, zo heeft Microsofts set van aanbod voor IT-professionals die op zoek zijn om te leren, te evalueren en implementeren van Microsoft-technologieën en diensten. In de afgelopen jaren hebben we een verschuiving van gebruik van betaald naar gratis evaluaties ervaringen en middelen waargenomen. Als gevolg hiervan, heeft Microsoft besloten om de TechNet-abonnementen dienst te sluiten en zal de verkoop te staken na 31 augustus 2013.

Microsoft zal zich richten op de groei en het verbeteren van onze gratis
aanbod voor IT-professionals, waaronder evaluatie middelen via de TechNet
Evaluation Center, deskundigen leren via de Microsoft Virtual Academy, en
verkrijgen gemeenschap-gemodereerde technische ondersteuning via de
TechNet Forums.

We zijn toegewijd aan het helpen van klanten via deze overgangsfase en
gericht op het leveren van IT-professionals met gratis toegang tot een
brede set van TechNet middelen die zal gaan blijven. Kunt u terecht op
http://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions/ voor meer informatie.

Uw terugkoppeling is belangrijk en we waarderen het dat U de tijd neemt om
met on contact op te nemen."

Als Microsoft informatie had om hun nieuws goed en grondig te
beargumenteren, dan zou het dat gedaan hebben en haar informatie in volle
glorie naar het publiek te hebben getoond en maakte daarbij de het
beëindigen gegrond. Duidelijk is dat dit niet heeft plaatsgevonden,
waardoor het twijfelachtig wordt wat Microsofts motief is voor het sluiten
van TechNet.

Microsoft wilt en dwingt op: Microsoft is van mening dat we ons zullen
neerleggen bij een ??onvermijdelijke sluiting van TechNet en buigen naar
haar wil. Sommigen zeggen dat we te veel te afwachtende houding aannemen
en wij kunnen niet op tegen de overheersen Microsoft. De vraag is; hoe
gaan we hierop reageren?

Wordt ons moraal ontnomen? Zijn we zo makkelijk 'weg te werpen' nadat de
meesten van ans hun gehele cariëre hebben afhankelijk gemaakt van het
grote machtige bedrijf Microsoft, en kunnen ze onss zo maar ontslaan?
Hebben we onszelf van onze eigen overtuiging veraden van een groep die
makelijk de 10.000 gaat overtreffen.
Omdat we geconfronteerd worden met een bedrijf die 'één-richting' denkt om
ook maar zonder enige scrupules ons dwingt ons in zijn eigen agenda te
zetten.

Het verslaan van Microsoft ligt binnen onze mogelijkheden, maar vergt veel
geduld. We moeten moed verzamelen en absoluut vastbesloten zijn als onze
beweging een nieuwe fase ingaat.
We moeten heel precies zijn en een zo'n hoge prijs op Microsoft inzetten
op slechte pers en boze klanten dat afsluiting van TechNet wordt een blok
aan het been dat het zich niet kan veroorloven.
We moeten dit doel bereiken door middel van een scala aan acties.

Ten Eerste een goede opzet van stabiele betrouwbare communicatie over de
gehele gemeenschap is noodzaak. Door middel van Change.org konden we
samenkomen en uitgegroeien tot een beweging, maar als we blijven groeien
hebben we meer nodig dan te kunnen 'uit zenden', één-richting-berichten
service.
Change.org heeft moeite met het leveren van e-mails naar grotere groepen.
Onlangs duurde het twee dagen voor de meesten van u e-mails ontvingen.

We hebben een e-mail distributielijst nodig voor een minimum van 10.000
addressen. We keken naar Google Groups, phpBB, en andere instrumenten,
maar we zijn niet met een oplossing gekomen.

We moeten er helemaal zeker an zijn dat de oplossing effectief is voordat
we een ??ieder om zijn of haar e-mailadres te registreren. We krijgen maar
één kans. Als je een idee hebt voor het grondig oplossen van dit probleem,
dan kunt u e-mailen naar: savetechnet@gmail.com.

We hebben de volgende bronnen, voor deze gemeenschap (online groep) om ons zelf te helpen:
• Een nieuwe Twitter-account: @SaveTechNet
• Een Facebook-pagina: https://www.facebook.com/SaveTechnet
• Een blog: http://SaveTechNet.com

We zullen binnenkort onze campagne emailadressen opstellen,
gebruik in de tussentijd: savetechnet@gmail.com.

We vragen om vrijwilligers om de controle over bovenstaande middelen te
administreren. We hebben individuen nodig om die bovenstaande middelen te
beheren en te helpen ze toonbaar te maken voor het  leveren van onze
boodschap aan het publiek en aan Microsoft. Onze boodschap te helpen te
verspreiden naar 92 landen, zodat de taal moet worden beschouwd. Als u
kunt helpen met vertalen, wij enorm uw hulp nodig. Uw hulp op alle niveaus
is essentieel om ons groeiende te houden. Doe wat je kunt.

Vervolgens moeten we onszelf gaan af zien te stemmen met andere groepen
die op dit moment ook boos op Microsoft. Een dergelijke groep zou kunnen
zijn: Microsoft investeerders.
Na een 900 miljoen USDollar te hebben afgeschreven voor Surface Tabletten
en 19 juli van 34 miljard USDollar van diverse uitverkoen, zijn
investeerders zeer geïrriteerd. Ze vinden dat Microsofts reorganisatie
niets heeft gedaan om zijn problemen aan te pakken, en er zijn meerdere
blunders van Microsoft's die moeten leiden tot een verandering in het
management.

Zoals gezegd, een van de lichtpuntjes op financieel verslag van Microsoft,
was de winst uit ondernemende diensten. Beleggers kunnen het nieuws dat
Microsoft, vreemd genoeg het erg gedreven individenten winsten voor die
diensten ergerlijk vinden. Om hen te bereiken moeten we zowel de zakelijke
en financiële nieuws versnelt in de markt brengen. We moeten contact
hebben met journalisten die gericht zijn op deze gebieden en ons verhaal
vertellen.

Ik op dit moment contact met die Journalisten in de Verenigde Staten. Ik
kan u voorzien van een brief voor gebruik in andere landen, maar het moet
vertaald worden.
Neem dan contact met ons op als je het kunt vertalen in uw taal waarin u
het meest spreekt en help ons dit te publiceren.

Tot slot, wil ik persoonlijk wil uitdrukken hoe ongelooflijk fijn het is
om jullie allemaal te ontmoeten. Ik lees jullie reacties per dag en
probeer heel hard om een ieder persoonlijk te beantwoorden op jullie
e-mails. Toen de petitie begon, heb ik nooit in mijn stoutste droom
gedacht dat ik kennismaking zou hebben gekregen met zoveel ongelooflijke
fijne en hartelijke mensen. Velen van ons hebben niet dezelfde taal maar
we vonden ingenieuze manieren om te communiceren. Ik ben diep geroerd om
een deel van een gemeenschap die zich uitstrekt rond onze aarde en zal
nooit jullie vriendelijkheid terug kunnen betalen die jullie hebben
getoond.

Bedankt voor het lezen van gedachten,
Groeten en respect van....

New Email Discussion List

We have a new email discussion list thanks to Rod Trent and Susan Bradley. I can't express enough gratitude for what they've done. The discussion list opens up communication so everyone can help guide the direction of our effort to save TechNet. You can subscribe to the list or its RSS feed by visiting http://bit.ly/1cbcJro.

Please join the list. We need your help!

Respectfully,

Cody Skidmore

Train Signal Supports the Campaign

Yesterday saw the publication of more support for the Save TechNet campaign, this time from well respected training firm Train Signal. In their piece, entitled Microsoft Certified Trainer Campaigns to Save TechNet, they describe more actions of those keen on reversing Microsoft's absurd decision to axe TechNet. So please go read their piece and sign the petition!

The Campaign Ventures onto SlashDot

We've submitted details of the campaign over to Slashdot. Please feel free to vote the story up. It would be fabulous to get this onto the front page of Slashdot as that would magnify the impact. Go Here and vote: http://slashdot.org/submission/2839529/save-TechNet
 

We didn’t Get Dressed Up For Nothing!

August 1^st marks the four week anniversary of when our campaign began. Since July 1^st, more than 7,500 individuals from 92 countries joined us. I have no doubt we will reach 10,000 in the coming weeks as we approach the date Microsoft begins cutting subscribers off from TechNet. There are four issues before us.

One is Microsoft’s free offerings as a substitute for TechNet. In the interest of fairness, like many of you I explored Microsoft’s free evaluation center. Microsoft’s free offerings have no correlation to TechNet beyond basics. The list doesn’t include any legacy products what so ever. For that matter, only Windows 8 Enterprise is available. This may hint at products such as Office Pro 2013 dropping off in favor of Office 365 in the future.

The 30 – 180 day evaluation period is still inadequate since testing is frequently prolonged, overlapping, and intermittent. What I’ve seen doesn’t alter my opinion. These evaluations will not suffice as a substitute for TechNet.

Another issue is the cost of TechNet vs. MSDN. Figures vary based on subscription versions. The figures I use are based on TechNet Pro which costs $350 USD. The array of products available through TechNet Pro is broad and includes most legacy software. The only comparable MSDN subscription is Visual Studio Premium with MSDN at a cost of $6,120 USD which is unattainable for most of us.

Pirating TechNet licenses is a possible reason for closing TechNet. However pirating software isn’t exclusive to TechNet. Microsoft successfully combats pirating of its commercial products, so it has means to address pirating without closing TechNet. Many ideas for combating piracy were offered by individuals in our community. Microsoft has many options here.

Yet another issue is Microsoft’s handling of the announcement. Microsoft abruptly closed TechNet on July 1^st alienated the very individuals driving profits for its enterprise services (one of the only bright spots on its financial report). Microsoft couldn’t sufficiently explain its decision. It knew in advance how everyone would react. Microsoft wanted to avoid coming face to face with thousands of furious IT engineers, so it waited until after its TechEd conference in June to make the announcement.

Microsoft’s reasons for closing TechNet are widely viewed as weak. So the community emailed Microsoft asking for a better explanation. Microsoft replied with scripted messages but offered no context. The emails sent to subscribers in most countries are nearly identical.

One version:

“Thank you for contacting Microsoft. Your issue regarding Technet Retirement has been escalated to me at the Customer and Field Advocacy Team, by <…>.

We hear your concerns and frustrations. Ultimately, we decided to retire the TechNet Subscriptions because we’re seeing increased adoption of our free evaluation experiences like the TechNet Evaluation Center, which has grown 100% in the past year alone and received good feedback from our user base.

In a 2013 survey, more than 90% of our customers were able to complete their server evaluations through the Evaluation Center within 180 days.

Our teams are actively listening to input from our subscribers and will use customer feedback as we continue to invest in free resources for IT professionals.

Please reach out if you’d like to share additional feedback.”

Another version:

“Thank you for submitting your feedback regarding TechNet.

As IT trends and business dynamics have evolved, so has Microsoft’s set of offerings for IT professionals who are looking to learn, evaluate and deploy Microsoft technologies and services. In recent years, we have seen a usage shift from paid to free evaluation experiences and resources. As a result, Microsoft has decided to retire the TechNet Subscriptions service and will discontinue sales on August 31, 2013.

Microsoft will focus on growing and improving our free offerings for IT professionals, including evaluation resources through the TechNet Evaluation Center, expert-led learning through the Microsoft Virtual Academy, and community-moderated technical support through the TechNet Forums.

We are committed to helping customers through this transition phase and will remain focused on providing IT professionals with free access to a broad set of TechNet assets. Please visit http://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions/ for more information.

Your feedback is important and we appreciate you taking the time to contact us.”

If Microsoft had data backing it argument, it would roll out its numbers in full view of the public there-by ending the dispute. Clearly this hasn’t occurred which calls into question Microsoft’s motive for closing TechNet.

Microsoft wants and give up. It believes we will resign ourselves to the inevitable closing of TechNet and bend to its will. Some say we are charging at windmills and cannot overpower Microsoft. The question is how do we respond?

Do we become demoralized? Do we allow ourselves to be tossed aside after dedicating most of our careers to a company that so easily dismisses us? Do we betray our own convictions and community that will soon reach 10,000 because we’re facing a single-minded corporation with no compunctions about forcing us into its own agenda?

“We didn’t get dressed up for nothing!”

Defeating Microsoft is within our ability but requires great patience. We must be courageous and absolutely determined as our movement enters a new phase. We must exact such a high price on Microsoft in bad press and angry customers that closing TechNet becomes a liability it cannot afford. We will achieve this goal through an array of actions.

First establishing reliable communication across the community is urgent. Please join to the email discussion list below. This opens up communication so everyone can take a more active role guiding the movement. It also allows us to rapidly respond to events related to TechNet closing.

We created the following community resources to help us.

• A new Twitter account: @SaveTechNet
• A Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SaveTechnet
• A blog: http://SaveTechNet.com
• An email discussion list: http://myitforum.com/myitforumwp/services/email-lists-2/#SaveTechNet

We will setup campaign email addresses soon. In the meantime, use savetechnet@gmail.com.

We’re asking for volunteers to take control of these resources. We need individuals to manage them as well as help make them presentable so they’re effective in delivering our message to the public and Microsoft. Our message spread to 92 countries so language must be considered. If you can help with translating, we greatly need your help. Your assistance at all levels is critical to keep us growing. Please do what you can.

Next we need to align ourselves with other groups angry at Microsoft. One such group might be Microsoft’s investors. After a $900 million write down for tablets and July 19th’s $34 billion sell-off, investors are annoyed. They feel Microsoft’s reorganization did nothing to address its problems, and Microsoft’s multiple blunders indicate a change in management is required.

As mentioned, one of the bright spots on Microsoft’s financial report was profits from enterprise services. Investors may find the news that Microsoft alienated the very individuals driving profits for those services infuriating. To reach them we must penetrate both business and financial market news. We need to contact journalists focused on these areas and tell them our story. I’m making contact with them in the United States. I can provide a letter for use in other countries but it needs translating. Please contact us if you can translate it into your language and help publish it.

Finally, I personally want to express how fortunate it is to meet all of you. I read your comments daily and try very hard to personally reply to your emails. When the petition started, I never in my wildest dream thought I’d become acquainted with so many incredible people. Many of us don’t speak the same language yet we found ingenious ways to communicate. I am profoundly honored to be part of a community that stretches around our planet and will never repay the kindness you’ve shown.

Respectfully,

Cody Skidmore
Twitter: @CodySkidmore
HashTag: #TechNet