RSSDell goes direct with Microsoft downloadable software
By Tim Conneally | Published June 11, 2009, 10:57 AM
If you thought Microsoft's partnership with HP in the Laptop Hunters ad series was a notable "outside of the box" relationship, another has shown up today: Microsoft has made its software available as direct downloads through Dell's five-month old online software shop.
This makes Dell the first official non-Microsoft download shop since Redmond opened The Microsoft Store's downloads late last year.
The downloadable versions of Word, Excel, and Outlook are available for about 10%-15% less than MSRP, and because their serials are saved with a user's ID, the software can be re-downloaded at any time for no extra charge. Dell also offers volume licensing through the Microsoft Open License program.
Though Dell may have tried to move past its roots in directly distributed PC hardware, the manufacturer-fronted direct download store is a model that every company seems to have warmed up to.
This is actually a good deal. This is less than most small business license costs, if you aren't interested in getting training/technet subscriptions.
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|"the software can be re-downloaded at any time for no extra charge"
Nice. I would have expected a hardware has or some other method of authentication. So MSFT is now going "One License - Unlimited Installs" now? ;)
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|Downloaded and installed != authenticated
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|Haven't they technically somewhat, always been? Alright, no...they haven't but I mean, I have several PCs in my household...always have and back when Office 2003 was 'new' I had it on all machines (and yes, only owned 1 license). They're not as draconian as I've heard in stories. And I wouldn't say they're going one license - unlimited installs, I'd say they're going smart and allowing 1 "household" purchase to serve for the entire household....since they're linked to Windows Live ID which are pretty much stuffed with your personal information (and billing info, etc.). I'm sure there are stipulations about how many times per month/year etc. the software can be activated as well.
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|"Downloaded and installed != authenticated"
*laughing*
No s***, sherlock?
Unfortunately, as other than serial, no other methods of authentication were mentioned, one can easily assume there *is* no other form of authentication. The post was meant to urge the author of the article to specify.
...but thanks for stating the obvious.
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|Windows live can be tied to any e-mail address, which can be tied to any name. I haven't used my windows live associated e-mail in 6 years, but I still use it to login to their service to get technet crap.
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