39 replies to this topic

[ikon]

Am I the only one who downloads the entire Library? Well, 90% of it anyways.

I don't download the whole thing; mostly just the stuff I feel certain, and pretty sure, I will use, plus a few 'maybe' items.

[jmwills]

I got the whole thing last time and then as say, 2008R2 w/SP1 was released, I would replace the image w/o the SP.

[ImTheTypeOfGuy]

Am I the only one who downloads the entire Library? Well, 90% of it anyways.

Probably. I definitely don't. I probably only downloaded about 10 things.

[awraynor]

Last time I didn't renew until two days before the deadline. However, they hounded me worse than any telemarketer I have ever known until I did.
Just received my renewal notice today, what to do?

[cskenney]

Last time I didn't renew until two days before the deadline. However, they hounded me worse than any telemarketer I have ever known until I did.
Just received my renewal notice today, what to do?

I just renewed mine and you are right about them hounding you. In fact, 2 or 3 days after I got all the emails saying I was renewed they called me again! When I told them to check their records that I was already renewed they commented "oh, we will update our call records then".

I don't have the bandwidth to download everything. It would take me a very long time and I would only be able to do it at night when no one else is using our internet access.

[Greg Welch]

I have had the actionpack for 4 years and just let it lapse, and will renew with just technet.

i look at it as a great benifit so a renewal is a must

[ikon]

I have had the actionpack for 4 years and just let it lapse, and will renew with just technet.

i look at it as a great benifit so a renewal is a must

That will save you a few bucks

[JediTim]

Maybe I am missing something with the change in the Technet Subscription. Did Microsoft stop giving an additional two keys starting in March 2012 when you renew? If so, why would I bother to renew my subscription and instead spend the additional $50 for a new subscription to activate a whole new set of keys.

To pay a renewal fee would seem to be a waste of time for me if I can't get additional keys.
Tim

[jmwills]

Maybe I am missing something with the change in the Technet Subscription. Did Microsoft stop giving an additional two keys starting in March 2012 when you renew? If so, why would I bother to renew my subscription and instead spend the additional $50 for a new subscription to activate a whole new set of keys.

To pay a renewal fee would seem to be a waste of time for me if I can't get additional keys.
Tim

My feelings exactly. I do not plan to renew until Windows 8 goes final.

[dvn]

Recently got the call from the TechNet sales rep about renewal. I'm thinking I'll let it expire and buy back in when I need something I don't currently have.

I also don't like that they took keys during the middle of my subscription. Oh, I get the reasons and all. I just don't appreciate it.

Download the whole library? No. Just what I need, and a few things I think I'll be looking into.

[ikon]

Download the whole library? No. Just what I need, and a few things I think I'll be looking into.

That's a very good way to describe how I feel.

[JediTim]

That's a very good way to describe how I feel.

I agree...at first I downloaded quite a bit...not anymore. Sadly I will probable ensure I have all my keys and let the subscription expire. I will get a new subscription when needed.

[ikon]

I'm downloading SBS2011, Essentials and Standard now. It has Client Computer Backup/Restore and it can be a Domain Controller (at least as I understand it). To be honest, I'm sick and tired of messing around with accounts and passwords on every machine. I find having to ensure I have identical user ID's and passwords on multiple computers a huge PITA — it's actually easier to just have Domain Accounts and have all the computers joined to the domain.

I didn't realize my Technet Standard gives me access to SBS2011. I was looking at changing my server to Server 2008r2 and then installing WHS2011 as a Hyper-VM on it, so I could get Client Compuiet Backup/Restore but also have a Domain. SBS2011 can give me both in one package it appears (if this is in error someone please tell me).

[jmwills]

TechNet Professional will give you SBS Standard. Not sure about the regular subscription.

You hit the nail on the head and not every machine has to be joined to the domain. Those not joined will be served by the built-in DHCP server in SBS.

[ikon]

TechNet Professional will give you SBS Standard. Not sure about the regular subscription.

You hit the nail on the head and not every machine has to be joined to the domain. Those not joined will be served by the built-in DHCP server in SBS.

I'm not sure if it's always been that way, but my TechNet Standard does seem to give me SBS Standard.. Not sure I need it (I don't even know what the differences are between Essentials and Standard).

When I had a domain set up at home a few years back I did have every machine joined up. Is there any reason you think I shouldn't do that this time? DHCP is not something I use so it's not a concern. I've done a lot of work with DHCP at work, but chose not to use it at home.

[jmwills]

SBS Standard will require that it provide DHCP. You may have some OS's that will not allow you to join them to a Domain so do your homework in advance.

Standard will install Sharepoint and Exchange while Essentials is essentially WHS in a domain setting.

[ikon]

Oh, SBS Standard can provide DHCP all it wants; it just won't have any clients BTW, I do not have any non-domainable OS'.

I don't really want SharePoint or Exchange (having a domain will simplify account management and sharing but Exchange is a bear to manage - way overkill compared to my current email server) so I think Essentials is the best fit for me.

[jmwills]

You can run DHCP outside of SBS Std but Microsoft really discourages it. Exchange, or at least 2007/2010 is the only drawback to SBS, not so much that it is hard to manage, but it jacks up the RAM requirements to a minimum of 16GB for the install,

I'm kind of an Exchange and Sharepoint junkie so I like having it in there.

[ikon]

Just to clarify, I don't use DHCP, at all. I have set up and managed Exchange in the past (actually, I set up the first Exchange Server my employer had, 12-13 years ago. And, as part of the domain I had at home I also had an Exchange Server. However, my current email server requires many fewer.resources and much less management and....... it's portable (I can relocate the email server to another physical box just by copying it over).

I have to admit, the idea of a SharePoint Server has intrigued me, but I'm not sure if the benefits outweigh the resources needed and the management required.

[deadspeak]

well that's it time up.
Downloaded every in need ( and probably some i don't) got all keys and treble backed up.
Can't really see me signing back up when Win 8 hits.
WHS 2011 is rock solid for me.
My HTPC runs media center great (and that's now a dead product in Win8)
My 5 year old laptop is'nt really going to be geared towards the win8 experiance.
Will probably be looking at getting new hardware (maybe even a tablet)