dotnet web services: I urge every developer who has an MSDN subscription (Universal) to petition
MS to change their proposed ideas on Visual Studio Team Suite (VSTS).
Depending on what you read, they are proposing to not include it or raise
the price to between $5,000 and $10,000. Every developer who has helped MS
make loads of cash of these past many years needs to write to them. Let
them know they are about to alienate the one group that always and
consistently helps them be successful. It is the most ridiculous thing
they've ever proposed. Unbelievable!!!

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/productfeedback/viewfeedback.aspx?feedbackId=2b58b8db-5bba-4dfc-be10-78ad43686b3b


MICROSOFT PLEASE RECONSIDER. YOU WILL LOSE SALES. YOU WILL ALIENATE ALL
CLASSES OF DEVELOPERS!

We are the ones that stick up for you when everyone bashes MS.

Help us help you!

GClark

Microsoft has urged users to purchase a MSDN Universal (I think)
subscription RSN. Current users will be grandfathered in. That is, they
will not have to pay the increased license cost and will be able to enjoy
VSTS using the current licensing structure. Only new licensees, those who
purchase AFTER the change will be affected.

Dick

--
Richard Grier (Microsoft Visual Basic MVP)

See www.hardandsoftware.net for contact information.

Author of Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications, 4th
Edition ISBN 1-890422-28-2 (391 pages) published July 2004. See
www.mabry.com/vbpgser4 to order.

Maybe you should read this
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/mar05/03-21VS2005PR.asp

Here's a snippet:

No-Cost Upgrades for Active MSDN Universal Subscribers

Existing MSDN Universal subscribers can enjoy a seamless transition to
Visual Studio 2005 Team System and automatically receive a no-cost upgrade
to one of the role-based subscription products for each active subscription
license they own at the time of product availability. Special upgrade
pricing to the Team Suite also will be available. Active subscribers may
elect to renew their subscription and preserve their existing pricing for
future renewals, if they choose; customers without subscriptions, or
customers whose subscriptions have lapsed at the time of product
availability, will not receive these special pricing offers.

--
Teemu Keiski
ASP.NET MVP, Finland

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I don't see the problem. MSDN universal is an individual license. This
means that it's not a 'team' who licenses MSDN Universal. Though 'team
system' is only really effective if you use it in a team. As an
individual, there is not that much value in a large team system
installation, as it requires a lot of resources an individual probably
doesn't have (i.e.: installing it all on your laptop isn't recommended).

I'm glad to see they've addressed this somewhat. I'm still a little worried
about the trend though.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/mar05/03-21VS2005PR.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2005/mar05/03-21DevToolsPricing.asp

One of my points is also that we developers are also the ones who often
recommend the tools to use for development to various companies we do work
for. If we cannot evaluate the product, we cannot recommend it. I need to
be able so see what the tools offer before I can recommend them. Not only
the tools, but Office products, the various servers, etc. We are directly
and indirectly responsible for many sales for MS.

As far as cost goes, I've usually been able to make the company I'm working
for at the time purchase MSDN. It is far easier to get $2500 approved than
it would be to get $5000, or even $10000. Those times when I have to
purchase MSDN myself would make it prohibitively expensive for me to
purchase. As a developer, I want all the tools I can get my hands on to
make my life as easy as possible. Often times, I work standalone, so I need
to use all the tools to get the job done. I suspect there are many one-man
shops out there. And, for those times when I have to work with others, I at
least want to know how to use the tools that we'll all be using. It is
critical that I get to at the very least familiarize myself with those
tools.

I have always supported MS and will continue to do so. I just want to make
sure they take care of me (and us) as a loyal developer, user, and
salesperson. I would hate to have to switch to a different platform because
the cost is prohibitive. I would hate to have to downgrade my subscription
and not be able to use the advanced tools because of cost. I've been able
to be a better developer and salesperson for MS because I've always had
access to the full line of products via Universal. It just feels like that
may change when they start tweaking with prices and levels. Universal means
Universal.


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There is a good deal of stuff in Team System that even lone developers could
benefit from. Profiling, Bug Tracking, Architechting Tools, Testing Tools,
etc.
I agree that Microsoft should be looking out for the little guy here. An
MSDN subscription costs a lot of money for individual consultants, but at
least it used to mean that they'd get everything they need. It no longer
seems to mean that, so what good is it to pay all that money?

--
I hope this helps,
Steve C. Orr, MCSD, MVP
http://SteveOrr.net



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I think you (and MS) have forgotten about the individual developer
consultant like myself who needs all the roles and doesn't want to buy 4
licenses to get them.

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Hey! It's not a reason to worry! Just think about your own subscription -
you'll get new Team System for free!

Don't even try to make developers against MS or will stay against you! :))

Gaidar

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