Microsoft Slash TechNet Product Keys from 10 to 5 to 3

In September 2010, citing concerns over piracy, Microsoft slashed the number of product keys available to subscribers of its TechNet service from 10 per product down to 5.  This caused some arguments but Microsoft still insisted that the annual subscription of $349 was great value for what you got.  Now though the company has announced that the number of available product keys is to be slashed even further to just 3 per product.

So what does this mean?  Fortunately it doesn’t mean that for $349 you only get three Windows product keys and three for Office.  You will get three for Windows 8 Home Premium, three for Windows 8 Professional, three for Windows 8 professional Plus, three for Windows 8 Ultimate and so on.  For office it’s three for Office 15 Standard and three for Office 15 Professional etc.  That’s still excellent value for money for software that’s just “for evaluation purposes”.  Each licence will still also do 10 activations so so that will make up 24 installations of Windows 8 which is enough for anyone to “test”.

In a blog post that can only be seen by current subscribers the company said…

Beginning in mid-March 2012, subscribers to TechNet Subscriptions (excluding TechNet Standard which are entitled to 2 keys per product) may access a maximum allocation of three (3) product keys for Microsoft Office and Windows Client products in connection with their subscription. The allotted keys may only be used for software evaluation purposes. Once the maximum keys have been activated, no more keys will be made available. Additional product keys may be acquired through the purchase of an additional subscription.

There is another restriction though in that subscribers will now only be able to claim 44 keys in total in any one 24 hour period…

Reaching your limit means that you have claimed the maximum number of keys allowed for your program benefit level within a 24 hour period. Every 24 hours you may claim another set of keys, up to your program levels maximum.

So why is the company doing this?  Again they say it’s because of piracy concerns…

Why has Microsoft limited my access to product keys?

We are acting to protect the value of your subscription. If we did not act to prevent abuse of subscriptions we would eventually have to either limit the products available in a subscription or raise the price of your subscription. We believe that this is the best compromise to continue to deliver the highest value to you while limiting abuse at the same time.

Some people might turn off TechNet now or perhaps take up a pricier MSDN subscription instead, though the question now needs to be asked how long it will talk for Microsoft to reduce the number of MSDN keys as well.

It’s a blow to existing subscribers, especially to long-time subscribers such as myself who need to be able to test different hardware configurations, dual boot systems and virtual machine environments.  For those however there are the trial versions of Windows and Office.  Office 2010 has a 60-day trial verstion and hopefully this will continue with Office 15.  Windows 7 also offers a 30 day trial version and we can only hope that Windows 8 does to.  This will help circumvate some of the issues regards fewer keys being available from TechNet.

It just seems a pity though that the move isn’t coming with a price reduction but never mind  :/

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About the Author:Mike Halsey is a Microsoft MVP for "Windows Expert". He is also the author of Troubleshooting Windows 7 Inside Out from Microsoft Press and the Windows 7 Power Users Guide, a how-to guide for non-technical Windows users on how to get the best out of Microsoft's new operating system, with step-by-step and quick guides. You can follow Mike on Facebook, Twitter or on his own website The Long ClimbAuthor: Mike Halsey MVP, Thursday March 22, 2012 -
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SPS Unbrako - A Product Line That Has Withstood The Test Of Time

In case you do not know what SPS stands for, it means Standard Press Steel. American Howard T. Hallowell and Harald F. Gade, a Norwegian engineer, began the company in 1903. The year 1906 is when they really started in earnest. Standard Press Steel got off the ground by making socket set screws. The company moved to a bigger location once the need for other products was great. The products included bolts and also other threaded items.

The early days of SPS Unbrako were a time of trial and error. Skilled craftsmen made an effort to make the best parts they were able to with the calipers and scales of the time. It was only during World War I that the company sought to raise the precision of their manufactured items.

1920 was the year Standard Press Steel transferred its operations to Jenkintown. This Philadelphia suburb served as location for the company headquarters and remained such even in the decades ahead. When workers at the plant found they needed extra work benches, they started selling other shop equipment like cabinets and shelves, to other companies. After this happened, the SPS Unbrako product line was born. Many companies purchased the firm's now famous socket screws. This made Standard Press Steel reconsider its distribution network.

What happened after was, as the saying goes, "history." One product that has stood the test of time is the cap screw. A cap screw is a fastener connecting objects and holds them together securely. You use these if you want to fasten machine parts together. Objects which require the use of a cap screw include home appliances and electronic devices. It is vital that you pick the right size and type of cap screw for each individual application.

To use a cap screw, you must tighten it directly into a threaded or tapped hole. You typically use it without a nut. A large head on one end and a cylindrical shaft with an external thread makes this up. The external thread is a helical structure which allows the screw to advance any time you rotate it. It is because the tapped hole has an internal thread, which matches the external screw thread. Whenever you insert the screw and rotate it into the tapped hole, it will advance. To tighten or loosen the screw, all you do is apply some torque to the head with the use of a tool.

Cap screws come in a variety of forms. This lets you use different tools to tighten or loosen a screw. The head has a larger diameter than the threaded part. This is to supply a positive mechanical stop whenever you tighten it. Another reason why is it allows the head to accept a specific tool type.

Samples of this are the button head cap screw, the hex head cap screw, and the socket head cap screw. You use the button head cap screw for counterbored holes. Its lower profile, dome-shaped head, and recessed hexagonal hole make this possible. The hex head is for use with a spanner wrench, while the socket head has a recessed hexagonal hole perfect for an Allen wrench.

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Sign Up for Demo-targeted Online Dating Sites Like MPwH

General Description: Dating online has become an increasingly popular alternative for singles worldwide. If this sounds like something you're interested in, this is a quick discussion on online dating and websites like bbpeoplemeet.com and MPwH.

Online dating is really a phenomenon which has taken off throughout the last decade. A lot more people are using websites to connect with others and locate a potential partner. As reported by a recent poll, one out of every three people makes use of the net in an attempt to find a partner. It's a phenomena that will continue to develop in order to meet present day lifestyles of folks around the globe. Two noteworthy sites today are MPwH and bbpeoplemeet.com

Essential Suggestions for Internet Dating

The internet hosts a wide variety of dating sites. Several are general networking sites, while some appeal to a specific group. The first step would be to get a website that fits your desired goals and intentions. You have to come to a decision whether you wish to subscribe to a general service or one servicing particular preferences. An example could be a website committed to helping Asians find other Asians, or perhaps a website for Latin singles. The options are endless and it is at your discretion to decide which to join.

The next step after joining should be to set up an user profile. Normally, the website will need you to provide basic information. This usually comprises of your name, age, gender, as well as some blurbs about your hobbies and passions. These are the fundamentals to find suitable matches. All websites will strongly encourage you to upload a recent photo of yourself. An user profile without a picture is going to make it much more hard to establish connections. One trend rising these days is uploading a video as opposed to a picture. Many claim it is a better means of evaluating a profile's legitimacy.

Do not be too eager about finding a match. They are going to come once you provide sufficient details and a picture of yourself. Someone will inevitably encounter your profile. Keep yourself engaged and things will get interesting as you go along.

Risks and Advantages

Unlike most social networking sites that are free of charge, internet dating usually comes with a price. There's always the possibility of not getting your money's worth. You'll have to proceed through several profiles before finding someone you are interested in. Worse, you may not find anyone you like at all. This is why it might help to subscribe to services from a demographic-specific site rather than a general one. For instance, if you're a big man seeking a big and beautiful woman, you might want to sign up at bbpeoplemeet.com.

There are also sites like MPwH, which is a site made for individuals with herpes and HPV. Sites such as these realize it might be particularly hard for such people to find partners in the real world. This is the reason they promote such services.

Although there is a social stigma, it may have its benefits. These sites provide you with a relatively safe venue for meeting people. The people you come across are those you possibly will not find in person. It's also especially effective if you have exhausted the social scene in your local area.

Of course, another potential advantage of signing up at bbpeoplemeet.com or MPwH is you can stay friends with the people if a romantic relationship does not work. Browse through dating review sites to learn which ones will work best for you.

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Cartier Mens Economics and New Product Advertising Strategy

Cartier Mens has just released for public sale a brand new design watch called the Milgauss towards the community with a MSRP of $6,400. However, you'll have little chance of obtaining one particular from an authorized dealer(AD)for quite possibly many years unless you happen to be among the select handful of preferred customs. Around the other hand, it is possible to purchase one from an auction forum including E-bay for $15,000. It is a little bit of the shock for the system, but that seems to become the price tag people are prepared to pay for this new type.

The price tag is known as an operate of supply and demand. Demand for your new Milgauss with its different green tinted crystal is higher along with the number of pieces released for sale by Cartier Mens are much decrease compared to demand.

The exact point in time a brand new product is released for sale is within the sole discretion of Cartier. Cartier Mens can wait until they have 10,000 pieces manufactured and in stock and then release the new type in an orderly fashion to cope with demand. Alternatively, Cartier Mens can release say 100 pieces world wide to ensure that the product is incredibly scarce and demand much outstrips supply.

So what are the real world consequences of the release of sufficient provide V. a small insufficient supply: for the community of a new product similar to the Milgauss?

A abundant provide of a new model towards the market means:

(a) all enthusiasts, grey dealers and joe average gets to buy one particular from an AD

(b) the grey dealers cannot ask outrageous prices (like 1-200% margins above retail) as supply does not permit that to occur.

(c) there is going to be a quantity of pieces for sale on e-bay and quite possibly at or perhaps a small below MSRP which will not please AD's who is not going to be in a position to extol the notion of 'exclusivity' or 'rarity' and who are also under increasing pressure to discount the brand new piece and reduce their profit margin.

(d) there will not be a false perception that the new design is 'exclusive' or 'limited' or 'rare' and dealers is not going to be able to tell their big spenders how fortunate they must feel acquiring received this kind of a 'rare' product.

(e) Cartier Mens is still perceived like a luxury brand name but when the 'exclusivity' of the new product is lost, it becomes much less desirable to people who want something that Mr. Jones doesn't have a handful of doors down the road.

A scarce or fairly limited provide of a brand new product to the market indicates:

(a) lots of enthusiasts will miss out the chance to buy from an AD for some substantial time, potentially years or or else devote a large sum ordering it from a grey market dealer who tends to make much more profit than Cartier;

(b) grey dealers and others who possess an amount buying relationship from an AD will get preference to getting the brand new type only to place it on the market for at the very least 100% margin eg ebay;

(c) AD's who favour their huge spending customers can use the rarity from the type to illicit added purchases from their significant spenders (not necessarily Cartier) so AD's can use it to increase their total revenue volume and profits;

(d) Joe Average has no possibility to acquire this product from an AD for what might possibly be described as a considerable time being perhaps a long time down the track.

(e) Cartier Mens and AD's cannot get any advantage of calling the design 'rare' or 'scarce' and able to promote an image of exclusivity to bump up cost and procure collateral product sales i.e. you buy a Patek and you may have a Green Milgauss.

(f) As soon as the product is sold on Ebay for any massive premium and ADs start to foster the orchestrated believe in the rarity of scarcity with the design, they as well charge a premium for your sale from the new model.

(g) The enthusiast suffers purchase now for 100% above retail or wait for an indefinite period.

Cartier Mens watches are identified for their completely unique bracelet type. The bracelets manufactured by Cartier Mens are of supreme good quality to complement the world-renowned Cartier Mens wristwatches. While, Cartier Mens delivers numerous watch models featuring high quality leather bands in desirable colors, the bracelets offered with Cartier Mens watches possess a special place inside the hearts of Cartier Mens enthusiasts.

Primarily, three basic bracelet styles are available with Cartier Mens wristwatches. They're:

A. Oyster Bracelet: Perhaps the most common and identifiable Cartier Mens bracelet style. It without difficulty may be distinguished from other bracelet types by its broader polished center links set off by narrower brushed complete links on the sides.

Cartier Mens gives some amazing jewelry options within the Oyster bracelet. In the event you would like to go for an overpriced and exclusive option in Oyster bracelets, you may select any on the list of following -

1. Super Oyster Karat embedded with 100/174/270/286 round shaped diamonds

2. Super Oyster Karat embedded with 100 pink sapphires

three. Super Oyster Karat embedded with 100 sky-blue sapphires

4. Super Oyster Karat embedded with 174 small round shaped diamonds and 14 massive diamonds/emeralds/rubies/sapphires

B. Jubilee Bracelet:- The Jubilee bracelet was released in 1945 when Cartier Mens rolled out 1 of its most famous watch models: The Datejust. This bracelet design renders a pretty stylish appear to the watch. You can actually identify the Jubilee bracelet by its center link that comprises of 3 separate lines of extremely polished links. On the sides with the center link are narrower links with brushed complete.

Of all types readily available in the Jubilee bracelet, those obtainable in bark finish are a consistently well-liked style. Jubilee bracelets also present jewelry options such as the subsequent:

1.Super Oyster Karat embedded with 100/174/270/286 round shaped diamonds

2.Super Oyster Karat embedded with 100 pink sapphires

three.Super Oyster Karat embedded with 100 sky-blue sapphires

4.Super Oyster Karat embedded with 174 small round shaped diamonds and 14 sizeable diamonds/emeralds/rubies/sapphires

C. President Bracelet: The President Bracelet was released using the Cartier Mens Day-Date models in 1954. This bracelet became favorite for its effective appearance. It features polished center links perfectly complemented from the brushed end links on two sides from the center links, similar to those in Oyster bracelets. However, the difference in between the Oyster and President bracelets lies inside the variety of links. Within the situation of President bracelets, you'll find a great deal more quantity of links (23 or 24 in Men's Day-Date designs and 36 in ladies Presidential models) as opposed to the Oyster bracelets that generally arrive with only 12 or 13 links. This really is as a result of, the links within the Oyster bracelets are larger than people inside the President bracelets.

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