Chemistry IT signed up, at no cost, for a Microsoft DreamSpark Premium subscription to benefit Chemistry Department educators, researchers, and graduate students in October 2013. One benefit, for example, is that Chemistry Department graduate students can now get a copy of the current version of Windows ($40-200) on their personal laptops, for free (one licensed copy per OS level). As well as other Microsoft software.

Summary of Chemistry Department's DreamSpark

The Chemistry Department's Imagine (was DreamSpark) (MSDNAA) portal is available to faculty, instructors, and Chemistry Department grad students. We used to do enrollment in Imagine by re-loadeding in September of each year (by Chemistry IT), removing all those not in that new load. Value of doing so seems low so haven't done since ~2016.

QuickStart (1-2-3)

(1) Know the license limitations

Please understand the limitations of the program, detailed below. For example, Microsoft states:

  • "The tools and technologies provided through the DreamSpark Premium subscription may only be used for academic instruction, academic projects, and non-commercial research."
  • Also, users report that only one copy of an OS level is allowed since only one key is issued. For example, a single key is given for Win7 32-bit and 64-bit, so only one may be installed with that key. Win8 is a different key, however.
  • When using their service, they require you to accept the following agreement (as of 6/23/2017):
    • By signing up for the Microsoft Imagine program, you are agreeing that Microsoft and its family of companies may send you program emails and a monthly student newsletter (if available) with information about Microsoft Imagine including software, services, contests and resources available to students at no cost through the Microsoft Imagine program.(...)

(2) Understand the installation process

Here’s our best guess on how the installation mechanics will work:

  • If it's a personal computer, work directly using Microsoft's site to get a key and download the software. Then, install the software.
  • If it's a Chemistry (Cornell) computer, work directly using Microsoft's site to get a key and download the software. Contact <chemit@cornell.edu> or your IT rep to install the software.

(3) Download the software, or get enabled to do so

Download the desired software, and obtain related support, from Microsoft DreamSpark's service web site:

Direct link to the WebStore:

NOTE: If you are not registered with the Chemistry Department (you arrived between when Chemistry IT uploads Chemistry Department researcher's NetIDs to Microsoft), you will need to have your NetID entered into the system.

Help/support link:

Since this is a new program for all of us, please let us know at  <chemit@cornell.edu> if you have suggestions on how we can improve administering the program. Thank you!

Table of Contents, for this page

Benefits of the Microsoft DreamSpark Premium subscription to CCB

  • Any graduate student can get any version of Windows on their personal laptops, for free. Thus saving $40-200. They don't have to delete the software when they leave, since license is "Perpetual Rights". But they must get the software before they leave!
  • Research lab researchers get access to expensive Microsoft programming software for free.
    • Ex. Visual Studio Pro 2012, $500 list (no academic pricing available).
  • One Note is made available for researchers, educators, and grad students.
  • Free access to Visio (drawing tools) and MS Project, if used for eligible (STEM) education and research.
  • Provides ChemIT staff (CCB representatives) 4 Technical Support Incidents and Priority Support in MSDN (MS Developer Network) Forums.

See Microsoft's DreamSpark FAQ, which answers questions such as:

Who in CCB is enrolled in the program?

Faculty, Grads, and select staff, per lists provided to ChemIT from the CCB Admin Office and the CCB Grad Office:

  • CCB enrollment list for DreamSpark
    • Contact ChemIT <chemit> if you find any errors with this list. Thank you.
  • Once a year (when?), this list will get updated.
    • When that happens, ChemIT will consider sending out a notice of this program.

Limitations on software's use, per Microsoft

DreamSpark Premium Usage Guidelines

https://www.dreamspark.com/Institution/DSP-Usage-Guidelines.aspx

  • "The tools and technologies provided through the DreamSpark Premium subscription may only be used for academic instruction, academic projects, and non-commercial research".

To resolve licensing ambiguities, you are welcome to review some highlighted portions of the guidelines, along with Oliver's interpretation.

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT - MICROSOFT DREAMSPARK PREMIUM

https://www.dreamspark.com/Institution/DSP-EULA.aspx

Support

Need help or support? Please go to:

Program eligibility questions? Start by contacting:

  • ChemIT <chemit@cornell.edu>.

See also

Add your NetID to CCB's DreamSpark

Occasionally someone will need to have their NetID added to CCB's DreamSpark. Here's how.

CCB enrollment list for DreamSpark

Your NetID credentials are required to get to see this list.

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