ChemIT signed up, at no cost, for a Microsoft DreamSpark Premium subscription to benefit CCB educators, researchers, and graduate students in October 2013. One benefit, for example, is that CCB 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.
QuickStart (1-2-3)
1. 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.
2. 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 CCB 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 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 CCB (you arrived between when ChemIT uploads CCB staff 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?
All CCB academic staff in CCB as of 10/2013, per the CCB Admin Office and the CCB Grad Office.
- 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 intends to again send 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>.