Does Microsoft want us to stop developing for Windows?
-
Are we the only ISV that is wondering why changes in Microsoft select program are being implemented? We buy the "select" package so we can test our apps on lots of configurations. Now it seems we have to "qualify" by sitting MS Certified XXX exams. We are staffed by developers and testers and only really deliver to end customers via partners (who are generally MSxxx). To us, it just seems like a ploy to sell more exams - which is fine, but this is costing us tooo much time, just so we can buy a product. Do Microsoft want us to move to Linux faster? Aren't other development companies feeling the pain - or are we the last Windows Dev shop? :confused:
-
Are we the only ISV that is wondering why changes in Microsoft select program are being implemented? We buy the "select" package so we can test our apps on lots of configurations. Now it seems we have to "qualify" by sitting MS Certified XXX exams. We are staffed by developers and testers and only really deliver to end customers via partners (who are generally MSxxx). To us, it just seems like a ploy to sell more exams - which is fine, but this is costing us tooo much time, just so we can buy a product. Do Microsoft want us to move to Linux faster? Aren't other development companies feeling the pain - or are we the last Windows Dev shop? :confused:
I don't know about the "select" program, but the "Action Pack" implemented similar qualifications last year - fortunately, some of the "courses" are available on-line and are free. I got the impression that they started this to weed out the individuals/companies who said they were developing applications (but really weren't) just to get the really good prices on the Microsoft products included in the packages.
Steve
-
Are we the only ISV that is wondering why changes in Microsoft select program are being implemented? We buy the "select" package so we can test our apps on lots of configurations. Now it seems we have to "qualify" by sitting MS Certified XXX exams. We are staffed by developers and testers and only really deliver to end customers via partners (who are generally MSxxx). To us, it just seems like a ploy to sell more exams - which is fine, but this is costing us tooo much time, just so we can buy a product. Do Microsoft want us to move to Linux faster? Aren't other development companies feeling the pain - or are we the last Windows Dev shop? :confused:
We used to have an MSDN universal subscription and it didn't add up economically. Just buying the stuff you *actually* need off the store shelf or cheapest legit online source is often cheaper than most programs Microsoft offers and that's what we do now.
"The pursuit of excellence is less profitable than the pursuit of bigness, but it can be more satisfying." - David Ogilvy
-
I don't know about the "select" program, but the "Action Pack" implemented similar qualifications last year - fortunately, some of the "courses" are available on-line and are free. I got the impression that they started this to weed out the individuals/companies who said they were developing applications (but really weren't) just to get the really good prices on the Microsoft products included in the packages.
Steve
I'm probably going to give up my action pack subscription because: a) the website is awful: really hard to navigate and is always broken. Have found no way to enter a change of address and make it stick. I have asked them several times to help and they don't even bother to respond. b) I have neither the time nor the inclination not the patience to sit some silly exam to prove my worthiness to use their products. All the machines I have came with a decent operating system (XP) so I'll just download Open Office for free: Office 2007 is not that great and Outlook 2007 is a dog. c) They're not the only game in town and anything I really need I'll buy as and when. First time I've ever really been mad at Microsoft because they're getting it more wrong than right (Vista!): alienating customers who evangelize and promote your products is not the way to keep us coming back for more.
-
We used to have an MSDN universal subscription and it didn't add up economically. Just buying the stuff you *actually* need off the store shelf or cheapest legit online source is often cheaper than most programs Microsoft offers and that's what we do now.
"The pursuit of excellence is less profitable than the pursuit of bigness, but it can be more satisfying." - David Ogilvy
Yep, they screwed up alright. I was on an MS focus group a few years ago when they were contemplating changing the MSDN pricing structure to the current system. The entire group unanimously panned the plan but they went ahead and did it anyway. Paid us cash for our opinions and then ignored them! I haven't been on a universal subscription since.
Nothing is exactly what it seems but everything with seems can be unpicked.
-
We used to have an MSDN universal subscription and it didn't add up economically. Just buying the stuff you *actually* need off the store shelf or cheapest legit online source is often cheaper than most programs Microsoft offers and that's what we do now.
"The pursuit of excellence is less profitable than the pursuit of bigness, but it can be more satisfying." - David Ogilvy
Same here. We actually saved even more money purchasing Visual Studio from Amazon.com (versus bulk purchases from Microsoft.) The only time it's an issue is when someone needs an OS or something for testing/development purposes. (The failure of Virtual PC to hijack the license of the underlying XP install when running XP drives me crazy.) I've been developing for Windows since being in the Windows 3.0 beta program. For all their rough spots, they seemed to improve their developer programs every year until about 2001/2002 when the flipped the giant bird and at of us. Their decisions lately have grown so stupid, I'm ready to find a new career (except I suck at everything else.) And I curse the stock market.
Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke
modified on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 3:29 PM
-
Same here. We actually saved even more money purchasing Visual Studio from Amazon.com (versus bulk purchases from Microsoft.) The only time it's an issue is when someone needs an OS or something for testing/development purposes. (The failure of Virtual PC to hijack the license of the underlying XP install when running XP drives me crazy.) I've been developing for Windows since being in the Windows 3.0 beta program. For all their rough spots, they seemed to improve their developer programs every year until about 2001/2002 when the flipped the giant bird and at of us. Their decisions lately have grown so stupid, I'm ready to find a new career (except I suck at everything else.) And I curse the stock market.
Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke
modified on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 3:29 PM
Joe Woodbury wrote:
I've been developing for Windows since being in the Windows 3.0 beta program. For all their rough spots, they seemed to improve their developer programs every year until about 2001/2002 when the flipped the giant bird and all of us.
Exactly. I'll go back (Back button permitting) and give this comment a 5 (I normally give people a 2, because I automatically click the 2 to go to the second page).
Joe Woodbury wrote:
And I curse the stock market.
Ooops! [Note to self: Don't tell Joe where you're working, right now].