2008 Woodie Awards
Microsoft provides free software
By: Mike Wayland
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: News
Central Michigan University students can now get free software from Microsoft.
Earlier this month, the computer giant launched "Microsoft DreamSpark," a Web site that offers free downloading of a diverse range of programming software to more than 35 million college students in 11 countries and regions.
"I think it's a win-win situation for students," said Laura Campbell, an assistant computer science professor.
The programs include Visual Studio 2008 and 2005 Professional Edition, XNA Game Studio 2.0, a 12-month free academic membership in the XNA Creators Club, SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition, Expression Studio and Virtual PC 2007. To receive the free software, students must sign up for a Windows Live ID, get verified as a student through the Web site, and download whichever programs they choose.
According to the DreamSpark Web site, Microsoft is giving students the software "to support and advance (student) learning and skills through technical design, technology, math, science and engineering activities."
Pennsylvania junior Jeff Stark said he registered at https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/, and downloaded Visual Studio 2008 and Expression Studio after student verification.
"I used Visual Studio 2004 and just wanted to get the next version and Expression Studio had a lot of cool looking features," Stark said.
This is not the first instance of college students receiving free software.
Most of the DreamSpark programs students can get through Microsoft's MSDN Academic Alliance or online, Stark said.
IBM, Microsoft and Apple have made "alliances" with universities offering free software to college students, Campbell said.
St. Johns junior and Pearce Hall computer lab consultant Nick Fedewa said Microsoft is working to help its client market grow, but with some older software.
"(Microsoft) wants to broaden their user base for people who haven't been able to use the software, " Fedewa said. "Some of (the software) is slightly old, so they will probably release newer versions, if they haven't already."
Stark said CMU is not on the major colleges listed in the pull-down menu, but CMU students can get verified by e-mail by a third party through the Web site with their social security number and name.
Campbell said Microsoft is betting that if students download these programs, they will use them after college, recommend them to employers and use them for the rest of their lives.
"Basically, (college students are) going to be the next generation of consumers," Campbell said.
news@cm-life.com
Earlier this month, the computer giant launched "Microsoft DreamSpark," a Web site that offers free downloading of a diverse range of programming software to more than 35 million college students in 11 countries and regions.
"I think it's a win-win situation for students," said Laura Campbell, an assistant computer science professor.
The programs include Visual Studio 2008 and 2005 Professional Edition, XNA Game Studio 2.0, a 12-month free academic membership in the XNA Creators Club, SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition, Expression Studio and Virtual PC 2007. To receive the free software, students must sign up for a Windows Live ID, get verified as a student through the Web site, and download whichever programs they choose.
According to the DreamSpark Web site, Microsoft is giving students the software "to support and advance (student) learning and skills through technical design, technology, math, science and engineering activities."
Pennsylvania junior Jeff Stark said he registered at https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/, and downloaded Visual Studio 2008 and Expression Studio after student verification.
"I used Visual Studio 2004 and just wanted to get the next version and Expression Studio had a lot of cool looking features," Stark said.
This is not the first instance of college students receiving free software.
Most of the DreamSpark programs students can get through Microsoft's MSDN Academic Alliance or online, Stark said.
IBM, Microsoft and Apple have made "alliances" with universities offering free software to college students, Campbell said.
St. Johns junior and Pearce Hall computer lab consultant Nick Fedewa said Microsoft is working to help its client market grow, but with some older software.
"(Microsoft) wants to broaden their user base for people who haven't been able to use the software, " Fedewa said. "Some of (the software) is slightly old, so they will probably release newer versions, if they haven't already."
Stark said CMU is not on the major colleges listed in the pull-down menu, but CMU students can get verified by e-mail by a third party through the Web site with their social security number and name.
Campbell said Microsoft is betting that if students download these programs, they will use them after college, recommend them to employers and use them for the rest of their lives.
"Basically, (college students are) going to be the next generation of consumers," Campbell said.
news@cm-life.com
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