What is Microsoft DSP software?

[DearHeart]

You used to be able to buy Office and Windows DSP licenses at Matrix and the like, as long as you bought a peripheral component such as a mouse with it. After Office 2007 was released I went and bought a license at Matrix with a media kit. On opening the license I read that you must buy this within 90 of purchasing a complete system - the conclusion was that this is an OEM version, not DSP. Yesterday they told me at Matrix that the DSP licenses are back in stock and the old rules apply. My question is, where can I find the EULA for Office and Windows software? Is it true that the license is valid if you buy some hardware with it?

 

[DearHeart]

OK, just in case anyone would like to know or care, I phoned Microsoft and this is the answer: Vista and XP licenses can be purchased together with a peripheral component, but Office only on a fully assembled PC. As most of you know, Matrix etc will sell you the license and the media kit without blinking an eye. The end result of this situation is that Microsoft, Matrix and the distributor got their share, the client is in possession of a license, invoice and the software, but they are blissfully unaware that they are on the same level as a pirate, and out of pocket I have an idea that the distributor and Microsoft are turning a blind eye, after all they got their share and can still hit the ignorant business through the BSA when they feel like it </end rant>

 

[LazyLion]

I have bought plenty of XP DSP discs from Matrix along with various components, so I am not worried about the legality of those. That is kind of a moot point anyway, since Microsoft will not give you support for that copy anyway.

But as you say, the situation regarding office is a little bit different. I agree that Matrix should be checking that customers are buying it with a complete system in order to qualify for the license.... but again... with those licenses Microsoft is not going to give you any kind of support, so what does it really matter at the end of the day. You got the software with no support. Microsoft really does not worry about that situation. It is more a case of let the buyer beware and let him make sure that he does indeed qualify for the license. But since it is a DSP or OEM license anyway, he is not going to get much support from Microsoft.

 

[DearHeart]

Garyvdh, you are right about the support issue, but imo Microsoft support is a bit lame, they just do a search on their website and email you the link, easier to do that yourself. On the other hand, I suppose if a normal business client need support, they are going to be quite frustrated to hear that MS will not support them.

I don't blame clients for buying the DSP versions at Matrix, but the onus is still on the client to make sure of the facts. The pricing for Office is awful, look at this pricing from Incredible:

MS Office 2007 Standard: R 4,999.95, Basic is R1799 at Matrix.

On the other hand, the Standard upgrade at Incredible is R 2,699.95 and you can legally upgrade from MS Works, which is about R400, total cost approx R3100, a savings of R1900 and you're legal

 

[LazyLion]

Garyvdh, you are right about the support issue, but imo Microsoft support is a bit lame, they just do a search on their website and email you the link, easier to do that yourself. On the other hand, I suppose if a normal business client need support, they are going to be quite frustrated to hear that MS will not support them.

I don't blame clients for buying the DSP versions at Matrix, but the onus is still on the client to make sure of the facts. The pricing for Office is awful, look at this pricing from Incredible:

MS Office 2007 Standard: R 4,999.95, Basic is R1799 at Matrix.

On the other hand, the Standard upgrade at Incredible is R 2,699.95 and you can legally upgrade from MS Works, which is about R400, total cost approx R3100, a savings of R1900 and you're legal

Yes, that sounds like a much better way of doing things! But it is still shocking that the price of Office costs more than what you can buy a complete computer for at Matrix!!!

Hopefully with the inroads that Open Office and Google Docs are making we will see Microsoft come to some more sane pricing levels in regard to Office!