Microsoft Software options

[TimStone]

The question was asked in another thread, so I wanted to share some information with you if you are considering adding Visual Studio to your tools. Antonio is already providing a tutorial series on how to use FWH / Harbour within Visual Studio. Hopefully we will be able to bridge a gap and do many new tasks as a result of this integration.

If you are looking to work with Visual Studio, Microsoft provides the Express versions for free. You can also get the 2013 Preview version for free and learn how to use it before its final release. All versions are available ( even Ultimate ) in the preview.

Microsoft has numerous programs. One, called Website Spark provided free web development tools, MS Server, and Visual Studio for 3 years. The program is now discontinued, but others may take its place.

Perhaps one of the best deals is to sign up as a Microsoft Partner ( free ), and then get an Action Pack subscription. It runs about $ 450 / year for the developer version but it includes a wide range of licenses, including Visual Studio, the various servers, all of the Office software, and much more.

Many corporations that use Microsoft products have employee licensing prices where you can obtain different programs for only $ 10. ( All prices are US ). Also, students and staffs in education can get heavily discounted prices on all products.

Finally, you can buy a copy of Visual Studio 2012 Pro for about $ 470 US, but you may want to wait a short while for that version because soon they will likely offer the incentive of a free upgrade to VS 2013. This is without MSDN which adds quite a bit.

Also, Microsoft has established two major trends. First, they are now updating all of the products regularly ( Windows is usually weekly ) on Tuesdays. Secondly, they are moving into very affordable subscription services. Because Microsoft is working very hard to add more developers, and have them modernize their products, I personally believe we will see a very affordable programming suite available on a monthly basis. It just makes sense, and that would include a steady stream of updates.

It is possible to be quite productive with the Express packages. However, some capabilities are not available ( ie. Lightswitch ).

I hope this helps those who are considering this addition to their tools.

Tim

[Antonio Linares]

Tim,

Also, all Microsoft products are free for University students (for life):
https://www.dreamspark.com/

[Otto]

>updating all of the products regularly ( Windows is usually weekly ) on Tuesdays

Hello,
I found that on our terminal servers this can cause problems.
You never know what happens. Sometimes the machines must be restarted.
Here is a script to disable the automatically update.
Best regards,
Otto

Code: Select all  Expand view

<#
.SYNOPSIS
   Disables automatic windows updates
.DESCRIPTION
   Disables checking for and applying Windows Updates (does not prevent updates from being applied manually or being pushed down)
   Run on the machine that updates need disabling on.
.PARAMETER <paramName>
   None
.EXAMPLE
   ./Disable-WindowsUpdates.ps1
#>
$RunningAsAdmin = ([Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal] [Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()).IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole] "Administrator")
if ($RunningAsAdmin)
{

        $Updates = (New-Object -ComObject "Microsoft.Update.AutoUpdate").Settings

        if ($Updates.ReadOnly -eq $True) { Write-Error "Cannot update Windows Update settings due to GPO restrictions." }

        else {
                $Updates.NotificationLevel = 1 #Disabled
                $Updates.Save()
                $Updates.Refresh()
                Write-Output "Automatic Windows Updates disabled."
        }
}

else
{       Write-Warning "Must be executed in Administrator level shell."
        Write-Warning "Script Cancelled!" }


 

[TimStone]

Otto,

When you disable updates you then disable bug fixes and security plugs.

My concern is that apps today are not focused on terminal services, but rather on servers ( cloud and site ). I have read your posts on this topic over the past year, but personally I believe our clients are better served with server based applications.

I use ADS currently, and my clients who elect to add it to their systems never have any regrets. Its fast, secure, and totally transparent. I have yet to encounter a problem with Microsoft updates on any of the OS's with this configuration.

Its just a thought.

Tim

[TimStone]

Antonio,

There are so many options. They also provide BizSpark which gives you lots of free software for three years, but your company cannot be more than 5 years old. A programmer might want to consider starting their own new company just to build apps for the Microsoft marketplace. ( This could include FWH apps built in Visual Studio ). It would open them to a new income stream.

Tim