Visual Studio Licensing - Down grade rights

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GF74

85 posts

Master Geek

# 82398 28-Apr-2011 15:02

I current develop in VS2008 Std and have, in the past, used VS2005 for windows mobile development. I would like to move to developing the mobile application in .net35 so I need to get hold of VS2008 Pro (VS2010 does not allow development in WinMobile, just WinPhone). Unfortunately there is no upgrade/cross grade path from 2008 Std -> 2008 Pro and I can see no point in buying the product outright. So, with all this in mind, I can see the only option would be to purchase VS2010 Pro and use my downgrade rights to install and use VS2008 Pro.

Now I understand that MS licensing allows me to do this, but the acquisition of the media and product key are another story. Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

GF

TwoSeven

1401 posts

Uber Geek

# 463458 28-Apr-2011 17:58

Out of interest why the pro version? Does it offer something for mobile development that standard edition does not?

Software Engineer

GF74

85 posts

Master Geek

# 463580 29-Apr-2011 07:40

For VS2008, only the Pro version includes the option of Windows Mobile development.

GF

Ragnor

8035 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 463639 29-Apr-2011 10:10

I would sign up for MS WebsiteSpark, this currently gives you VS 2008 Pro, VS2010 Pro, Windows 2008 Server Web R2, SQL Server 2008 R2 Web for nothing for development for three years (and some production licenses for Windows Server and SQL Server too).

The requirements are easy to meet imo

http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2009/09/24/announcing-the-websitespark-program.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark

GF74

85 posts

Master Geek

# 463648 29-Apr-2011 10:37

Webspark is a good idea, but due to the size of the company where I am employed we do not qualify.

GF

Ragnor

8035 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 464061 1-May-2011 02:46

Hmm a larger company and you guys are using MS tools for development and don't have a MSDN subscription? That's kind of odd.

Pretty sure a MSDN Pro sub includes access to all the pro versions of VS: .NET, 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2010

VS 2010 MSDN Pro for 3 years is ~$3k (~$1k per year)
http://www.getvs.net.nz/store/browse/microsoft

You might even quality for upgrade pricing which is typically quite a bit cheaper.

GF74

85 posts

Master Geek

# 464358 2-May-2011 07:56

A larger company that does not do development as a matter of course. I am essentially a one-man band doing a development job for a larger client.

GF