MSDN Subscriptions News
With the worldwide launch of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office System now behind us, we’re now focused on making the remaining language versions available to you as soon as possible after each successive group releases to manufacturing. Release activity will continue for the next few months, so if you haven’t seen your favorite language version available yet, rest assured that it’s coming soon.
We’re also busy looking ahead into what’s coming and planning for the next big thing. We’re anticipating another Windows Server Longhorn beta in the not too distant future, as well as new updated Windows Server releases and additional CTPs as we get closer to the Visual Studio “Orcas” launch.
In addition to the release activity mentioned above, I wanted to bring you up to date on a few other items:
Exchange Server 2007
As many of you are aware, Exchange Server 2007 was recently released in 11 languages and is currently available to MSDN Subscribers on MSDN Subscriber Downloads. For subscribers receiving media shipments, Exchange Server 2007 is scheduled to arrive within the next month. Note that Exchange Server 2007 is currently only available as 64-bit software.
Expression Web
I’ve received a number of inquiries on the availability of Expression Web within MSDN Subscriptions and have mixed news for you. SharePoint Designer is the updated replacement for Office FrontPage within MSDN Subscriptions and provides much of the same functionality as Expression Web, including additional features for modifying and creating SharePoint sites as well. While Expression Web is not being offered directly, MSDN subscribers qualify for a $99 upgrade (ERP) by virtue of having Office FrontPage as part of their MSDN Subscription benefits. Further plans for Expression products will be announced at Mix ‘07 on April 30, 2007.
Windows Vista Enterprise Edition
For those of you with MSDN Subscriptions purchased outside of our Volume Licensing programs, we understand and appreciate the concern you’ve had over access to Windows Vista Enterprise Edition to further your development and testing efforts. We’re pleased to announce that we will be making Windows Vista Enterprise Edition available to all active MSDN Subscribers (Operating Systems level and above) in the near future. Watch the product keys page within MSDN Subscriber Downloads for availability.
Best regards,
Seth Adams
Program Manager, MSDN Subscriptions