One of the perks of being a student is that you do tend to get a lot of discounts on software and products. However, Microsoft took it way ahead when it lunched the DreamSpark programme.
It provides no-cost access to Microsoft designer and development tools for verified students around the world, to support and advance their learning and skills through technical design, technology, math, science and engineering activities.
Bill Gates had launched this programme initially in February 2008, it has later officially launched the same in India in November 2008, and the current vision is to target even school students. It is estimated that a whopping 35 million students will be able to access these software titles free of charge through this programme. Currently Dream Spark is functional in 11 countries including India, the other being United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Spain and China.
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, has entered into an agreement with Microsoft India under this initiative; over 300,000 students from 380 affiliated engineering colleges in the State will have access to this programme.
Now the question is what exactly does the programme offer, well here you are -
- Expression Studio 3
- Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition
- Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
- SQL Server 2008 Developer Edition
- Plus a whole lot more.
Additionally, DreamSpark also offers free ebooks, up to 22 hours of free e-learning courses on Microsoft technologies and 1 free Microsoft certification exam. Most of the above is also available in your nearest NIIT, Aptech centers in a DVD Format at a nominal cost of Rs 50 only or at your nearest MTV Staff for free.
The only catch is, the software is available for personal and home use only, anything beyond that would be breaking the law and the software would expire on completion of your studies but future releases would not be available. Also not available would be the flagship titles like Office and Vista. However I guess that is okay otherwise Microsoft would not be able to earn a single penny from home users.
DreamWorks is tied up with the Sakshat programme of MHRD.
Offering platforms of interaction to students has been a continuous policy of Microsoft, be it the Highly popular Microsoft student partners programme, the highly resourceful Microsoft student lounge and pass website or the Student Tech Clubs. All this is now being supplemented with the DreamSpark Programme which targets the basic needs of Engineering and science students .
Way to go Microsoft! Readers, what’s your take on this move?
I personally tend to favour SSuite Office’s free office suites. Their software also don’t need to run on Java or .NET, like so many open source office suites, so it makes their software very small and efficient.