Microsoft Licensing

What is Software Assurance?

Software Assurance is a Microsoft 'Subscription' that allows you to get free upgrades to the next software version without having to buy another license. As of July 2002, Microsoft has stopped selling upgrade versions of software in their volume licensing plans. If you purchased bulk copies of Office XP and then Office 2003 became available, without Software Assurance you must buy another license to be able to use the new version, upgrades do not exist anymore.

Why are Open Value Licenses more expensive?

Open Value licenses come with Software Assurance, which is a special 'subscription' plan that includes free upgrade versions, special training and support programs, and even special employee take-home licenses. The initial investment for an Open value license can be more expensive because it include the license AND the 'subscription' of 3 years. But with the option to pay annually over 3 years and the lower cost of renewing your Software Assurance it totally pays off in the end.

Can the software I use at work be installed on my computer at home?

This depends on the License and the Licensing Plan that your business has with Microsoft. Open Value allows for an employee to obtain a special 'Home Copy' of the software they use at the office. This is only for software purchased within the Company Wide Option. Read more about Open Value Licensing in the Open License Article.

What is a CAL?

A CAL is a Client Access License. This type of license grants one network user permission to access a network service (such as a SQL or Exchange Server). There are also different types of CALs for each service.

What is the difference between per seat, per server, and per processor?

The Per seat licensing model refers to the total number of computers allowed to connect to the service on that machine. Each connection is called a Client Access License. In per seat mode a single CAL for each workstation can be used to access multiple servers in per Seat mode. This is usually the most economical option

In Per Server licensing, each CAL is dedicated to that specific server.

In per Processor mode, no CALs are needed to connect to the server. The right to access the server is covered by the (more expensive) Software License itself.

What is the difference between a Device CAL and a User CAL?

A Device CAL is specific to a workstation whereas a User CAL is specific to a user. For example, if you have one user connecting to a SQL server from 2 different machines, you would need 2 SQL Server Device CALs or 1 SQL Server User CAL.

What is the difference between an OEM License and a Retail License?

An OEM license allows you to use the software that came with your computer but the software can never be transferred to any other machine. Retail Licenses can be transferred provided that the software is only installed on one machine at a time. OEM licenses are typically cheaper than Retail licenses.

What is the Company Wide Option?

In the Open Value program, licenses for Microsoft Office and Windows can be purchased on an incremental basis or all at once using the Company Wide option. Company Wide gives you great discount (up to 23%!) but you are making the commitment to pay for one license for every Windows based workstation you have. Company Wide also qualifies you for Employee At Home Use and Employee Software License Purchasing Discounts.

How To Make Windows XP Faster

How to Make Windows XP Startup Faster

Do you get frustrated while you wait around for your slow Windows XP computer to startup? Windows XP will automatically load and startup any program that is in the startup folder whether you intend to use it or not. This article will show you how to speed up the bootup process of your PC by removing the programs that bog it down.

Steps

1. Save any open work.
2. Shut down all applications.
3. Click Start->Run. In the text box labeled "Open", enter msconfig and click "OK". This will start the system configuration utility. (Remember: If you disable the necessary applications from the msconfig, the computer may not start properly. Hence, while using msconfig, keep a note of the applications which you want to uncheck to start while computer starts.)
4. Click on the "Startup" tab. You will see a list of all the startup programs that get loaded automatically when you startup your computer. The more items you have checked to startup, the longer it takes for your computer to startup.
5. Restart your computer and you should notice that it starts up quicker.

Other Things You Can Do

1. Look under the "BOOT.INI" tab. You will see a box labeled "Timeout:", and a numerical value. By default, it's 30, which means 30 seconds of wait time before boot. This can be changed, and I suggest using 3 seconds. (Note: if you have more than one operating system, this means the wait time to startup to the highlighted OS. you might want a bit more than 3 seconds)
2. Delete the temporary files periodically from your computer to make the applications run faster. type %Temp% in the run dialog box by clicking on start -> run. and click on. You will see an open folder with so many files. click on Edit menu and click on Select all and then click on the File menu and select Delete. Note: Always confirm that the folder which is opened has a temp on the top of menu bar and the folder indicates that it is a temporary folder.
3. Always perform a disk defragmentation at least once in a month. start the disk defragmentation from the system tools available in the accessories from the start menu. it takes a longer time and it is advised not to run any applications in the computer including the screen savers, while running disk defragmentation.
4. Perform a scandisk to see that your computer hard drive is in healthy condition and it helps your computer run faster.

Hibernation

After you have done all this, another method you can do is to allow the computer to hibernate. Hibernation closes and opens Windows faster than normally.

1. Go to Start->Control Panel->Power Options. Click on the Hibernate tab.
2. Click on the box that says "Enable hibernation" to check it.
3. Click on the Advanced tab and change the Power buttons options if you want to hibernate by pressing the sleep button or the power button. Otherwise, holding the Shift key while in the Turn Off Computer menu will give you the option to hibernate.
4. Restart your computer every week or so to clear your computer.

The power can then be completely turned off, even at the socket so that no power is wasted.

GOLF TIP

I see some golfers that strike their iron shots fat and thin frequently, but who almost never contact them solidly. Well, that doesn't seem like any fun. As an experiment, try hitting iron shots with as low a trajectory as you possibly can (without moving the ball back in your stance!). This will promote a hands-forward position at impact, which is an important sensation to cultivate. In fact irons are made to be contacted in a hands-forward position