Microsoft Corp. has begun offering free software licensing for "cold servers" or networking computers that are kept off until they are needed, the world's largest software maker said on Friday. The new feature, part of Microsoft's Software Assurance licensing program, was introduced earlier this week as part of an effort to add more benefits to the licensing program, a Microsoft spokesman said.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft began offering customers its Software Assurance licensing program several years ago as a way for companies to be able to pay for software over time, rather than pay for costly upgrades, and also receive technical support services. But facing competition from Linux, the operating system that can be copied and modified freely, Microsoft has started new incentives for customers as a good chunk of contracts come up for renewal this year. Linux is popular among businesses seeking cheaper ways to set up corporate server networks.

News source: Reuters

UltraISO supports more than 27 data CD image formats, including BlinkWrite (*.BWI/*.BWT), CDSpace (*.LCD), CDRWin (*.BIN/*.CUE), CloneCD (*.IMG/*.CCD), DiscJuggler (*.CDI), Duplicator (*.TAO/*.DAO), Easy CD Creator(*.CIF), Fantom CD (*.MDF/*.MDS), Farstone Virtual Drive (*.VCD), Gear (*.p01/*.md1/*.xa), Instant Copy (*.pdi), Nero - Burning ROM (*.NRG), Noum Vapor CDROM (*.VaporCD), NTI CD-Maker (*.NCD), Prassi (*.GCD/*.GI), VCDROM Extension (*.FCD), Virtual CD (*.VC4/ *.000), Virtuo CD Manager (*.VDI), WinOnCD (*.C2D).

It can handle DVD image up to 10GB, and open Audio CD image(.NRG), Video CD image, or disk image(.IMA) as well.


There are 10 additional comments
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Quote this comment Reply to this comment #1 Posted by Mav Phoenix on 06 Jun 2004 - 03:25
That's nice.
(3 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #2 Posted by Starcom826 on 06 Jun 2004 - 03:27
Why can't they just make their software cheaper instead of coming up with all these alternative ways like vouchers, student/teacher editions, licensing exceptions, etc.
Quote this comment #2.1 Posted by Mattimeo on 06 Jun 2004 - 03:52
Ever thought how much time and money goes into this software?
Quote this comment #2.2 Posted by Starcom826 on 06 Jun 2004 - 03:59
Yep, not nearly as much as the income.
Quote this comment #2.3 Posted by chacho on 06 Jun 2004 - 15:50
their software should realistically cost more if you consider the amount of work that goes into them...people complain about xp being so expensive, when MS could justify pricing it much higher
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #3 Posted by sumeet on 06 Jun 2004 - 03:36
what the crap??? Microsoft is nice??!?!? im afraid, someone hold me :'(
Quote this comment #3.1 Posted by McGazza on 06 Jun 2004 - 12:14
QUOTE
Microsoft is nice??!?!? im afraid, someone hold me :'(

Dont count on it
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #4 Posted by werejag on 06 Jun 2004 - 04:26
QUOTE
yeah the first one is free then we make you pay
local drug dealer
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #5 Posted by kyro on 06 Jun 2004 - 10:26
So how do i apply for free Windows 2003 for my cold network computer?
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #6 Posted by Glen on 06 Jun 2004 - 15:20
This is a good move on their part to stay in the market. Several organizations have backup servers, and it doesn't make sense to pay for an extra license on a box that will only become active when your other server boxes are offline. This model of "install on many, but only use one" should save many companies alot of money.
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