MSDN™ subscriptions make it easier to take advantage of the latest Microsoft tools and technologies. With the flexibility of tailored subscription levels and the convenience of timely updates delivered throughout the year, an MSDN subscription is essential for every developer.
The subscription basics are included here. For more information, consult the MSDN Subscriptions Web site at http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/.
Library Subscription
Professional Subscription
Universal Subscription
Comprehensive Index to MSDN Subscriptions
Instant access to an encyclopedic collection of information is the key to the MSDN Library subscription. The MSDN Library delivers all the information you need to program for the Microsoft® Windows® and Windows NT® operating systems and to create applications with Microsoft Office and BackOffice®. The Library includes a wide variety of technical articles, sample code, product documentation, the Microsoft Knowledge Base, select content from third-party periodicals, and Microsoft Press® books.
Library subscribers receive four quarterly editions in January, April, July, and October.
Choose the Library Subscription if:
A good place to get acquainted with the Library is the liner-notes booklet included with every quarterly edition. Here you'll find information on how to install the Library, how to get online Help, and how to get technical support.
You can find information in the Library in three basic ways: browsing the table of contents (the Contents tab), using full-text queries to locate specific information (the Search tab), and using the Index tab to look up information on functions, messages, and structures. One of the quickest ways to learn how to use the Library is to read the topics in MSDN Library Help, which is located under the Welcome to the MSDN Library topic in the table of contents. MSDN Library Help explains how to use the MSDN Library viewer, how to locate information in the Library, how to perform common tasks, and how to install and uninstall the viewer.
The Professional Subscription goes beyond documentation and provides the latest Microsoft platform technology. In addition to the quarterly Library, all Professional subscribers receive a complete set of the latest versions of the Windows 98 and Windows 2000 (Professional and Server) operating systems, as well as software development kits (SDKs) and device driver kits (DDKs). We call this component the "Development Platform," and it is updated throughout the year via scheduled monthly shipments. In addition, you will receive two (2) Professional Support for Developers support incidents for use in a test and development environment. Choose the Professional Subscription if:
The Universal Subscription was created especially for developing and testing Microsoft Office and BackOffice–based solutions. In addition to delivering the benefits of the Professional Subscription, the Universal Subscription includes Microsoft Visual Studio® 6.0, Enterprise Edition, the BackOffice Test Platform (see Note 1), and the Office Test Platform (including Microsoft Office 2000 Developer, Microsoft FrontPage®, Microsoft Project, and more), and updates delivered on a monthly basis. In addition, MSDN Universal subscribers will receive four (4) Professional Support for Developers support incidents for use in a test and development environment.
Please note that Universal subscribers will receive Windows-based versions of Microsoft visual tools for the Intel® and RISC platforms only. (Macintosh®, and other versions of the visual tools, must be acquired separately.) Universal subscribers also receive select beta versions of the visual tools.
Note 1 BackOffice server components include a special 10-connection limitation.
Choose the Universal Subscription if:
To help you find the software you need in your subscription, we have created an index that lists the contents of all MSDN discs. This index is located in the \INDEX folder on Development Platform, English Pack Disc #1. Because Disc #1 is not updated in all shipments, the most current index can also be found on our Web site: http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/index/.
Please note that the index lists all discs in all packs. What you actually receive depends on your subscription level, pack selection, and geographic location. For more information please visit the online index or contact MSDN Customer Service.
For information about the MSDN licensing agreement, please see "MSDN Subscription Licensing."
For information on how to subscribe to MSDN, please see "How to Subscribe to MSDN."