Windows for Developers?
Unfortunately, in order to do some BlackBerry hacking, it looks like I need a copy of MS Windows, to run under some sort of virtualization software. It's possible to get most of the bits and pieces sort of working under Linux, but I don't want to spend too much time fiddling; I'd rather spend it hacking.
To be brief and to the point: anyone out there know if there are deals for developers, open source or otherwise, to buy a legitimate copy of Windows? It'd sure be easy to just download it, but I believe in respecting other developers' licenses just as I want them to respect mine.
However, if I could save a few bucks and spend them on my daughter Helen, instead of Mr. Gates and company, I sure wouldn't mind. Any ideas?
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about 1 hour later:
Well, if you are a student, you should be able to get some copy through MSDNAA (the academic version of MSDN). If not, you'll have to spend your bucks on that OS, or find someone who has a Dekstop/Laptop which came with Windows but is using Linux on it, so you could use his/her license.
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Students get it free from https://www.dreamspark.com
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You may consider using Virtual PC images with XP or Vista, provided by Microsoft for testing websites with different Internet Explorer versions. It's not their original intention, but I've read you can run these disk images on VirtualBox or VMWare.
http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=21eabb90-958f-4b64-b5f1-73d0a413c8ef&displaylang=en
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Windows 7 is free for a while:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx
Works well under KVM.
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Windows 7 is free for a while:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx
Works well under KVM.
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You can try the release candidate for Windows 7. Its free to download for another week. It will self destruct next year.
Go here: http://www.microsoft.com:80/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx
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http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/try-it.aspx
Evaluate Windows Server 2008 free for 60 days (extendable to 240 days).
KVM is willing to run it (click on "Guest Support Status" link on left): http://www.linux-kvm.org/
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Is your daughter Helen your first born child? I've heard that the Windows EULA states that if you use Microsoft software, you have to sign over your first born child to them! :-)
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Go to Newegg.com and buy a copy.
There isn't anything else you can do unless you want to be a 'student'.
The 'OEM' license is around $90. Technically it's against the license to do what you want with it. The OEM license is intended to be sold bundled with a PC if your a builder. It's non-transferable and all that.
But most people just buy OEM and Microsoft doesn't seem to give a shit.
To be 100% legit for what you want to do you have to purchase the 'Retail' license. $174 dollars for XP.
For Vista development you need to purchase the 'Ultimate' or 'Business' editions if you want to run them in a "Virtual Machine". The other versions of Vista have restrictions on being able to do that. The 'Ultimate' license is a steal with just $213.
Plus you get all those codecs and other media licensing stuff that goes with media center! (what a deal) :/
Good luck with that one.
Remember: If Linux is only free if you time is worthless... Then Windows is only $180 if your time is worthless.
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Alternatively, you could spend the cost of a Windows license buying a device more suitable for hacking. :)
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XP: http://www.rlslog.net/microsoft-windows-xp-professional-sp3-integrated-august-2009-corporate-up2date/
Win 7: http://www.rlslog.net/microsoft-windows-7-ultimate-x64-multilanguage-up2date/