I know the title of this article could be taken in many different ways (Not all of which would be legal), but this story is not about any of those.  Microsoft is lending a hand to students, by offering a number of their software products for what I can only call “A Steal”. Its kind of strange why Microsoft, with all its efforts to fight piracy, would call anything to do with their software “steal” but that’s why I’m a geek and not in marketing!

Using the following Microsoft link http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default NULL.aspx) students can purchase any of the following

Microsoft Office Ultimate Edition 2007 – $59.95

Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade (Note that this one is the Upgrade) – $64.95

Microsoft Visio Professional 2007 – $55.95

In all 3 cases that’s over 90% off the normal price.  Of course they have some rules as to who can buy the software at those prices (Complete rules can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/terms.aspx (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/terms NULL.aspx)) but from what I can see if you have an email address that ends in .EDU then you are pretty much covered (That’s my opinion, as always I suggest that each person check the rules themselves, your interpretation could be different than mine.) There are additional options for students who do not have the .EDU email, from the Microsoft website:

——————————————————————————————————–

Promotion Eligibility:
This offer is good only to eligible students who attend an educational institution geographically located in the United States. This offer is non-transferable. One of each product may be purchased per eligible student (but not required).
The following conditions serve to define student eligibility for the Promotion:

1. .edu: Individual must possess a valid e-mail address at a U.S. educational institution which contains the domain suffix .edu; OR
Pre-Approved School List: Enrolled in a U.S. educational institution included on the pre-approved school list (http://store NULL.digitalriver NULL.com/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=ContentTheme&Env=BASE&Locale=en_US&SiteID=msshus&pbPage=schools); OR
Submission of school enrollment: Submit verifiable school enrollment via the validation process (http://ms NULL.bluehornet NULL.com/surveys/submit_my_id/en_us); AND
2. Individual must be a student at a U.S. educational institution and must be actively enrolled in at least 0.5 course credit and be able to provide proof of enrollment upon request.

Microsoft or an appointed vendor may contact you to verify that you are a current student. If documentation is not provided indicating that you are a current student, you will be liable to reimburse Microsoft for the difference between what you paid and the estimated retail price of the software.
Microsoft, in their sole discretion, may accept other forms of validation to determine eligibility in lieu of a valid e-mail address when one is not available.

——————————————————————————————————–

Last thought: You may have a few hoops to jump thru but for any student (especially “starving students”), this may be the best “legal” way of getting the latest Microsoft has to offer.

*This offer comes from Microsoft any and all information is based on information found on the Microsoft website.  I have no control of any part of this offer, I’m simply informing of the offer.