Like many of you, I have an MSDN subscription. Each month, I get a goodie box from Microsoft with my updated DVDs. It used to be a mountain of CDs but I now get the DVD version which is a small pile.
Most of the time (again, like most people), I download what I need off the MSDN subscriber section. With a good connection, it is no big deal. When a new version of something is released, you can usually find it on the web site faster vs. waiting for the monthly DVD refresh.
All good. Product is well done, useful, and I'm satisfied.
Along comes a friendly note from the MSDN folks "Introducing" the "new" online subscriptions, telling me about the great benefits of dropping the DVD shipments and going to just online delivery.
The most important/lead benefit?
- Reclaim shelf space - online media saves you the time and effort of organizing hundreds of disks a year
Next up was the point most MSDN subscribers know, online gets you stuff faster. The final point was to reduce the number of unwanted CDs/DVDs being produced.
The price reduction for online only? Uh, none. Remember, this is good for my shelf space!
This isn't a complaint that MSDN can significantly reduce their costs by going online only while not passing some savings onto me. This isn't a debate on the exchange of costs (duplication vs. bandwidth) either.
This is an observation on the pitch and corporate-speak. Personally, I would have been fine with a 'go green pitch' with as little as a free month extended onto my subscription. Or just ask me with a straight up, do you need all these DVDS?
MSFT instead chose a version of SPIN (IT'S NEW!) in an attempt to convince me this is some great new program worked on tirelessly by the fine folks in Redmond just looking out for my best interests. Right.
The lesson for you? Just be straight up and/or bribe me instead of telling me that what's good for me is actually much better for you.
Anyone wanting the full email, contact me and I'll send it along.
So true!
At least they didn't say "For your convenience and safety..." :-)
Posted by: Michael Geary | June 11, 2007 at 11:48
Funny part is that if you surveyed developers shelve/cubicle space might actually be a major concern. I remember getting those MSDN packages some months and the mail guy would have to bring out his trolley...
Posted by: Colin Smillie | June 12, 2007 at 19:52
Looks like nothing's changed in the last twelve months. What was Microsoft's spin on Windows Genuine Advantage again? "Customers have been crying out for a tool which could tell them if they have been duped," wasn't it?
Posted by: Marcus | June 13, 2007 at 05:46