The University of Arizona

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MSDN Academic Alliance

The Department of Computer Science at the University of Arizona has an agreement with Microsoft Corporation that makes development software available to CS students and academic staff at the University of Arizona, main campus, at little or no cost.  The program is called MSDN Academic Alliance (MSDNAA).

Students: in order to participate in this program, you must be taking at least one Computer Science class (for credit) in the semester for which you request access.

If you are interested, go to the Services web page and select Request an MSDNAA ELMS account. An account will be created for you and you will receive email with the details.

The MSDNAA Academic Alliance Software Center is a software distribution web site that we have tailored to our department.

  1. The URL is http://msdnaa.cs.arizona.edu.
  2. Because of Microsoft's requirement that students be taking at least one CS class to be eligible for the software, an MSDNAA account is only active for one semester and only during the semester, not during breaks. You must be registered for your CS class before an MSDNAA account can be created. Note that you can request an MSDNAA account for each semester in which you are taking at least one CS class.
  3. An email will be sent to your UA email address from kivuto.com (formerly e-academy.com) with the information about your MSDNAA account. If you haven't received an email within a week of your request, email msdnaa-elms*.
  4. To login, go to the URL, click on the Log In button, enter your email address (as your username) and password sent to you by kivuto.
  5. If you have forgotten your password (or missed the email containing it) go to the URL, click on the Log In button, and click on the Forgot your password? link.
  6. To find out what software is available, log on and click the Software tab at the upper left. There is a Product Search available at the top right of the page.
  7. Available software can be downloaded for free. Some applications can be ordered on CD for a nominal fee. You can download or order each available software package once.
  8. When you click to download a product, a small executable file is quickly downloaded. Double click on that file to start the download of the product.
  9. Don't forget to print out the page that gives the Serial Number; you will need that when you install the product.
  10. Note that downloadable items labeled ISO image are CD images and should be burned onto a CD for use.
  11. It is strongly recommended that you burn downloaded software to CD for safe keeping, in case your hard drive fails or you get a new computer.
  12. A full description of the program and membership can be found here.

The usage guidelines provided by MSDNAA include:

  1. Students - you must be registered in at least one for-credit course in the CS department to be eligible to load program software on your personal computer.
  2. For certain products, you may be given a product key for installing the software. You may not disclose the product key to anyone else.
  3. You may not give copies of MSDNAA software to anyone else. Other eligible students must obtain software using the method set up by the CS department.
  4. You may use the software for non-commercial purposes including instructional use, research and/or design, and development and testing of projects for class assignments, tests, or personal projects. You may not use MSDNAA software for any for-profit software development.
  5. When you are no longer taking courses in the CS department, you may no longer obtain MSDNAA software. However, you may continue to use previously installed products on your computer, provided you continue to follow MSDNAA program guidelines.

Last updated August 14, 2012 , by Tom Lowry
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