If you are a software developer and still want to sign up for Microsoft"s TechNet service, today is the last day to do so. As we have previously reported, Microsoft will cut off new or renewed subscriptions to TechNet after today, and those subscriptions have to be activated by September 30th.
Microsoft has offered the details on why it has decided to make this move via an FAQ page on the TechNet site, saying:
Microsoft is retiring the TechNet Subscriptions service to focus on growing its free offerings, including evaluation resources through the TechNet Evaluation Center, expert-led learning through the Microsoft Virtual Academy, and community-moderated technical support through the TechNet Forums to better meet the needs of the growing IT professional community.
The decision has not been a popular one among many software developers and an online petition to keep TechNet going has now exceeded 10,000 signatures. Microsoft has chosen not to comment on the petition efforts and it would appear that the company will continue with its plans to retire TechNet.
Microsoft has said that it will honor currently active TechNet subscriptions until they expire. The TechNet benefits portal and the subscriber downloads page will shut down for non-Volume Licensing subscribers on September 30th, 2014.
Source: Microsoft | Image via Microsoft