Hi there
the whole point of this is surely TechNet needs to be of some use -- and remember some updates and official Ms downloads only work if the software is actually activated.
I almost never have activated an MSDN copy of any software that I have tested on. In fact, with most servers that I roll out to our company, I install without activation and turn over to developers and such and ensure that all is well before I burn an activation key. Then I set a reminder for about 2 weeks out to ensure that the server is going to continue to be used and then I activate it.
If you are limited to a single machine (I often try out stuff on 5 or 6 different computers) you can then surely download a normal TRIAL version from Ms anyway -- so why bother with a TechNet subscription anyway.
Well, that's a good point. If the only thing you need is the OS, you could just use the trial versions of the software. With technet, you get a ton more software, so it all depends upon what you are testing.
Also an ENTERPRISE version of the software in any case is going to be used on widely different machines so limiting it to 1 makes NO sense whatsoever.
Many companies standardize on a limited number of desktops. Also, the majority of OS testing is to ensure that the software works with internal company software and processes. These don't typically change or aren't impacted in any way whether it's an HP, Dell or Model 1 or Model 2.
Most business enterprises do not have Technet subscripts to test with anyway. We either use our Volume License software or our MSDN copies. And during all testing, they simply aren't activated.
My company doesn't own a single subscription to Technet. But we have over 30 copies of MSDN with Visual Studio Ultimate. I think those are like $12,000 each. So, nearly $350,000 for that with renewals of nearly $4,000 a year for a yearly cost of $120,000 a year.
I still don't see the reason that eval software would have to be activated. I think it's more the nature that a home consumer simply wants to use their Technet subscription as a cheap mechanism to license all of their own personal computers. And as I've said, that's not the purpose of Technet. Never was.