Apple and Microsoft Dev Programs

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I've previously enrolled in Apple's pay developer program, Select, as detailed at http://developer.apple.com/products/select.html . It provides access to releases versions of all standard (although not enterprise or protools) system software (effectively Mac OS X and Server) as well as beta access to all sorts of things, and a hardware discount voucher good for one computer purchase (although not an iPhone last I checked). The pay program also include some pre-paid code-level support incidents. Software is downloadable from fast server and major releases are mailed out on DVD along with monthly and quarterly update DVDs. This is $499 USD per annum and renewals are full price. With their release cycles renewal has never been worth it.

Microsoft's Tech Net Plus Direct subscription ( https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/add/bb892756.aspx ) provides access to release versions and keys of standard system software, server tools, and office productivity applications and streamlined access to beta and RC-grade software. In their words, "Full-version evaluation software without time limits". It includes technical support incidents as well, although no hardware discount is included. Software is downloadable from fast download servers or can be mailed out for an additional fee ($599/449 renewal). This is $349 USD per annum and renewals are 249.

Keeping in mind that in all cases this software is only licensed for evaluation, doesn't it seem like Microsoft is offering a much better deal? If you actually had to license even the basic OS platforms just to evaluate, test, learn on them: Mac OS X Server (50 user) is $499 itself, Windows Server starts at $999 with five CALs and on the other side Mac OS X client is $149, and Vista (client) starts at $129 (Home Premium) / Ultimate $199. And I'm pretty sure MS is saying SQL Server, Office and other rather popular items are included, which could add up to another $5,000 USD that no one would ever spend for this. Apples full dev tool suite is a free download Still, food for thought.

And yes, all considerations of Windows operating systems are primarily for playing games, followed in priority by learning Windows Server, and then testing cross-platform code on Windows.

Comments

[kata-kita.livejournal.com]

A long-time MSDN consumer, and it is all that and a bag of chips -- all the tools, OS variations, etc. A well-fed developer base is instrumental to market dominance, and that's the one thing they've always pursued with precision and zeal. It's also kind of nutty (to me) to think in this day and age anybody seeking to grow or protect their market share imagine their dev tools are worth anything at all -- dev tools, good docs, etc. are just vectors to the real deal (product license and support sales).

Apple prolly regards their business as BMW or Merc does, however. Those vendors aren't after market dominance...why would they be? Cutting prices and quality, for example, to move volume against Asian builders? Nutty, when they can be a very successful company *not* trying to rule the world. That's a real operational theory, BTW -- an oft-cited, allegorical stat is toasters. There was a point in GE's history where they controlled 100% of the global market in electric toasters, for various reasons. The year they achieved this that same manufacturing division lost US$100m.

So...their stinginess with their dev tool licensing probably reflects a tacit acceptance of Apple's own place in the industry, pricing them to bring just the right number of new folks into the fold to meet their objects, but not too many.