Proposal on Microsoft DreamSpark Benefits & How to get connected By CCSIT October 2013 College of Computer Science & Information Technology (CCSIT) King Faisal University 1
Table of Contents: What is Microsoft DreamSpark.. 3 What s the difference between the Microsoft software on DreamSpark and the Microsoft products I can buy in the store 4 What Software, tools and Apps are available under this umbrella.4 Developers and Design Tools.6 Servers and Applications...11 Training and Certification..13 Application or Apps Catalog.13 How do I get DreamSpark Software as a Student.15 What I need to provide to our college representative when I contact him 15 How I will activate my account after getting activation code...16 How long my account will remain active..18 Sample Application Form.19 2
What is Microsoft DreamSpark? DreamSpark is a Microsoft Program that supports technical education by providing access to Microsoft software for learning, teaching and research purposes. DreamSpark is simple: it's all about giving students Microsoft professional-level developer and designer tools at no cost so that students can chase their dreams and create the next big breakthrough in technology - or just get a head start on their career. DreamSpark supports technical education by providing access to Microsoft software for learning, teaching and research purposes. Figure 1: Microsoft DreamSpark home page. DreamSpark helps educators teach the latest technologies and experiment in research. Microsoft knows that to make learning more motivating, relevant, and engaging for today's students requires a diverse set of resources. DreamSpark gives educators the resources to ensure their classrooms always have the latest technologies to challenges, motivate, and keep students engaged in new ways. 3
So as a Student, DreamSpark gives you the chance to develop world-class software, Web applications, cool and creative designs as well as amazing games. Microsoft believes that students can do amazing things if they only have the right tools. What s the difference between the Microsoft software on DreamSpark and the Microsoft products I can buy in the store? Nothing! DreamSpark offers the same completely loaded Microsoft software that professional developers pay good cash to purchase. However, through DreamSpark, Microsoft is providing this software directly to students like you at no charge, to advance your learning and skills through technical design, technology, math, science and engineering activities. Microsoft want to give you the chance to explore the software tools used in business today to help prepare you to be a member of the next generation of developers. What Software, tools and Apps are available under this umbrella? Microsoft DreamSpark contains a rich collection of different software, tools and applications under this umbrella, further can be classified into two major categories, such as software and tools and Application Catalog. A. Software and tools B. Applications or Apps Catalog A. Software and tools: Software and tools section can be further sub divided into following three main areas, where student can get access free of cost of activating his\her account with Microsoft DreamSpark through College of Computer Science and Information Technology (CCSIT). 4
1. Developers and Design Tools 2. Servers and Applications 3. Training and Certification B. Applications or Apps Catalog: Application or Apps Catalog further contains Apps development tools with Windows 8 and also for different Phone applications besides of a range of games. It be categorized as under, and CCSIT student will be able to access it after activating their account with Microsoft DreamSpark through college. 1. Windows 8 2. Windows Phones 3. Indie Games A. Software and tools: The detail description for software, which comes under this category is as with following section. 1. Developers and Design Tools: Under this umbrella a vast range of design tools are available for free to students, they can access those tools and can bring wonder in their student life. The list of those tools is as under: 5
Table no 1.1: Developers and Design Tools S. Number Name of Tool Detail with Snapshot 1 Visual Studio 2012 Professional 2 Visual Studio 2010 Professional 3 Visual Studio 2012 Express for Web 4 Visual Studio 2012 Express for Windows 8 6
5 Microsoft Expression Studio 4 Ultimate 6 Kinect for Windows SDK 7 Game Studio 4 8 Kodu Game Lab 7
9 Small Basic 10 Microsoft Mathematics 4 11 Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 12 Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition 8
13 Windows Multipoint Mouse SDK 14 Windows Embedded CE 6.0 15 Windows Embedded Standard 7 16 Visual Studio Light Switch 2011 9
17 Visual Studio 2010 Express Edition 18 Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008 19 Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008 20 Visual C# 2008 Express Edition 10
21 Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition 22 Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition 2. Servers and Applications: Under the umbrella of Server and applications a vast range of server and applications are available for free to students, they can access those after activating their accounts through College of Computer Science and Information Technology CCSIT, and can bring wonders in their daily life. The list of those Servers and applications as under: Table no 1.2: Server and Applications S. Number Name of Server and Application Detail with Bitmap 1 Windows Server 2012 11
2 SQL Server 2012 3 Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard 4 Windows Server 2008 Standard 5 SQL Server 2008 R2 Developer 6 Windows Virtual PC 2007 12
7 SQL Server 2008 Express Edition 3. Training and Certification: Currently training and certification provides access to Plural sight. Which is to be known a best source of student training and certification. The detail of the tool is as under: Table no 1.3: Training and Certification S. Number Name Detail with Snap 1 Plural sight On Demand B. Application or Apps Catalog: The detail description for Application or Apps Catalog is available with following section. 1. Windows 8 2. Windows Phones 3. Indie Games 13
1. Windows 8: Windows 8 launches a world of opportunity for student developers. It is Windows made faster, more fluid and responsive to touch. And it puts apps and active live tiles at everyone s fingertips. Students can be a first mover in this amazing app revolution, and build Windows 8 apps that could launch their career. Three steps are required to students to build windows 8 app such as, a. Get your dev tools: Download the software and tools you need at DreamSpark.com. It s free for students. it s easy to do b. Build and test your app We ll point you to instructive videos, hands-on labs, sample code and more. c. Publish your app Your app will be available to millions of people at the Windows Store. For further details please visit: https://www.dreamspark.com/student/windows-8-app-development.aspx 2. windows & Phone app development: Have you always wanted to build a mobile app? Now you can. With DreamSpark you can get the same tools as professional developers and designers AND sell your mobile apps and make money! With DreamSpark, students can get registered into the Windows Phone Dev Center for free, saving you the $99 registration fee, and can submit your first 100 applications for free. For further details please visit: https://www.dreamspark.com/student/windows-phone-8-app-development.aspx 14
3. Xbox Indie Games: By joining the Xbox LIVE Indie Games program, students have the opportunity to showcase your game to millions of Xbox LIVE subscribers. And, as a member of DreamSpark, you save the $99 annual registration fee and get access to the tools, sample code, community support and educational resources to help you develop your games for Xbox 360 for free. For further details please visit: https://www.dreamspark.com/student/xbox-game-development.aspx How do I get DreamSpark Software as a Student? As a student you can access all mentioned resources, if your college/ University has a subscription. We as College of Computer Science & Information Technology CCSIT are pleased to announce that your college has subscription with Microsoft DreamSpark and you being our student can get free access for it, by contacting college representative. What I need to provide to our college representative when I contact him? You need to follow following steps and provide your information to college representative. 1. You are required to visit our college website with following link, http://www.kfu.edu.sa/en/colleges/computer_science/pages/home.aspx 2. Download the application form having title : Microsoft DreamSpark request. 3. Fill up the form and forward it to mentioned email address on it. 4. You will be able to get your account activation code within 24 hours 15
How I will activate my account after getting activation code? After getting your code kindly visit to following link. https://www.dreamspark.com/account/createaccount.aspx Figure 2: To Create Account. 16
After completing your required information by providing your Microsoft Hotmail email address, language choice, country region and password details system will redirect you for code verification screen with following link as shown below. https://www.msacademicverify.com/ave/verify/default.aspx Figure 3: To Activate Account through Activation Code. 17
Kindly choose last option for you I have verification code, by choosing this option he will ask for verification or activation code. Enter your activation code which you already received from your college representative through email. After verifying the code system will guide you with following link having login details as shown in following figure. https://www.dreamspark.com/account/signin.aspx Figure 4: Login Screen. Simply sign in after activating your account details and download software through this website at no cost, and enjoy your development. How long my account will remain active? As an student your account will remain active for one year from the date of activation. In case if you are not a final year student then you can request again to your college representative for new activation code by filling up same application form and you will be able to get access for one more year. 18
Sample Application Form: Microsoft DreamSpark Application Form Student Name Student Snapshot University ID Email Address Semester Contact Number Major Date of Birth Date Signature For Office User Only Microsoft DreamSpark Membership Number Activation Code Assigned Date Remarks Signature 19