I'm a college student, and I think you guys are doing a great job of helping us out.  The student discounts, free programs/subscriptions, etc. are extremely useful.

@MasterDevwi

I think Microsoft already does a great job helping students out, with discounted software, student-oriented bundles, and classes/training.

@KevlarGibs

I think that Microsoft does a great job helping students out.. The dicount programs are fabulous.

Twitter: @ilRadd

Good job with the low cost software. Continue to raise OneNote awareness and most importantly, bring back Courier!

@dynawing

I think you are doing a great job, that said I think more scholarships and programs to assist people in the lower to middle income categories. Most of all I think its just up to parenting and encouragement and I don't know that you guys can help out with those aspects.

Improving (or creating) a student laptop deployment plan for One-to-One initiatives in schools. Apple is making headway into this vertical and Microsoft has no official competitive plan. Of course, working with a hardware OEM is crucial (use HP, Dell, Thinix, whatever). Making it as easy as possible for staff and administrators to choose Microsoft over Apple will ensure students don't get stuck in Mac-land, causing them to suffer once they reach the workforce (real world).

beemer at live.com

The discounts offered to students are great!!! You are practically giving thema  pc for cheap!!

When I was a student, I was always grateful for low cost and free software to use in my learning process. Microsoft has always been great with that! i think the more Microsoft reaches out to teachers as well, the better the learning process will be for everyone.

Definetly doing a great job.  Perhaps discount the full Windows 7 install for students.  Also have Laptop manufactors offer a free Zune HD for their laptops.  

@segadc

The discounts offered to students are great!!! You are practically giving thema  pc for cheap!!

re-entering  because forgot to add:

@corwinamber

I think that discounted software is useful. Also, I have taken advantage of free software via MSDNAA, which is awesome.

One thing I think could be said about these student programs is that they should maybe be smarter. for example:

Students almost always buy PCs that have "home premium" versions on them. (vista home premium for me)

Students get discounted or free versions of the Professional versions. (Windows 7 Professional)

Students cannot upgrade between the versions.

Just a thought.

@larspassic

I think Microsoft already does a pretty good job with providing software to students, but I'd like to see more free software offered through Dreamspark or MSDNAA. I never understood how the one program that we all need in college (Microdoft Office) wasn't offered through the MSDNAA program. Additionally, MSDNAA availability and product offerings vary greatly from school to school. I think it should be more standard.

@brendan_walker

I do think the low cost software is a fantastic way to help people out.  More free online training would always be nice though.

@vedichymn

The Microsoft discount programs are great for learning the ins and outs of software on a student's budget. That's huge.

But if I were to offer a way to do even more for students, I'd probably start with some kind of ambassadorship program to have students let other students know about these great opportunities.

Having a windows phone 7 TABLET with open source textbooks or even paid for textbooks and give these guys a leg up in the tech world versus what they are getting right now which is a 50 year old tech education.  need to bring the schools into the 1990's...

@greeneyebob

MS does do a good job of catering to students.  The Win7 and office discounts are remarkably steep cuts, that are greatly appreciated.

One thing though is the standard student website AFAIK doesn't include Mac office.  I don't use a mac, but many of my fellow students do, and it'd be nice to have a reciprical deal.

My only other thought is that only the upgrade to Win7 is allowed.  Some of us students do like to build our own PCs for various reasons, and only allowing the upgrade leaves us with little recourse to either: Pay the full windows price (especially hard since it's almost 20% of what a reasonable computer would cost) or violate EULAs by using an OEM liscence from another computer to upgrade or buying a system builder copy of windows.  Perhaps if full versions could be sold for some type of discount as well it'd be benificial.  I'd hazard to guess that the vast majority of students are buying new computers for college and so the number needing a Win7 upgrade will dwindle to nothing very soon.

@tsrblke

As stated before the discount programs are fantastic. I was at a MS Office 2010 seminar and they showed a tool that helped users understand how to relate 2010 to 2003. I think that tool should be included in future releases or at least more easily accessible. Its a great tool for anyone who doesnt understand how to use 2010.

@techvudu

All these discounts and DreamSpark are great. I wish these had been around way back when I was in school.

I would like to see more video tutorials on how to code and develop in MS projects especially how different software packages can be used together such as using InfoPath with SharePoint.  @dilkry

wow Windows 7 for 29.99 for students with valid .edu address. It is great to be a student. Learn new things, enjoy Microsoft Student and Dreamspark program to become technically knowledgeable and be career savvy for future. Awesome Graphic depicting Microsoft's Academic efforts. Also I am aware that Microsoft Student for business has intern or first job opportunity with business partners. Wonderful.  

Seems like Microsoft is covering all around the student from learning, equipping with right tools, presenting job opportunity. May be Microsoft could prepare snack talks for students to get prepared for various Enterprise scenarios and real world technology utilization than just academic perspective.  Then add to it some sort of real world interview scenarios videos, various social interactions and prepare career aspirants after their education to their first technical interview.

How does it sound ?

love the dreamspark software available to students, both my wife going back to college, and my son in high school make use of it.  Love to see more courses in high schools to learn software design and development with microsoft software.

@coffeeshrk

The Windows 7 and Office 2007 promotions were excellent!  Maybe a student price promotion for Office 2010 is in order?  @KC7ISD

Student discounts are always a great help. Can you do anything to make course books free at colleges? ;)

@Keklar

I think Microsoft needs to do one thing that Apple has done all along: Make their own computers.  However, MS should still lease their software like they do so we get all the variety you do NOT see from Apple.  That way, the discounts don't stop at software, but could go all the way to computers as well.  Sure some of the companies you lease to have student discounts, but they're maybe 10%.

Other than that, Microsoft is doing a fantastic job of helping students out.

Twitter: @RichieB07

email: richardborkovec@hotmail.com

Microsoft is doing a great job, I agree!  Student discounts really help students get the software they need at a price they can afford.  Also a big thanks to the MSDN Academic Alliance!  

I am an educator at the Community College level, and part of the problem we face in higher education is the K-12 system lets too many slip through the cracks that cannot read or write anywhere near college levels.  

I also agree that something needs to be done to encourage more students to enter science and computer science degrees!

The discounts are great. I'd still be using XP if it weren't for the $30 Win7 Ultimate upgrade program avaiable through my school

I've already taken advantage of the $29.99 Win7 deal. Keep it up, Microsoft!

eknizram [at] gmail [dot] com

A slate device *platform* with an OS that extends the power and flexibility of Windows with a UI specific for touch and ink (a la Courier, or what it could have been) would be the ultimate student tool.

@lefthandedgeek

I think that's a generous offer. If I were I student and didn't have Windows 7 already, i'd jump on that. I think what would also be great for college students is mini courses that wouldn't take up too much of their time, but they're learning, say like, computer tricks, to simplify their lives. I took an office skills course back some time ago and do wish I remembered more, but it was great learning all that i'd learned then. I say mini courses because a college student's life is hectic and I know that they don't have a whole lot of time for anything extra and it's hard squeezing time in for themselves sometimes.

OneNote is great.  I just wish the web app version at office.live.com had printing.

iloman at wideopenwest dot com

You guys are already doing a wonderful job with MSDNAA ...  I even get some vital pieces of MS Software I need to use via my Student's membership in the IEEE, not to mention the ability to get windows 7 at a good discount. Yes, more student discounts would help.

Perhaps, you guys could conduct classes in Office for free for students to get acquainted with minor but useful features of Office components that we may have overlooked for a long time.

@grajasekar on twitter

Great discounts to students.  Makes me wish I was still a student.  Well I'm still learning.  Just not an .edu type of learning.

Great discounts to students.  Makes me wish I was still a student.  Well I'm still learning.  Just not an .edu type of learning.

@drewh70

There is no way to satisfy every student but the best you can do is give them tools and help them.

I think Microsoft can do several things:

1. Discounts for OS and application (like they are doing right now)

2. Partnership with hardware providers so they can buy a computer cheaper

And one thing important:

"Students Incorporated" create company like portal to teach students how companies work , the different kind of job positions, different needs, etc. Like a online "The apprentice".

You can create different kind of goals that students must achieve. So for example you can say:

* create a marketing campaign for XXX

* create web page for XXX

*  etc

Microsoft can create the infrastructure and give the students the tools they need (blog pages, office online, SharePoint servers, and help from Universities for example teaching Tips about marketing, IT, etc)

There can be prizes, achievements titles, and why not Job postings.

@nobuffer

maybe get more word out about live@edu.. i don't think a lot of schools know that that is an option..

Twitter: @TomRads

MS is doing a great job with their student dicount program. keep it up!

@jortega41

This is a very generous offer and I hope students will take advantage of it.

With the Utltimate Steal, the Windows 7 discount, and Dreamspark I think you guys are doing a wonderful job helping students which includes me.  For Microsoft to do more they'd have to draw me to win this sweepstakes!

icuponq2[at]hotmail[dot]com

This is a very generous offer and I hope students will take advantage of it. @thundr51

I hate to post a 3rd comment, but would this be available to teachers as well? @thundr51

Provide more scholarships and incentives for high demand majors such as mathematics and hard sciences.

Nefastus@gmail.com

I'm not sure what else Microsoft could do for students, in addition to the current software discounts and the Dreamspark program, besides having more software with bigger discounts.

Twitter: @alee67

My daughter is 18 and thinking about going to college.Hope we win.She will be a happy girl.Thanks!

I follow on twitter as @carolynishis and i tweeted this awesome giveaway.

Not sure what the current offerings include, but I think having bundles that target specific types of students could be useful. Something "all inclusive" - say Windows + Office for basic bundle, then a developer bundle could include those plus Visio and Visual Studio, a Project Management bundle could include Project instead of Visual Studio. Things like that. And all for a single price. Keep offering a la carte items for students too, but make it easier to get the whole set for a cheap price. You might even throw in vouchers for Microsoft Press books, or better yet, include a couple of the relevant Step-By-Step series books for the bundle purchased.

@gsyoungblood

Create some new scholarships...maybe one for homeschooled kids who are entering college and need a lot of financial aid like my sister and myself? *hint, hint* ;)

captainjack1991@gmail.com

I love the student discounts, but maybe other ways to verify are in order.  I know people who aren't students but got to keep their .edu address.  On the other hand, when I was a grad student I worked with a school that didn't offer .edu addresses so I couldn't get the discounts.

Twitter:  @RealMikeT

The best things Microsoft can do to help students out is what it already does; provide heavily discounted software. I found this a great help when I was in college and it is even better now with the <$30 Windows  7 copies.

@bdewong

Well, I was already able to grab Windows 7 and Office 2007 (soon getting 2010) at the discount rate. But what really made it for me was Microsoft's FREE DreamSpark offer; I cannot be more thankful for the Expression suite! I guess the only thing left would be a Windows Phone 7 college offer ;)

@imalbert

The student discounts are such a huge benefit to students, especially college students who are already burdened with tuition, books, and so on.  Just continue these discount programs/training and helping as many students as possible.

Twitter:  @MoodyShuffle

this is great for students!!  what a value!!

@tinytim35

Another vote on bringing back the Courier concept, it looked like an excellent educational tool in addition to business and entertainment!

@ghaleon

Microsoft is amazing for giving so much to the collegiate community. They're really inspirational.

@melan26

As a college student the discounts available as well as dreamspark  have helped me out greatly.

@DustynBryce

I'm glad to see you helping out students but I'd like to see discounts offered to the other end of the spectrum, Senior Citizens. I am retired and living on Social Security so paying full price to upgrade MS Office is simply out of the question. I beta tested Windows 7 and took advantage of the pre-release 1/2 price offer on two copies of Windows 7 Pro so when the price is right I'll bite!

email: @w3zj.com

The MSDNAA is a great program offered by universities.  Free or discounted essential software for cash strapped  students is great especially with the high costs of tuition and the cost of text books.

Twitter: @jpang1

Keep the student discounts coming!

tw: @dkshare

Microsoft always does a great job of helping students all over the world.

I mean mainly specials offers (huge discounts) for students, programs like MSDNAA, and other subscriptions - it's a big deal and it's very useful and helpful if money are an issue because you are a student without regular job. Please keep it up!

For the college/college bound student, I think you are already doing a great job in providing discounts and other tools.   Its Grade 5-8 that I think Microsoft could and should do more.  Not necessarily to steer them to programming but certainly in the direction of science & engineering.  If I were a parent, I would like to see a website geared towards that younger set.  The Microsoft Education team may want to approach and collaborate with MSN on this.  MSN doesn't have anything geared towards preteen/teen that I can tell.

This is great. My girlfriend is a grad student and could use a Win 7 upgrade. I'll forward this along to her.

@louiedog

Visual studio 2010 is free for students through dreamspark. Why not give students a chance to use Visual studio team foundation server too?

secretplace36 at hotmail dot com

Wow, its nice to see so many comments :)

It's really nice to have does offers for U.S. students, and the MSDNAA.

Through MSDNAA, in spite of the fact that I'm nor a U.S. resident, I could have access to a lot of Microsoft Software, which helps me a lot on my day-to-day life.

I belive what you're doing is great, and be encouraged and going on with it, it's just what you should continue to do.

@BGiordano

keep the discounts going. help us get through school and prepare us for the future. every little thing helps.

@shotaboogray

You guys already do a good job providing software and books for students, I can't really think of  what else to add to that.

@migue333

Some students can't get .edu addresses.  They are told to use google mail or some other type as the schools IT doesn't have the ability, manpower or funds to maintain edu's for students.  Help the schools infrastructure problems or create another way to validate.

      greator1 at "nospam" hotmail.com

I think that you have already established  great way of helping students! I know Office is an integral part of my school work!

@sabresfan96

I think the software discounts you give students are fantastic and it helps them to be able to have capable PCs for school. I think more location based events and hands on seminars would be wonderful for students  We really do learn a lot at the MSDN events and maybe there should be a new area of Microsoft events just for students to attend geared toward Office use and software development.

The discounts (especially on Windows) are awesome and I've taken advantage of it. I only wish Office hadn't gone up to $80. $60 was a great price and I'm kicking myself now for not getting it.

I've used AA version of Visual Studio before the basic edition was free.  It was a great way to learn.

@wheredidyou

It'd be great to see more cloud apps for students. The thing my classmates & I use the most is the new online sync in OneNote. Makes things a ton easier to share than previous versions and it's way hard to lose the data like say when a hard drive fails, and helps migrate that data to a new computer easily.

@pistonhjr

My wife's a student.  The discounts have really helped us out quite a bit!  I would only suggest to add some online training videos (not just the tutorial stuff that's already online), and maybe some templates to use in Office to keep track of assignments, grades, activities, etc.  Oh... and maybe a free Zune here and there ;)

Twitter:  @luischinea

Microsoft is already doing so much with the student discounts and training.

@Daguru77

I say the great discounts are great

@Dhuvy

The windows 7 would be the biggest help they would need.

I do believe that Microsoft is doing a lot already when it comes to providing the tools for educating people; however, I do believe that the Windows Team/Microsoft should also provide detailed training to those who would be in positions to educate others. Too many times in school I found my teachers unwilling or unable to help a student with a computer or problem simply because they were either afraid or unsure about how to do it in the first place. You have the proper tools, like a good PC and someone who knows how to use it, and you'll have a strong fighting chance to fight problems like illiteracy, people afraid of tech and the re-educating of people who have been removed from their jobs and need to find more. One place to start is definitely in the schools themselves. I believe there is a lot of focus there, but you also have to focus on the people that have already been through school and are out or removed from the workforce.

Again, I believe that making the tools available to people is a big focus point, but also, you need to have a way for people to know how to use those tools properly, and that will involve educating more of the educators.

Blake Britton - @blakebritton

I'm currently in college and love how I could Windows 7 and Microsoft Office Professional for such a good price! Now if Microsoft would give students discounts on Microsoft Points and at the Zune Marketplace, it would be really great!

@trhodes93

We need an ebook reader from a company that is willing to incorporate user feedback!    Microsoft has proven that they're interested in putting what users want and need into the products they develop.  Sony, Amazon, Barnes & Noble-- their hardware is nothing more than a razor to sell *their* blades!  Give us the ebook reader option that saves students money on textbooks, increases literacy by getting the tech generation enthused about reading, supports libraries by supporting EPUB, gives authors and publisher confidence in ebooks, and, of course, incorporates all the brilliant ideas that will spring from Microsoft engaging a community of users!

@ekaschyk

I do think the low cost software is a fantastic way to help people out.

@barryschuler

It's nice that you offer college students a break.

How about the elderly and disabled on a fixed income?  We can afford the retail price of upgrading to Windows 7 even less, and because of the complexity of Vista we need Windows 7 even more.

@ande_1

I think that making upgrades even cheaper than they already are would help keep students (and anyone else without a whole lot of disposable income) invested in your ecosystem.

@vinnie1023

People do not realize the true cost of a teenager dropping out of high school.  I hope that we can solve this problem in my lifetime.

People do not realize the true costs of teenagers dropping out of school.  This is a solvable problem and I hope we see it solved in my lifetime.  Thanks for sharing

@scotth1354 on twitter

At my university we can get Windows 7 Ultimate (upgrade) and Office Enterprise for 10$ each. This is unbeatable. Microsoft also offers free software for budding developpers and artists, so this is great, too.

However, for us social scientists what would be interesting is a good deal on Vizio. It's terribly expensive, but it would also be very useful to map out complex ideas.

But even if Microsoft doesn't offer Vizio with a discount, they still have the best offers for students of any company that I know of.

I think offering built-in help on how to use Office efficiently for school tasks would be nice, and help find features e didn't know were there before.

I think the best way is to teach the teachers how to use the software, because if teacher itself has half knowledge about it he could only give less than that.

As the parent of a college student, it's made it much easier for me to keep my student up-to-date and fully equipped with Office 2010 and Win7 - the only thing we miss is Encarta, which was a great resource and still is even though it's no longer available.

I'm a college student and have been using Dreamspark for 3 years. Thank you!!!!

@Travney

As an educator, I think that what could be done to improve education in our American society starts at home. Most parents think that education is the responsiblity of teachers. If you can promote through commercial and ads how important it is for parents to help children set goals and be involved in their education, we as a nation will take K-12 schooling more seriously, decrease dropout rates, senseless school violence, acheive more as a nation, and gain myriad other benefits. Microsoft: use your dollars to change our nations perception about educational responsibility.

Keep up the good work on Small Basic. Teaching programming at a young age is essential for the students that have an interest in it.

i'm not a college student but appreciate microsoft keeping people stil in school in mind

@jkirkley

Honestly, I think MS is doing a lot to help students out. I think that PC manufacturers have let students down by not releasing products that cater to their needs. Its all about astetics, durability, price, and battery life for students.

Perhaps MS could lower the price of Office on theultimatesteal? :)

@H4WKE on Twitter

Given that we want to continue to bridge the digital divide, extend your college student discounts to high school students, too.

I think you all and MS are already doing a great job for students with the discounts.. Freebies are always a plus as well :)

zugshad@googlemail.com

I'm a college student and in addition to the student discounts, I've taken advantage of a number of offerings on Dreamspark. Keep up the good work!

@wholesalekarma

WindowsTeamBlog can post a blog showing features that we may not know about Microsoft Office, Excell or even PowerPoint... Yes I know the basics because all 3 software because it is easy to understand but I'm 1000% sure I haven't learned everything those software is capable of.

@Nitrous7z

I think you need to work to get slate computers like the iPad out on the market quicker. And these slates should have OneNote preinstalled on them. @baerwb

I think you have to concentrate on getting computers to students in rural and low-income areas. When you have to travel far and pay  10 cents a page to print out your papers it can be a real hassle.

Just a thought...

@JosiahMelendez

While I'm not a student, I think the discounts are a great help to students.

@randiek

I am an adult student who went to college for the first time at 38. I discovered the student discount for Windows 7 by accident, but I bought it right away! Couldn't beat the price!

And with Dreamspark, Microsoft is doing a great job of helping students get the programs they need for learning to program!

BTW, I plan to purchase Office 2010 through the student discount as well as soon as I get some more cash into the account! LOL

twitter: @dkmccue

My wife is going to college classes now.  I was in college about 10 years ago.  Microsoft has done a lot to make it easier on students to learn and be productive.  Not only can students get discounts on the best office software, which a lot of professors require and only accept for turned in homework, but Microsoft offers students entering the tech field

evaluation software that has no limits with which to learn.  Thank you for making it all possible.  I wish the same discounts were available 8 years ago when Office XP PRO cost $250 for the academic version.....

My wife is going to college classes now.  I was in college about 10 years ago.  Microsoft has done a lot to make it easier on students to learn and be productive.  Not only can students get discounts on the best office software, which a lot of professors require and only accept for turned in homework, but Microsoft offers students entering the tech field evaluation software that has no limits with which to learn.  Thank you for making it all possible.  I wish the same discounts were available 8 years ago when Office XP PRO cost $250 for the academic version.....

Twitter: @bsaana

I thought the Window 7 for 30$ was a pretty good deal, I bought it for my laptop.  The only problem is that I can't get another and my Desktop is still running WinXP, maybe you could let a student buy 2/3 instead of just 1 at the discounted price?

@the_pi_man

It's wonderful that Microsoft has such a presence in the Education system.  Your student discounts & free programs are incredible.  While your scholarship program is very generous, it could be expanded to help more students categorized as "middle-clss".  @My3Sons33

I think you're already on the right track for assisting students.  Massive discounts on software that is basically necessary to get through college is a huge help.  Other programs like DreamSpark and MSDN AA are great too.  I've always thought that Gate's philanthropy work is something all CEOs should aspire to, just as other corporations that students rely on should step up and give them a hand like you guys have.  Keep up the good work!

The Dreamspark program you guys have is awesome. I just wish it were easier to join! Get more universities involved!

I think Microsoft by far leads in making software affordable and accessible to students but they need to improve students' ability to use it successfully. Students still find it hard to improve their skills and although MS has tons of free training, eLearning and education-related programs, I think they can do a better job of teaching students software development from scratch. twitter: @tuxplorer

The DreamSpark program is so fantastic. Just keep it going. It's too kind of MS to give away to stuff to students for free. My only complaint is the latest versions of programs come too slow to DreamSpark. If you guys can make software available on DreamSpark as soon as it goes to Technet, MSDN, MSDNAA, that would make it even better. @Wincomplete on Twitter.

Microsoft puts an enormous amount of effort into helping students and that is apparent not just in the company's efforts but also what Bill Gates does personally through his foundation. Keep up the good work. I am xpclient and domain is live.com.

My friend is doing his MBA currently. I told him about the Windows 7 at $29 and Office Ultimate Steal and they have been very useful to him during his MBA. But why offer the upgrade edition, not the full version? @madhurikale18

I kinda think you guys are doing enough more to help students out with discounts and such on both Windows and Office. However, it would be nice if you could offer Windows 7 Pro Full (instead of just an upgrade) at the $30 mark.

And yeah, this recession giveaway is itself a great aid to students who don't have the cash to splurge right now :)

Avinash

cynthadd [at] gmail [dot] com

Like others have picked up on, Microsoft is already doing a lot to help students out. Free or low-cost software (which could be lower) for instance. How about extending more of the same to teachers and other education professionals? Better schools would help, and having a hand in training staff would be part of making that happen.

Not for the contest but I forgot to add recent addins like Math addin for Office, Microsoft Interactive Classroom, Mouse Mischief and goodies from Education labs all have been fantastic.

The high school my son attends does not offer email so we are not able to take advantage of the discounts.  But what I would like to see for him would be some online tutorials geared for the younger student.  I have Middle and High schoolers who are all interested in creating their own web pages and I would love to see tutorials from a company I can trust guiding thru the foundational basics.

Loving the student discounts!

Thomas.Bezak at live.com

I think Microsoft already does a good job providing discounts with software and also with their msdnaa programs to provide software to students in technical education. Office Web Apps is also a really nice option to be able to use.

Robert Lake

Making technology accessible is the key since it can be a great enabler to their success, no matter what their career path.  It's nice to see that Microsoft is making very affordable options to students especially programs like spark, this one, etc.  The other big push is to get to students earlier in High School and exposing them to technology especially in lower income areas.  Besides it's a win-win for Microsoft because they can get their foot in the door with people.

@ewrankin