I’ve not tried this, but this just flashed in mind when a friend asked this question while chatting. Basically, he wanted to learn MicroStrategy and I give away my v9 download and trial key. I do not know if I’m doing a license violation by that. I do not have MicroStrategy installed on my local machine and last attempt was a let down.
This is something that I suggest if you want to cheat (you can’t bypass) the 30 day trail. 30 days are not really sufficient to even understand MicroStrategy. MicroStrategy, Inc should think of getting a 3 or 6 month Learning License Serial Key for this mass of MicroStrategy learners and should give next versions Learner License Key to current client under this license.
Coming back to the issue: Use VMWare Server/Microsoft Virtual PC to safely cheat. VMWare is a Virtual OS product (it is much more then that too). You need to have a machine with better hardware configuration. Both are free downloads. MS stuff is free where as VMWare needs site registration.
- Create the basic Microsoft 2000 OS image of 25 GB.
- Install all latest SP/Patch to it. MS ODBC patches are very essentials for 2000 OS.
- Install latest version of Acrobat reader, Flash player, Java Runtimes, IIS and Tomcat Server
- Install Eclipse if you do MicroStrategy Java SDK or .net or MicroStrategy ASP.net SDK.
- Install Adobe Flex 3 Builder if you do Visualization SDK (Flash dashboard)
- Move MicroStrategy installation files into the OS image.
- Now make two more copies of this image (for safe backup if you mess with any of backup in future).
- Using 30 days Trail Serial Key, install MicroStrategy.
- Activate your installation.
- Use it for 30 days.
- Move back the metadata to host OS. You may not require this step if you already have it in host OS or any machine over LAN. VMWare/Virtual OS image can also access machine over LAN.
- Make another copy of image created in step 7
- Repeat after step 8.
Disclaimer: This steps are for demonstration purpose only and you hold all legal responsibilities of using this method to cheat License agreement. It may be outright illegal if you do so and may land you in legal trouble. Kindly check your license agreement before proceeding.
Update 2009-08-22 15:38:53: The Trial serial key(s) can not be used indefinately for installations, so one need to turn back time of the VMWare image too 😉
Ashish, this is a good work around actually I’ve already used for 8, but desktop only. I do not quite understand the step 11, what is the metadata you mentioned here, is it the vmware image? The problem is the server activation. I think every time you have to fill out a form at the end of the setup and a random install id will be given to send to MSTR for the license key to activate the server for 30 days – both 8 and 9. Is it correct and any thoughts? Thanks!
Nah, after you work on MicroStrategy metadata it would change incorporating the things that you do on MicroStrategy. (After each trial expiration, you need to throw away the VMWare image). MicroStrategy, Inc does come to know about the each activation, and obviously they would be using some BI to check any Serial Key abuse. Unless MicroStrategy License servers are changed to stops accepting such abused Serial Key, one can safely use it. :-). Use it till MicroStrategy plugs this hole.
why bother doing this, just download the free version!
Free version is not just available to anyone. I mainly wrote this due the plight of average MicroStrategy professional. MicroStrategy started giving away product to College Grads starting Q3-2008, but there is hardly any news. The site itself doesn’t have any information about the kind of license for such distribution. If you have easy access, no problem. and free version doesn’t have SDK.
Better create Snapshot/image of VM an revert after every 29 days
[VM feature]
you suck
I take your frustration as a compliment.