I generally like things being made available online. Sure, I have issues with putting data online, because when my connection goes out – and it will go out – I like to be able to get to it. But providing the option to get at things online is a nice feature. Making it so that they have to be retrieved online just blows. It really blows.
One of the hats that I wear in my life as a computer consultant has to do with networks – and when I’m wearing that hat, it means that I have to deal with Microsoft products. This really doesn’t mean that I am a Microsoft hater, because a lot of what they do is decent. But some days they do nothing other than make my life miserable. Take eOpen, for example.
Introduced a couple of years ago to allow you to store your licenses online, the navigation is bad. Really bad. Whoever is in charge of making an application for storing information and getting at it in an intuitive manner ought to be shot, because when you need to look up that licensing information, it’s virtually impossible to get. Luckily, for a couple of years, you only needed it briefly. But that all changed not long ago, when Microsoft actually decided to distribute software in this manner.
Now I get that they want to be all efficient, and that it will lead to software rental. I really do. I’m not even against the concept. If it’s done right. At this point, it’s not.
One of my customers, for instance, purchased a new server, and they also purchased SQL Server to go with it. After determining that we needed to download the software from eOpen, we clicked in the logical place – Software Downloads. Unfortunately, this just returned a message saying that we needed to accept the agreements, with a link back to the eOpen home page. That’s it. Nothing more. After twiddling about for the better part of an hour, we finally figured out that we needed to list the agreement, and way down at the bottom of the agreement in question is a box where you can type your name in lieu of a signature. Once you do, you have accepted the agreement, and you can get at your software.
Unfortunately, that’s not it. In this case, you then get the privilege of downloading nearly 3GB of data. Even over a decent connection, it’s still going to take more than 4 hours, according to the helpful download manager plugin. Oh, and did I mention that because of the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration, we couldn’t actually make that download happen (until we removed all those “protective” settings)? So we have a server, all buckled down, but we can’t actually download the software onto it. Nice thinking, Redmond.
I have no idea if this four-hour download will work, but I have to imagine that the cost of a DVD can’t be worth the customer dis-satisfaction that this is driving.
Comments
52 responses to “Microsoft eOpen Sucks”
Oh im so pissed of!
Project skipped for WEEKS cause of this stupid EOpen Portal.
Just need DVD for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2, called them, mailed them and now? Just Server DVD arrived. Should the clients play bongos?
And when i think about the time i spend in this portal i really have to cool down.
Respect!
Humph. I am still on hold after 2+ hours, because my download got stuck and I needed to get back into the site but cant! It says it linked my business email with a WindowsLIVE acct. But WHICH WindowsLIVE acct, I didnt give it any!!?!?!?
How odd, I posted to this a while ago, but the last post above has prompted me to response as I have now been waiting since the beginning of December to activate a new product on eOpen. I am starting to believe there are to version’s of the MS site as to read a comment like the one above whilst MS is desperately (well, not exactly desperately more …..slowly) trying to fix the eOpen site after making it look very pretty put even harder to navigate and non-functionality for new subscriptions!
This is a fact, the site is broken and you cannot add new ‘Permissions’ – at on point mid December I called MS in the UK only to be given an email address be an automated answer phone message and then subsequently cut off!
You can currently order physically media and MS will waive the usual fee.
I still don’t find the new site intuitive, to add new apps you have to go to: Settings > Request Permissions > Choose Program > Enter Auth Codes etc > choose Admin levels > What happens after you press submit is anyone’s guess as it doesn’t work after this point!
I’m sure there are far far easier ways of activating/downloading software online!
I realize it’s old and what not, but i have to completely disagree with this entire article and most comments. This “database” of license and software is perfect for people in heavy computer related industries. Our company uses the he%# outta eopen and I’m better for it. I keep all my big stuff on the site and anytime i need to get a new computer going or format an old one, everything i need is ready for download. An overnight download for data always available and disc i don’t have to keep up with is nothing compared to the problems involved with disc, scratches, marks, dropped licenses, and old keys. Everything is takin care of here, as it should be, and it’s not that hard to use!
I agree, it took me so long to figure out how to get my software keys, let alone try to download the software to good old fashioned CD’s so I could install on multiple machines. (I order my pc’s without the OS to save money and purhcase the licenses for each machine I download to) but it is a hassle to do.
It took a turn for the worst this week. The site was “revamped” December 6th and literally impossible to get help. Your best bet is to contact 800.248.0655. The will take your authorization num over the phone and send you the physical media. They are waving the $25 media fee. It’s about your only shot at getting your new software at the present time.
I spent 8 hours this week trying to figure out the new site (just to find that they can’t get it working), hours on hold, etc..
We have a project that is now 1 week late. Pathetic.
I still cannot obtain my software – being told that my account is not recognised !!
It is MY hotmail account that I originally used to order the software
BLOODY TYPICAL MS ARE CRAP !!
The thing that seems really sad is that in the time that has passed since this article was written, eOpen has not improved. It doesn’t even do the really simple stuff properly – like the signon screen which supposedly gives you a choice about how much of your credentials get cached in your browser and then resolutely refuses to remember your email address.
And don’t even think about trying to use Firefox instead of IE
For those looking for the a human to talk to about their problems, my advice is don’t bother. The default instruction is to delete every browser cache, cookie (even one’s having nothing to do with MS and might have some utility on other sites) and change every browser setting to factory default (you didn’t want your own security settings did you?).
If I didn’t need to use it, I wouldn’t go near it.
And I’ve typed this lot in the time it’s taken to open a new license agreement (and I don’t touch type).
Scream!!!!
i could not agree more. I came looking for an article about eOpen as I try to navigate through this slow, terribly designed site. The fact that you need to find online documentation to use a licensing site is really telling. I prefer things to be online, but Microsoft has found a way to mess up even this.
i hate it… i really do…. i still cant get my license keys!!! i have added the agreement and agreeded to the terms and conditions and when i click license key it wont display them…!!!
is there a contact number for this piece of shit???