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FAQ: Changes on Nov. 1 to MCP Magazine Online
FAQ: Changes on Nov. 1 to <i>MCP Magazine Online</i>
I don't have any Microsoft certifications yet; what can I access on your site?
The only change to the site that affects members of the general public (those without any Microsoft certifications) is that you can no longer view all of the current issue of the magazine free of charge. Select articles will continue to be available to you, as will all of the exclusively online content. The majority of the print magazine content, however, is moving into an MCP-only area. If you're not an MCP yet, you can still access most of the site, including these popular areas:
- Discussions forums
- Industry news
- All salary surveys
- Public chats
- Our certification, jobs, and training portals
- Exam Monitor information
You can also pay to subscribe to the Premier area (which includes access to Club MCP). MCPs pay $9.95 for a year's access; non-MCPs pay $19.95. Click here to subscribe.
I'm an MCP; what can I access on your site?
Everything in the public area (see above) is available to you, along with a special Club MCP area that contains:
- All articles in the current issue of the magazine, available for 30 days (beginning typically on the 15th of the month prior to the cover date). After 30 days, the current issue moves into the Premier area and is available to all premium title-holders, or to site subscribers.
- A database for contacting other MCPs
- Twice-monthly chats on exam preparation
I'm an MCSE (or MCSD, MCSE+I, MCDBA). What can I access on your site?
Everything in the public area and in Club MCP is available to you (see above), along with:
- The current issue and all back issues of the magazine since 1996
- A search engine for finding articles of interest
- Regular technical chats with Microsoft experts
Why do I have to go through the Microsoft MCP Secure site for access to Club MCP and the Premier area?
You must pass through Microsoft's area in order to verify your status as an MCP. Once you enter the MCP Magazine Online site from Microsoft's site, we'll offer a shortcut process in which you can register directly with us and avoid going through the Microsoft site in the future.
Why are you taking away content you previously offered in the free area?
We're removing some content from the public area while adding content to our new Club MCP area and to our paid Premier area (previously called Resource Central). Why? Because our primary focus is and will continue to be IT professionals who hold one or more Microsoft certifications. We're thus changing our online publishing model to offer more content for Microsoft Certified Professionals, because that's our primary market.
If I'm a paid subscriber to the magazine (because I'm not an MCP yet), do I get access to the Premier area with my subscription?
The print magazine and the Web site are separate products. You'll need to pay for a separate subscription to the Web site if you want access to the current and back issues. At $19.95 for a year's access to five years worth of content, we believe we've priced it affordably.
I'm an MCP, but I don't have a premium certification title. Can I subscribe to the Premier area to get access to the back issues of the magazine?
MCPs can subscribe to the Premier area for $9.95, which is a 50 percent discount.
I just paid for a subscription to Resource Central and I hold a premium Microsoft certification. Since that's now your Premier area and is available to me as a premium title-holder for free, do I get a refund?
Yes. Send your request via email to our customer service department at [email protected]. Include a mailing address, and your user name and password if you know it. After verification of your MCP status, you'll receive a pro-rated refund for the remaining balance on your subscription on your credit card. Please put "Refund" in the subject line.
To comment about these changes, send them to [email protected], and put "MCP Mag and Benefit Changes" in the Subject line.