Where I’m currently working, we’re using WSS 3.0. We have a need for a workflow so I started evaluating if the offer answer our needs.

First of all, let’s try the workflows available in the web interface. I discovered that we only have the 3-state workflow template available… If we want more, we need the full-price edition of Sharepoint 2007. But still, we don’t know if the additional templates will answer our needs…

It turns out that we can create custom workflow using Sharepoint Designer, so lets download a trial edition to see if it does what we want. After being forced to register on Microsoft website under what they call “MSDN Evaluation Experience”, I receive an e-mail that states it is the first of a series of e-mail that will provide me technical resources… and that I should receive another e-mail with the download instructions within 2 to 8 hours!!! WHAT???

Well I later received an e-mail containing the link and the trial key. Now let’s try Sharepoint Designer. How do we create a new workflow?? ok a little google search revealed the task is as as simple as click “File / New / Workflow” ;). Good, let’s go! hum! File menu is disabled… DAMN!

Sharepoint Designer 2007 Trial is features limited!!! Not time limited as Microsoft project usually are. Then how do I test before buying? Why it was not stated anywhere? I lost my time registering an waiting for that download link for nothing!

All this to say that I’m missing the good old days… When Microsoft were making their applications easily available to developers so they can learn it. That’s how they got where they are in the first place. A developer will never promote a product he doesn’t know. Yes they are dealing with piracy issues, but still, as an observer I feel that they are exaggerating…