When I purchased AKV in April 2008, I was given a year's worth of developer points because AKV was not going to open for another year.. Therefore, I couldn't stay at my home resort, even though I had already purchased and paid for my points. (Dues didn't start until the resort actually opened in May 2009). Developer points are usually restricted to certain resorts. Mine had to be used at SSR.
One more thing -- the developers points were good for one year from the date I signed the contract (at the presentation) and could not be banked. If I didn't use them, I lost them.
I think developer points also can be used as reservation points, so they can book stays at WDW resorts that do not have an associated DVC and also at Disneyland (but not at GC once the GC Villas open).
I used my AKL developer points for 2 weeks this past June while kids were in Disney Junior Golf Camp. Stayed in a 1 bedroom SSR and it was Great! Best Free, well almost free, vacation I ever had!