Visual Studio -- FREE!!

Okay now. Dont gang up on me. Im no Microsoft fan... okay maybe just a li'l bit...
Im into linux too, but I happen to be using a lot of Microsoft products in the company where I work. And for me, I consider most freebies are goodies.. ~~All good things in life are free~~

I've taken the liberty to post some info from their website's FAQ.

It's too bad their not giving away free copies of visual java. Im not yet into
.NET Framework, (J# belongs to the realm of .NET), but it seems these freebies present a good oppurtunity for me to learn more about .NET.

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Microsoft gives away Visual Studio and SQL Server
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/default.aspx

1. What are the Express Editions?

The Express Editions are an expansion of the Visual
Studio and SQL Server product line to include lightweight,
easy-to-use, and easy-to-learn tools for hobbyists,
students, and novice developers who want to build dynamic
Windows applications, Web sites, and Web services. The
Express products consist of:

Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition, a lightweight tool
for building dynamic Web sites and Web services

Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition, Visual C# 2005 Express
Edition, Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition, and Visual J#
2005 Express Edition, targeted programming tools for
students and hobbyists who wish to learn the fundamentals
of Windows programming

SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, a database for building
data-driven applications

4. Can I use Express Editions for commercial use?

Yes, there are no licensing restrictions for applications
built using the Express Edition

11. You said "free for one year" what does that mean,
exactly? Will you be charging for this later?

We originally announced pricing of Visual Studio Express
at US$49. We are now offering Visual Studio Express for free,
as a limited-in-time promotional offer, until November 6,
2006. Note that we are also offering SQL Server 2005
Express Edition as a free download, and that this offer is
not limited to the same promotional pricing period as Visual
Studio Express.

12. Do customers who acquire the Visual Studio Express
products during the free promotional pricing period have
to pay after the first year if they want to continue to
use them?

No, as long as you download Visual Studio Express on or
before November 7th 2006, you will not have to pay for it.
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As indicated in item #4, these goodies can be used for commercial use. Isnt that great!?