Microsoft gives away Visual Studio and SQL Server Express

oboeguy

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 1999
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How much will these products cost?


We are announcing a pricing promotion for Visual Studio Express ? for the first year after the products launch on November 7th, 2005, customers will be able to visit MSDN to download their copy of Visual Studio Express for free!**

Our customers are very excited about the release of these products, so this limited-time download is our gift to the hobbyist, student, and novice community ? we?re excited to see the amazing applications they?ll build!

Note that SQL Server 2005 Express Edition is also a free download. The free pricing for SQL Server Express is not limited to the same one-year promotional period as Visual Studio Express.
 

neit

Senior member
Dec 6, 2001
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I looked into the 1 year thing and you can keep the software for free after the year is up. Basically, you can freely download it until Nov 7, 2006, but after that you have to pay to download it.

The software isn't "illegal" after the year is up.

I must say, this kinda matches up exactly with me, I'm a chemical engineer that likes to tool around with programming every now and then, and getting msvs express edition for free is a pretty good deal.
 

oboeguy

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 1999
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Originally posted by: shahbazq
I looked into the 1 year thing and you can keep the software for free after the year is up. Basically, you can freely download it until Nov 7, 2006, but after that you have to pay to download it.

The software isn't "illegal" after the year is up.

I must say, this kinda matches up exactly with me, I'm a chemical engineer that likes to tool around with programming every now and then, and getting msvs express edition for free is a pretty good deal.

Ah, thanks for clarifying.

<--- off to merrily download all components :D
 

mikester

Member
Aug 8, 2005
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What's the big deal? There have been very good free Java and even C++ IDEs around for years. I'm surprised Microsoft didn't start giving their tools away sooner, since .NET is all about locking people into their platform.
 

Megatomic

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
20,127
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I got Visual Basic and Web Development Express. Do I need SQL Server Express to piddle around with those two packages? If I do, for what? Thanks!
 

AU Tiger

Diamond Member
Dec 26, 1999
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Free is becoming very popular. Oracle released their free database, Oracle Express, last week to compete with MySQL. Microsoft must be thinking the same thing.
 

Dimmu

Senior member
Jun 24, 2005
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Really nice programs for free...AWESOME! Thanks a bunch for the link/info. OP.
 

The Linuxator

Banned
Jun 13, 2005
3,121
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So will VB express give me acess to the MSDN so I can play around with the BETA downloads ?
I already have VisualStudio.net 2003
 

MrChad

Lifer
Aug 22, 2001
13,507
3
81
Originally posted by: mikester
What's the big deal? There have been very good free Java and even C++ IDEs around for years. I'm surprised Microsoft didn't start giving their tools away sooner, since .NET is all about locking people into their platform.

Riiight ... that must be why Microsoft submitted the specifications for the .NET CLI and C# to the ECMA, allowing other groups to develop cross-platform implementations of .NET. :roll:
 

Megatomic

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
20,127
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81
Originally posted by: Megatomic
I got Visual Basic and Web Development Express. Do I need SQL Server Express to piddle around with those two packages? If I do, for what? Thanks!
Anyone?
 

MrChad

Lifer
Aug 22, 2001
13,507
3
81
Originally posted by: Megatomic
Originally posted by: Megatomic
I got Visual Basic and Web Development Express. Do I need SQL Server Express to piddle around with those two packages? If I do, for what? Thanks!
Anyone?

No, but I think the reverse is true (SQL Server Express requires Visual Studio Express).
 

TechBoyJK

Lifer
Oct 17, 2002
16,699
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so, how well does sql server express run? i read it only allows one cpu, 1GB ram, 4GB database size... I wonder how many instances you can run on a machine, like put one instance on one cpu, and the other on the other, etc..

Is oracle express any better?
 

Markbnj

Elite Member <br>Moderator Emeritus
Moderator
Sep 16, 2005
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www.markbetz.net
Heh, I love the way the anti-MS open-source dweebs have to rush in to explain why Microsoft is still evil, even though they are giving their tools away.

Happy New Year commies ;).
 

sonoma1993

Diamond Member
May 31, 2004
3,413
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I've downloaded and install visual basic 2005 express. The program I ran that I got from microsoft, downloaded all the files automatically and installed it. Im just curious were are these files located at on the computer, in case I want to a full format and reinstall without having to redownload the files from microsoft?


nevermind, Id solve the problem, have to redownload it as a manual install. Then burn it to a cd.
 

neit

Senior member
Dec 6, 2001
353
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Just wanted to give an update, MS got rid of their express edition "free for a limited time" promo. The EE dev tools are free permanently, at least the 2005 editions. Check out the faq for an verification.