Microsoft gives away free developer software to students

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<p><a href="https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/"><img height="184" alt="DreamSpark" hspace="hspace" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.downloadsquad.com/media/2008/02/dreamspark.jpg" width="440" align="top" vspace="vspace" border="0" /></a></p> <p>While we're not particularly used to hearing the words "free" and "Microsoft" in the same sentence, the software behemoth does offer a number of free utilities for download on its website. For example, there's <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/synctoy.mspx">SyncToy</a>, <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/default.mspx">Power Toys for XP</a>, and <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx">Photo Story</a>. Now Microsoft is also offering free downloads of its commercial developer tools. The only catch? You need to be a student in college or graduate school. <br />The programs available include:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Products/Visual_Studio_2008.aspx">Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition</a></li> <li><a href="https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Products/Windows_Server_2003.aspx">Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition</a></li> <li><a href="https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Products/SQL_Server_2005_Express.aspx">SQL Server 2005 Express Edition</a></li> <li><a href="https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Products/Expression_Studio.aspx">Expression Studio</a></li> <li><a href="https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Products/XNA_Game_Studio.aspx">XNA Game Studio 2.0</a></li> <li><a href="https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Products/XNA_Game_Studio.aspx">XNA Creators Club Online</a></li> </ul> <p>Students can download full versions of these applications. They aren't limited versions of the full software like <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/accountingexpress/FX101729681033.aspx">Microsoft Accounting Express</a>. The promotion, which Microsoft is calling DreamSpark is available to any student no matter what their area of study. But right now the deal is only good in 11 countries: the US, UK, Canada, China, Germany, France, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Belgium. <br /> <br />You'll need a Windows Live ID to participate. And Microsoft will take steps to verify that you're really a student, so you need to enter the name of the school or institution that can confirm your status before you can download your program.</p> <p><a href="http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/02/19/microsoft-gives-away-free-developer-software-to-students/">Microsoft gives away free developer software to students - Download Squad</a></p>

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