Software Development Tools Free From Microsoft

Microsoft has launched a new initiative called DreamSpark with one simple goal, giving students professional software development and design tools at no cost.  It's a great initiative as it will enable students at any level to start developing with some of the best software development tools available.  For the amount of jobs out there for .net developers, and lack of qualified candidates, this should really help students get introduced to the .net technologies early!  It's not just Microsoft that has a vested interest in students learning to work with the latest and greatest technologies, its everyone.

Technology continues to drive our economy, governments, and our future.  It's nice to see Microsoft taking some initiative and offering up some ways to save money to students that are already broke enough.  I still remember working tech support till 2 am in 96 to try and save enough money to buy Visual Basic.

If you are a student, simply go to the DreamSpark site, and sign up.  Within minutes you will be able to download any of the following products absolutely free:

 

Who knows, if you are a student and are able to come up with some cool applications, you could be on your way to France for the Imagine Cup! The Imagine Cup is another way Microsoft is encouraging students to apply their imagination, their passion and their creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world.  This years theme is the environment.