Dreamspark

[Christmas]

Microsoft and Bill Gates just recently announced that they'll be giving away several of their developing and design tools to HS and college students. I know to some it's a good cause, others a business move, but hey it's free.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142597-c,software/article.html

http://channel8.msdn.com/


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Christmas on 2008-02-19 20:38 ]</font>

[HUnewearl_Meira]

Microsoft certainly seems to be stressing their development tools, as of late. It's also noteworthy that they released freeware versions of all of Visual Studio's components, a couple of years ago, now. I'm given to wonder what their angle is.

[Randomness]

On 2008-02-19 18:35, HUnewearl_Meira wrote:
Microsoft certainly seems to be stressing their development tools, as of late. It's also noteworthy that they released freeware versions of all of Visual Studio's components, a couple of years ago, now. I'm given to wonder what their angle is.



My cynical side says this:

1-Get people using Microsoft products
2-Keep them using Microsft products to the point of relying on them and not open-source software
3-Charge money
4-Profit.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Randomness on 2008-02-19 18:39 ]</font>

[Sgt_Shligger]

On 2008-02-19 18:37, Randomness wrote:

On 2008-02-19 18:35, HUnewearl_Meira wrote:
Microsoft certainly seems to be stressing their development tools, as of late. It's also noteworthy that they released freeware versions of all of Visual Studio's components, a couple of years ago, now. I'm given to wonder what their angle is.



My cynical side says this:

1-Get people using Microsoft products
2-Keep them using Microsft products to the point of relying on them and not open-source software
3-Charge money
4-Profit.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Randomness on 2008-02-19 18:39 ]</font>


They'll need to make their products nearly uncompareable to their open-source counterparts. To make profit, they'll need to make trials long enough so people will become dependent upon them. The open-source option should be so far behind and lower in quality that Microsoft's product will be the only choice.

[SabZero]

On 2008-02-19 18:35, HUnewearl_Meira wrote:
Microsoft certainly seems to be stressing their development tools, as of late. It's also noteworthy that they released freeware versions of all of Visual Studio's components, a couple of years ago, now. I'm given to wonder what their angle is.


The angle is, that if all (new) developers only know Microsoft, then the hiring companies are forced to use it too, or re-educate them graduates on their money. With MS developing tools also comes the need to use MS OS, browser etcetc.

[Christmas]

"Get them while they're young."