Microsoft to give students free developer tools

Microsoft wants more students using its software tools and it thinks it has hit on the right business model.

It's going to give away its software.

Starting this week, college students in 10 countries will be able to get Microsoft's Visual Studio and several other programs for free as part of an effort dubbed DreamSpark. Over the next year, Microsoft plans to offer the program worldwide for college and high school students.

In addition to giving away its Visual Studio tools, Microsoft is also providing no-charge access to its Expression Web design tools and its XNA studio for developing Xbox 360 software. Microsoft already provides discounted academic versions of its software, as well as a free "express" version of Visual Studio. Students can also get free copies of Windows Server and the developer version of the SQL Server database.

"You can go build software applications," said Joe Wilson, Microsoft's senior director of academic initiatives. "You can go build Web sites. You can do a really cool Facebook application...There are a lot of possibilities that comes with this small list of products.

Included in those initial 10 countries are the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France, and Germany.

Clearly, Microsoft has a couple of goals here. One is to get more students who have enough design or science aptitude to enter the software field. The other is to get them using Microsoft's tools early.

"That next generation and future generations of technologists, they are vital to any industry leader like us," Wilson said. Wilson said his goal is to be able five years from now to spot businesses that got their start because a student used Microsoft's tools for free.

"I expect that to happen," Wilson said. "Maybe it's hundreds or thousands of companies."

Bill Gates is set to discuss DreamSpark Tuesday in a speech to students at Stanford University.

[Penguinisto]

MSDNAA

...been around for year. Seems that the only thing that's changed is the facility fees...

/P

[t8]

Oooh if we give it to them for free...

Then maybe the next Facebook will run on Windows and we will gets heaps of money.

[maverick_nick]

Oooh...

If you grow a brain, you might be able to make a comment worth reading.

[s1kb0y]

Microsoft Only Has One Goal, Lock Them In.

As always, Microsoft only has one goal and not two, and that is to get them using their tools early on and then become Microsoft centric developers. There is absolutely nothing kind or good hearted about them giving their tools away.

It's just another move in the Microsoft lock-in strategy.

[cadaov]

Nobody's forcing you...

It's just another choice, just like open source tools, it's up to you if you want to use Microsoft's tools or Eclipse or whatever you like.

[Lee in San Diego]

Well to be fair

Apple has for a number of years been giving away free developer's
tools.

[42istheanswer]

They have always done this

at critical times. They have jumped in and done what needs to be done to gain market share. They are unrivaled masters at that. I've watched them do this from the start. Does anyone wonder why they are the most lucrative software company on the planet? Early on they gathered developers around them and the rest fell in place nicely. Developers are key players in the evolution of software...duh. You get them on your side and they will carry the torch the rest of the way. Linux fanboys only wish they had the same power. I've been in both worlds, and Visual Studio rocks! It has no rival.

Whether you like it or not, getting youngsters on your side early is the way to go if you are going to build brand loyalty.

Long live the eMpire!

[frankwick]

Apple...

This is what Apple has done for years. I remember collecting box tops that Apple would count as credit for Macs. This continued through college. For years, the only computer the university bookstore sold was Apple. They had an agreement to sell Macs at a lower price if they wouldn't sell another brand.

[sudeepivan]

Unfair that there is no India in this list

It is unfair that there is no India in this list. Especially when Microsoft says that India has some of the best talent in the world. How can they nuture this talent if they do not give it to the students in India. To read more visit my blog http://sudeepdsouza.blogspot.com/2008/02/free-microsoft-software-for-students.html

[42istheanswer]

tease

Maybe they were just joking around with India. Maybe the rug is going to jerked out from underneath them.

[mattflaschen]

Blatant loss leader

The title says it all, but true free software doesn't have these onerous use restrictions.

[maverick_nick]

Arg...

Why don't you go and post you silly comment on some Linux blog where someone will actually care what you have to say.

[Commander_Spock]

Uuumm.... Let's see "Included in those initial 10 countries...

... are the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France, and Germany..." So, it appears that of the "BRIC" Countries only one (China) is in on this Microsoft deal so far; so we have Brazil, Russia and India to go. Also, if Microsoft's Office is involved this might be a good opportunity with all of these youthful minds around the world and playing/experimenting with the development tools to find a cure for the "ERR" ACHILLES HEELS that continue to plague EXCEL. ;-) !

[mw20ants]

Old news

Perhaps some digging was in order before this story-produced-from-press-release was deemed complete. Microsoft has done this for years in the US. The MSDNAA/e-acadamy program allows free access to development tools, servers, etc. It exists ostensibly to better the education of IS-related students and also serves to skew the students' desire for MS tools and platforms when they enter the workforce. It's both generous and a good business move.

[Commander_Spock]

Sometimes too...

... you have to "teach the children" the truth about history (about how Windows morphed out of OS/2, EXCEL morphed out of Lotus 1-2-3...); and, eventually they will return to you/their "ROOTS"!

[Seaspray0]

Deeper roots...

"...and, eventually they will return to you/their "ROOTS"!"

The slide ruler and the abacus?

[ladyone57]

Microsoft's Free Tools

I think it is an interesting investment for Microsoft to help developers with its software tools. However, those of us who are attending college and universities could truly use the MS OFFICE 2007 being that it is widely used in school. Yes, there are a great many that can afford to buy the software, but there are many more that are not able to purchase the software. I believe this software would greatly benefit those of us in school as well as developers. It does make it rather difficult for those who do not have the software to interact in assignments with those who do have the software. The compatibility patch works wonders, but it is not like having the actual software, which adds much more versatility in completing a class project. Just a suggestion from one who needs but can't afford.

Thanks for listening,
Edna E. Fields