If you’re a student, or able to prove that you’re a student, it’s time to rejoice, as Microsoft is giving away for free various software program primarily from category of software developer and design tools. The offer, called Microsoft DreamSpark, is a long term promotion, currently provides free licenses, product keys and downloads of to the following list of full version Microsoft products with no charge, fee or payment required.
* Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition, which consists of JScript 8.0, Visual Basic 2008, Visual C# 2008 and Visual C++ 2008.
* Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition, which has additional Microsoft Visual J++/Microsoft Visual J# and Visual SourceSafe.
* Microsoft Expression Studio
* Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
* Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition
* XNA Game Studio 2.0
* Free access to XNA Creators Club Online
The DreamSpark giveaway software can only be downloaded by student, and each registrants must verified via Online Student Status Verification process that he or she is and still is a student of a accredited school, college, university or higher tertiary institutions during initial access and once a year subsequently. Currently, only students from 11 countries and regions, i.e. the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Germany, France, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Belgium can download setup files for free from DreamSpark, but more countries will be added in future, with Microsoft plans to extend the availability to all countries all over the world.
Online Student Status Verification process of DreamSpark is linked to schools and organizations around the world that can confirm student status, but not all is linked. Those who not locating in one of the countries listed, not attending an accredited university or the studied organizations is not already connected with DreamSpark will have to wait until the verification source is listed, or get an alternate student identity providers (IDPs), such as the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
Bill Gates also has an interview with Channel 8, where he talks about free software, students, and technology.
Microsoft has always offered significantly discounted and cheaper student price for most of its products, and the move to completely free giveaway its development and design tools is probably due to motive to maintain and gain its market share and acceptance among younger and future generation, which will hopefully always consider Microsoft products on future purchase due to familiarity.
Go to DreamSpark to select and download free Microsoft products. As usual with all Microsoft offers, Windows Live ID required in addition student status verification.
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