Part of my job is to help people find valuable resources. I especially like it when they are free. Free is good. These links are for students, faculty and professional (or non professional) developer. Please check these links out, visit the websites, find what looks interesting and download the tools.
VS Express 2012 RC for Windows 8 Download on VS Site Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows 8 provides the core tools that are required to build compelling, innovative Windows Store apps. And its free.
VS Express 2012 RC for Windows 8 & Windows 8 Release Preview Downloads on Dev Center This link brings you to the Windows 8 Development Center with a large collections of links for tools, software development kits and a link to the Windows 8 Development Center where you can get a limited time evaluation copy of Windows 8.
How to Develop a Windows 8 App in 30 Days
Phone SDK Download
The Windows Phone Software Development Kit (SDK) 7.1 and 7.1.1 Update provides you with all of the tools that you need to develop apps and games for both Windows Phone 7.0 and Windows Phone 7.5 devices.
The Windows Phone SDK 7.1.1 Update provides additional functionality to the existing Windows Phone SDK 7.1. Using this update, you can more easily develop apps and games that are optimized to run on 256-MB devices.
How to Develop a Windows Phone App in 30 Days
Now that you have taken on the 30-day challenge to build a Windows Phone app, let's get down to the brass tacks. How to start? What happens next? Where to get a device to test your app? How to make money on your app? Help is at hand at each step of the way. The schedule below highlights themes and how you can make the most of each week with training, resources and support. Your journey begins here.
Generation App – Where Ideas Meet Code
If you have an app idea that's ready to build, you can find the expertise you need to make your app a reality at Elance.com. The world's leading platform for online employment, Elance connects entrepreneurs with qualified online professionals and provides the tools needed to hire, view in-progress work, and pay for the end results on an hourly or by-project basis.
Azure 90-day Free Trial Azure is Microsoft’s big cloud offering. This site lets you sign up for a 90 day free trial so that you can try Azure out and learn more about cloud computing. Visit the Azure 90-day Free Trial website for the details and fine print.