With the technology landscape constantly changing and evolving around new tools, technologies and releases it can be challenging to keep up. In an effort to make it easier for students to use the latest tools, Microsoft set up the DreamSpark program in 2008 to provide students with software design and development tools at no charge. In order to get started with it follow these simple instructions:

1. Create an account at http://www.dreamspark.com

• Sign in with your Windows Live ID or create one.
• Get Verified…for example
• verify as a student > Get verified through my school > continue and use the filters on the left: US > Arizona > Arizona State University > Continue > [enter your ASURITE User ID and Password]

2. Download the tools you’re interested in…

• Visual Studio 2010 Professional
• Expression Blend
• SQL Server
• XNA Studio
• Kinect SDK
• and more…

Enjoy!