Can we go live with Visual Studio 2005 ?

I got the following email today from a reader:

---

Hi Frank,

We've initiated a large eCommerce project here at my organisation and we have decided to use Visual Studio .Net 2005 to develop the required web applications.

We are planning for a July/August 2005 live release. Legally, are we allowed to do this?

---

Finally a question I know the answer to:

The Visual Studio 2005 and .NET Framework 2.0 Beta 2 EULA will permit customers to deploy applications based on Beta 2 into production. This addendum is called the 'Go Live' license.
 
The Go Live license permits the deployment of ASP.NET, Windows Forms, and .NET Compact Framework applications.

There are several restrictions that you should be aware of:

• Microsoft does not offer formal support for the Beta 2. Informal community support is available via online forums and similar resources (see http://msdn.microsoft.com/community/ for a list of community resources)
• Customers may not distribute the .NET Framework 2.0 Beta 2 with their applications (for example: end users of an ISV application based on the Beta 2 must obtain the .NET Framework Beta 2 from Microsoft, and sign the Go Live license)

The Go Live license will be available as a click-through license on MSDN. The URL will be published in conjunction with the Beta 2 launch. 

For more information please contact vsgolive@microsoft.com.

[ Currently Playing : Dirty Hearts - Dallas Crane - Triple J Hottest 100 Volume 12 Disc 1 (02:29) ]