So you want to learn how to develop on the Microsoft platform, but you don't want to spend any money ... what do you do?

First, if your goal is to learn, I ALWAYS recommend starting with the Next Big Thing, which means unreleased (typically beta) software. So … to learn .NET 3.5 (and 3.0 and 2.0), I would download Visual Studio 2008: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700830.aspx. It’s pretty mature. You can also download the full Team Suite and Team Foundation Server bits to get accustomed to the Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) aspects of the product line. You should be able to work with this beta for a few months and stay ahead of the curve.

If you’d really rather work with released bits, then download the trial of Visual Studio 2005, which works for a whopping 180 days: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/bb188238.aspx. Personally, I’d stick with the 2008 beta, though, unless you specifically need to learn 2005 for a job or something.

If your goal is to build PRODUCTION software for your own use (to run/manage a web site, etc.) or to sell, and you don’t want to spend any money, then download our Express editions: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/.

Finally, if you are looking to build software to sell, then join our Empower program: http://www.empowerforisv.com/?CID=7C2Q98F66C16SX. For $375, you get everything you need. For that price, it’s almost worth THINKING of a product to build and sell! The point of the program is to lead you to being a Certified Partner, so you sign up for a year with an option for a second year. After that, you have to become a Certified Partner (which costs a bit more) to receive the same benefits (plus a few more).

In addition to our primary development tools, most of our other products have excellent trial and/or beta downloads as well (or they’re simply free, like Windows SharePoint Services and IIS7). For example, you can download the Windows Server 2008 beta: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/bb383571.aspx. You can even evaluate Office, MOSS, and more: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/default.aspx.

There are so many resources for learning the Microsoft platform. The key is not to wait - just dive in and start learning!