[SnozBerries]

I completely agree with darrylb.

I'm a developer. I bought VS 2003 for home use, and I write little freeware apps in my spare time because I can. I'm not looking to make any money on it. Even if I were, the costs of VS 2005 is nothing compared to the time/costs required to build/test/publish/support a commercial software product.

[SnozBerries]

I completely agree with darrylb.

I'm a developer. I bought VS 2003 for home use, and I write little freeware apps in my spare time because I can. I'm not looking to make any money on it. Even if I were, the costs of VS 2005 is nothing compared to the time/costs required to build/test/publish/support a commercial software product.

[Kris Kumar]

Originally Posted by cortez

let me ask a different question: what (if any) benefits are there to using Visual Studio 2005 with the new SDK? for example, will Smartphone apps (for WM 2005) behave differently, use less memory, be more stable? can they be used on Smartphones and PocketPC's? thanks in advance for your answers.

The new SDK (for Windows Mobile 5.0) and .NET Compact Framework 2.0 together expose a lot of new functionality : access to the built-in hardware modules like the GPS, Bluetooth, Camera; it also enables a notifications system, developers can hook into events like new mail, call, battery low etc...

All these new and cool functionality will be accessible using the VS 2005 .NET only. :-( VS 2005.NET lets you develop for both Pocket PCs and Smartphones.

[Kris Kumar]

Originally Posted by darrylb

Personally - I dont think that this will be a big deal. Developing a product that is market ready is not something that many non-developers do anyway, and most who are capable of developing and releasing an app to the market will either have the tools or will be willing to pay the relatively small price to get them anyway (looking at the ROI, etc).

I agree that decent applications takes a lot of serious development effort. But having access to freebie tools, enables creative guys to put something out in the market, get feedback and improve upon it. ;-) With the new system, they will have to shell out $$$ first. I think that stops the further thought process right there. :-(

As for me, I am not a developer but an enthusiast, I usually like to play with the SDK and Development tools to get an idea for what is in it. And then see if I can help the community by providing helpful answers. The fact that I cannot even install the SDK for reference docs is bugging me a lot. :evil: And the thought that I cannot write a single line of code for WM 5.0 is bugging me even more. :roll:

[Soyale]

Don't forget, you can also get hold of Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2 for a very nominal cost if you want to try out the new features and see if you think it's a tool worth buying.

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/get/

James

[Robert Levy]

Ok here's the deal...

The SDK itself has a number of technical (not political) dependencies on Visual Studio which is why VS must be installed first. Plans to have a free .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SDK are unchanged. The reference documentation for Windows Mobile 5.0 is now online in the MSDN Library. A free standalone emulator for Windows Mobile 5.0 is in the works (this is something we've never done before) and will be available once we've worked out a few bugs in the installer.

[Kris Kumar]

Originally Posted by Robert Levy

Ok here's the deal...

The SDK itself has a number of technical (not political) dependencies on Visual Studio which is why VS must be installed first. Plans to have a free .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SDK are unchanged. The reference documentation for Windows Mobile 5.0 is now online in the MSDN Library. A free standalone emulator for Windows Mobile 5.0 is in the works (this is something we've never done before) and will be available once we've worked out a few bugs in the installer.

Thanks Robert

Standalone emulator, MSDN documentation and free .NET CF SDK will definitely help the mobile developer community and the enthusiasts. :clap:

Does Microsoft have any plans to have trial versions of VS.NET 2005? If the tools are not free, then there are two options:
1. Provide trial versions, so that budding mobile developers can experiment.
OR
2. Make VS.NET 2005 free for non-commercial purposes. [this one is tricky] ;-)

[Soyale]

I anticipate that we will make trial versions available although I'm not directly responsible for that decision it is certainly in our interests.

It's unlikely we'll make the tools available for "non-commercial use".

Regards

James

[darrylb]

Adding to the already strong MS response :-)

VS2005 is currently available for download via http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/get/default.aspx. In addition, you can order the DVD from country specific order pages. Here in New Zealand you can get Visual Studio 2005 B2 for free on DVD (it includes SQL 2005 too) from http://www.microsoft.com/nz/evaluate...ts/vs2005.aspx (NOTE - NZ ONLY).

Once the product has RTM'd there is normally free trials available for download/order (this is currently the case with VS2003), but like James I'm not in charge of such decisions and cant say one way or another.

[Kris Kumar]

Originally Posted by darrylb

Adding to the already strong MS response :-)

Microsoft sure has outnumbered the developer response. ;-)

Hey Developers! Where are you folks hiding...come out and support the cause for free tools. :lol: :rotfl:

[Kris Kumar]

Originally Posted by darrylb

Once the product has RTM'd there is normally free trials available for download/order (this is currently the case with VS2003), but like James I'm not in charge of such decisions and cant say one way or another.

When will the product pricing information become available? Is there a plan for $299 version of VS .NET 2005?