[Mr. Jeeves]

I don't think Microsoft gives much of anything away for free, that at least doesn't require one of their other products to operate, or especially only to foreign countries.

Only the new minimal "student" .NET development tools. The best bargain they offer is the MSDN Universal subscription - $2,500 a year, but you get developer licenses and installation DVDs for just about every enterprise product they sell.

[Golden Eagle]

Only the new minimal "student" .NET development tools.

Thanks, that's what I thought. Unfortunately some posters are so obsessed with Microsoft they try to change the subject whenever the dangers of these givaways by IBM and others to foreign countries are discussed. If Microsoft suddenly gave all their software to the world for free, they'd suddenly love them, since that's obviously their ultimate motivation.