I love Microsoft. I make my living with Microsoft. I wish they would give away for free Microsoft Access. It is a great tool that is under used. If it were given away it could launch many a new business and many a new software developer. It would also seed the market for SQL Server as Access databases graduate to a real backend db. And, finally, it would increase dependency on Microsoft products.
MICROSOFT ARE YOU LISTENING?
They do give away SQL for free.
http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/editions/express.aspx