From the Associated Press:
Microsoft Corp. is giving students free access to its most sophisticated tools for writing software and making media-rich Web sites, a move that intensifies its competition with Adobe Systems Inc. and could challenge open source software’s popularity.
The Redmond-based software maker said late Monday it will let students download Visual Studio Professional Edition, a software development environment; Expression Studio, which includes graphic design and Web site and hybrid Web-desktop programming tools; and XNA Game Studio 2.0, a video game development program.
The company will also give away SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition and Windows Server Standard Edition.
Very smart.
Now, Apple, about the non-Java version of WebObjects and the Enterprise Objects Framework….
…and the iPhone SDK?
Seriously though, this stuff should probably have been free a long time ago and it’s something that Apple should consider as well. Getting people using Windows Server early, or XNA Game development tools will undoubtedly bolster mindshare.
When I was teaching in the local college, the only tools available for “web” development were Word and Powerpoint (yes, I know!!!!!), though later we were provided with Frontpage. We weren’t given a test server. We didn’t have access to a public web folder.
My solution was to provide them with a MAMP setup, each with their own account and get them to use FTP and Notepad.
So, come on Apple. Come on….people who…like…Linux – find a way to compete.