And I have downloaded Visual C#/C++/Basic express edition Beta.
Even the final product will cost only US$59 (or $49, I forget).
That is really value for Money for beginners like me. Still I 
mostly use GCC/Python since they are cross platform and free 
and I know not much about GUI framework yet.

Actually Windows is really value for Money especially when bundled
with a new PC. I do not think commercial Linux Desktop software is
anywhere near value for Money. They are simple too expensive.
I like to use Linux (more choice is always good) but I will never
want to buy a box set of whatever Linux. I will rather download 
Linux ISOs using my rather expensive broadband connection.

Microsoft Office is also way too expensive. The upgrade does not make
sense to most of the users. Office 97/2000 is good enough for most
of the users (even business users). Maybe Windows (new PC)+
OpenOffice is a good combination for companies. It is actually
more expensive to support Linux desktop for the normal Joe
user. I am worried about the commercialization of Debian and
other open source software. For servers that is another story. 
However I believe there will be a day that Linux Desktop become 
an possible alternative for Joe users as well but it takes time. 
Therefore I will still maintain a dual-boot system for myself and will
continue to use Windows XP/Office 2k in the company.

It is strange that when Win32 SDK (or Win16 SDK) came out, Microsoft
did not offer free compilers. It almost make Borland a strong
competitor of Microsoft. Too bad their execution was lousy
at the time.

Regards,
Xiaofan

-----Original Message-----
From: ChrisPicList [mailto:ChrisPicList@rocklizard.org]
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005 2:00 AM
To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public.
Subject: RE: [EE] I say it is spinach . . .
 
If you have XP SP1 or have installed the .NET Framework you also get the
compilers and other tools you need to build .NET based Windows, console
or web programs. If you want an IDE, several flavors are available free
at the MSDN web site.

-Chris

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