Microsoft always has a soft corner for developers since they launched .Net at least as far as I know.
Yes, they have launched WebMatrix for developers, Visual Studio 2005 Express, Visual Studio 2008 Express, SQL Server Desktop Edition (MSDE), SQL Server Management Studio express, SQL Server Express Edition and many more tools for web development and windows application development
This list grows... I am missing Blend in this list L for obvious reason
Being a developer I am so excited about so many tools available for free to learn new technologies from Microsoft on Microsoft Technologies. These free tools make me up to date on technology. But I am still worried about there is no Operating system from Microsoft for developers for free or at cheaper costJ. Atleast for Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs)
As an individual I can buy Windows XP Home Edition or Windows Vista Home Edition but not Business Edition, Enterprise Edition or Ultimate Edition to check the features of the operating system
A week ago I got a Solaris Operating System Developer Edition from Sun Microsystem for freeJ.
Does Microsoft have any plan to encourage IT savvies at least for MCPs by introducing free or cheaper Operating System under some license.
This might help developers to stay upto date and away from piracy J even though I am not into J
I am sure no laymen would do pirated software. Only techies do. Free or cheaper version of Operating system may come down the piracy aswell. This is one of my zero cent ideas J