"Al_C" <ac****@bicnet.net> wrote in message news:Oy**************@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
What is the future of VB express?
We're doing an app in VB2003 and like some of the VB controls in VS2005.
Is VB Express a serious product? Let's face it, the price makes me wonder? Free is never forever ;)
I don't have an issue with buying VB2005, but I don't see it.
What's with the express version? Is it another way of saying betazoid?
Will usoft support those of use that use VB express when VB2005 comes out?
Thanks,
To add a bit to what Andy said. VB Express is a trimmed down version of Visual Basic 2005 that comes with Visual Studio 2005
Standard Edition and higher. From what I have read, it is targeted at new programmers wishing to learn VB. Also, you are
correct, it is not free forever. It is a "Free to Download" product from Microsoft , for the next year. After that, if someone
wants to obtain it, they will have to pay for it. Those that have downloaded it during that year, can continue to use it (free
of charge) as long as they like. It is simply a marketing method to get new users for VB and other Microsoft programming
products. You can also download C#, C++, and other Express Products too. All are seperate downloads and not available in a
single IDE like Visual Studio 2005 Standard and above.
I run VB Express on my cheapy , Wal-Mart Black Friday, laptop ( HP-Ze2308Wm) and it runs pretty good.
Oh, and all the other versions are out as far as I can tell. You can order them from Amazon right now.
james