>>>>For the moment my client is probably going to just go with VS2005 and we may try to step the project up to 2008 if that doesn't cause too many headaches. I was hoping to start with 2008, but they call the shots, and they want me to start on the project ASAP.
>>>
>>>Scott Guthrie on his blog suggest to download the evaluation method and to upgrade to the full license version whenever it will be available.
>>
>>I was thinking about that. Will that actually work? I know some of Microsoft's eval software requires uninstallation before installing a licensed version which can be a royal pain..
>
>From Scott's blog (http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2007/11/19/visual-studio-2008-and-net-3-5-released.aspx):
>
>>>>>>>>> 7. Can the trial version be upgraded to the full version by entering the product key purchased later?
>
>Yes. If you install the trial edition, you can upgrade to a full version you buy without having to reinstall the product.

That's close enough for me. My client is going to purchase 2008 as soon as it is available. For now, I'm using VS2008 Pro evaluation edition.