>>http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/05/no-cost-desktop-software-development-is-dead-on-windows-8/
>
>If you read between the lines of this screed it is clear the only news is choices will become limited for free version users of Visual Studio. Microsoft wants everyone to embrace Windows 8, Metro, and all that. I am only partially convinced about that path but don't have a lot of sympathy for developers who think they're entitled to a free lunch. If you're a serious developer you consider the cost of VS upgrades and/or MSDN a cost of doing business. Professionals are not being deprecated in any way.

Agree, but only in part. If they offered "desktop-express" versions still cut down to one language for 99$
my agreement would be total. Offering bundles and free express versions was very generous, only bundles not so well.

my 0.018$

thomas