My *guess* is that MSDE will continue to be free while SQL Server 2000 Personal Edition will not be. I really don't know. If only MSDE is free, then you can always use Access 2000 to manage the database.
>Will either or both version(s) still be free?
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John Koziol, ex-MVP, ex-MS, ex-FoxTeam. Just call me "X"
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro" - Hunter Thompson (Gonzo) RIP 2/19/05