What free Microsoft software should I download?

[Baby Tats]

I found out that I can download any of this (PC only) software for free through school. I get to keep it as well. So while I have the opportunity, what should I take advantage of downloading? I already downloaded Access, Visio, MapPoint, Vista, and Win 2K, but I wasn't sure if there was anything else on this list that is too valuable to pass up. Since it isn't prohibited, I am going to install them on my MacBook when I get it. Here is the full list:

.NET Framework SDK 1.1
Academic Resource Kit .NET CD1 Teaching Resources
Academic Resource Kit .NET CD2 Technology Resources
Access 2003
Access 2007
InfoPath 2003
InfoPath 2003 Toolkit for Visual Studio Tools for Office 2005
InfoPath 2007
MapPoint 2004 European - Run Disc (2/2)
MapPoint 2004 European - Setup Disc (1/2)
MapPoint 2004 North America - Run Disc (2/2)
MapPoint 2004 North America - Setup Disc (1/2)
MapPoint 2006 Standard Edition (North American Maps) - Disc 1
MapPoint 2006 Standard Edition (North American Maps) - Disc 2
MELL - Developer Edition for MSDNAA
MSDN Library for Visual Studio 2005 - CD1
MSDN Library for Visual Studio 2005 - CD2
MSDN Library for Visual Studio 2005 - CD3
OneNote 2003
OneNote 2007
Project Professional 2003
Project Professional 2007
SharePoint Designer 2007
SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition
SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
SQL Server 2000 SP3a
SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition - 32-bit - CD1
SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition - 32-bit - CD2
SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition - 64-bit Extended - CD1
SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition - 64-bit Extended - CD2
SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition Beta 2
SQL Server 2005 Express Edition
SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition - 32-bit - DVD
SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition - 64-bit Extended - DVD
SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition - 32-bit - DVD
Virtual PC 2004
Visio for Enterprise Architects
Visio Professional 2003
Visio Professional 2007
Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition
Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition
Visual J# 2005 Express Edition
Visual SourceSafe 2005
Visual SourceSafe 6.0d
Visual Studio .NET 2003 Professional - Full Install
Visual Studio .NET Academic Student Tools 2003
Visual Studio .NET Academic Teaching Tools 2003
Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition CD1
Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition CD2
Visual Studio 2005 Standard Edition CD1
Visual Studio 2005 Standard Edition CD2
Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite - CD1
Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite - CD2
Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite - CD3
Visual Studio 2005 Tools for the Microsoft Office System
Visual Studio 6 Pro - Disc 1
Visual Studio 6 Pro - Disc 2
Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition
Windows 2000 Professional (with SP4)
Windows 98 Second Edition
Windows CE .NET 4.2 Disc 1
Windows CE .NET 4.2 Disc 2
Windows CE .NET 4.2 Disc 3
Windows CE .NET 4.2 Disc 4
Windows CE .NET 4.2 Disc 5
Windows CE .NET 4.2 Disc 6
Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
Windows Server 2003 Web Edition
Windows Vista Business CD1
Windows Vista Business CD2
Windows Vista Business CD3
Windows Vista Business CD4
Windows Vista Business CD5
Windows Vista Business DVD
Windows XP Embedded
Windows XP Professional (Single User) 64bit Edition
Windows XP Professional with SP2 (Single User) ISO Image

[silvarios]

Definitely one or more of the operating systems. I would suggest XP Pro SP2, Vista, and if you are into server stuff, Windows Server 2003.

As for the other stuff. What are you studying in school? Are you a programmer?


Nathan

[maurycy]

Wow, you can get $10K software (Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite) for free?

[Baby Tats]

[quote silvarios]As for the other stuff. What are you studying in school? Are you a programmer?
Not really, not yet. I am studying mechatronics so at some point I will get into more programming but as of now I am not programming. Next semester I will start C so I guess Visual C# 2005 Express Edition will be what I need?

BT

[Baby Tats]

[quote maurycy]Wow, you can get $10K software (Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite) for free?
Well not actually free, I had to pay tuition this semester. I am guessing Microsoft does this to get people "hooked". Kinda like a pusher giving you your first bag of heroin for free.

BT

[Greg the dogsitter]

[quote Baby Tats]Well not actually free, I had to pay tuition this semester.
:-)

[MGS_forgot_password]

If you want to learn C, stay away from the MS stuff. Just use the Developer Tools.

Of course, I may be biased. I learned C by programming command-line stuff on unix boxes many, many years ago.

[edgarbc1]

outside of that list, for the entire world to download
there are 'power toys' for xp which are functional add-on
features... there is a multiple desktop power toy (similar to Lepoard's
Spaces) and a resizing picture tool which i find to be useful

[TLB]

I'd definitely snag Visio and Project to have for upper level engineering projects.