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Announcing the release of Visual Studio 2005 Express Editions
Source: 
forums.microsoft.com/msdn
"I am proud to announce that today, November 7th 2005, we officially released the downloadable versions of Visual Studio 2005 Express on MSDN and they are free to download for one year!"
You can download Visual Studio Express from the links below:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vwd/download
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vb/download/default.aspx
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualcsharp/download/
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualc/download/
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualJ/download/
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/download/
Visual Studio Express is free for one year
"Until November 7, 2006, we are promotionally discounting the downloadable versions of Express to free. This doesn’t mean that the product turns off after a year, but rather that as long as you download the product before November 7, 2006, you can get it for free and you can use it forever."
Rewards for Registering
The other big news announced at the Visual Studio launch is the availability of the Visual Studio Express DIY Kit, which is a set of benefits you get for registering Express and includes:
250 royalty-free stock photography images from Corbis
Free Windows Icons from IconBuffet
Free eBooks including: Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition: Build a Web Site Now, Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition: Build a Program Now!, and Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition: Build a Program Now!
3rd party components from VSIP partners
And we have more benefits coming soon
Want More Information?
Take a tour of the newly revamped Visual Studio Express Edition Web site, read the Frequently Asked Questions, and as always, please tell us what you think 
We hope you enjoy Visual Studio Express as much as we do!
Sincerely,
The Visual Studio Express Team
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Get Ready for Visual Studio 2005 with Free* Microsoft E-Learning Courses and Clinics.
Source: 
microsoftelearning.com
Whether you are interested in creating Windows forms, building Web applications, implementing Data Access, or finding out about Visual Studio Team System, you can access the E-Learning topic you want, when you want it, and learn at your own pace. Each lesson includes hands-on virtual labs and offline functionality. These courses, valued at $99.00 each won't be free forever, so sign on today.
In addition, you may consider taking a free Microsoft Skills Assessment to help you meet your Visual Studio 2005 training goals. You'll receive a learning roadmap with additional skills resources including instructor-led classroom training and books. Take a skills assessment today.
For more information, visit the Visual Studio 2005 Learning Resources page. http://msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/learning