Windows Mobile 5/VB 2008 Beta

Hi. I have finaly changed over to .Net, and am currently trying get started on mobile development as well. I have a SPV M600(Orange branded Smartphone) that is running Windows Mobile 5. I tried to install the Windows Mobile 5 SDK, but it produces and error and sends me to a page to download the VB 2008 Beta . I have a Vista Home Premium machine, with VB 2005 Express Edition installed. Do i definatly need to upgrade to VB 2008 Beta, Is there not a "Production" development enviroment i can use, or is it because i am using the express edition that it gives me the error.

Also from what i understand VB 2005 Express Edition is the free version of VB.NET, what are the actual diffference between the 2. Is the syantax slighly different or what? Do i need to get the paid-for version to be able to legaly distribute my apps or what, i am slightly confused.

I apologise if these questions seem a bit stupid.

Thanks for your help.

Hi,
Express doesn't support mobile development - you need VS2005 Standard Edition as a minimum

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700921.aspx

Pete

I see. I looked on the microsoft website, and i was not able to find visual basic 2005 standard edition, just visual studio. I assume it is not possible to get the 1 language version on its own any more. Just wondering as £150 just to write a few apps for my smartphone as a hobbyist seems a little expensive lol.

Hi,
that has been a complaint ever since VS was released, and eVB support was totally dropped.
You don't actually NEED VS to develop, but it is difficult to manage without it.

Sorry

Pete