3rd party software

[Glenn]

It's unfortunate as I scan through the messages on this board and I realize the number of independent programmers out there that are trying to make do with the tools provided in VB or Studio.

Is anybody aware I of any resources in where people can get hold of 3rd party tools at reasonable prices ? For example, the general consensus is that the Package and Deployment wizard in VB sucks. However, the good tools (Installshield, Wise, etc..) all cost in the hundreds of dollars. It seems to me there would be a good market for older version of these packages, even if they didn't have all the new bells & whistles. Microsoft has the academic additions which allow students to get cheap copies of VB and Studio, however I don't see any of the 3rd party vendors stepping forward to do the same thing.

You would think that these companies would realize that these students will soon be in the corporate arena making software recommendations.

Just my 2 cents

[WadeD]

That's one of the reasons why Microsoft is Microsoft. Other companies don't think or act like them. Just my 2 cents...I realize people like to bash them.

[Glenn]

I'm not sure if people realize how big the Microsoft academic program is. Through it they sell most of their development tools and Office. It doesn't take much to qualify, all you need if proof of academic affiliation.

2 years ago I bought VB professional for $80 because I was teaching VB at a local technical college.

I definitely would like to see more companies do the same thing. I know there is many students that hangout here on this board.