I want to give support to a post written on our User Group by Marco Santoni regarding MSDN License: why not a reducted license just like MSDN Professional Edition, but for the home developer?
Microsoft has never think to a program like this that, in my opinion, could be a great choice for all developers (or students) that want to be in touch with Microsoft's products without spending too much money.
I think that actually MSDN Professional Edition could be a good choice for a small company, but for a single developers (that for example wants a license to work at home) will be wonderful if we could have less products (maybe only OS and Visual Studio) with a cost from 1199$ (actual MSDN Professional) to something around 500-600$ maximum.
I know that Microsoft has done a big step in this direction with the Express Family, but a complete MSDN License (with OS) for the single developer could have lots of advantages for all, expecially:
- More developers will embrace Microsoft world
- Piracy reduction
- Microsoft will have a new business from people that actually don't have a personal MSDN license.
So, I've launched again a new idea to Microsoft. Spread the world... I hope they will listen the community again! 