DreamSpark

DreamSpark is a program set up by Microsoft to provide students with software design and development tools at no charge. The program was originally available for university/college students in Belarus, Belgium, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, the U.K. and the U.S. but has now been expanded to more than 80 countries and is offered to many high school students.^[1] To register, students must visit the Dreamspark Website and verify their identity.

The DreamSpark program was announced by Bill Gates on February 19, 2008 during a speech at Stanford University.^[1][2] It is estimated that up to 35 million students will be able to access these software titles free of charge through this program.^[3]

Verification

Proof of student status is required for access to the downloads and product key of the products. Students visit the DreamSpark website to verify their identity. ISIC cards, access codes ordered by school administrators, and .edu email addresses are the ways DreamSpark verifies students. Students remain verified for 12 months afterwards.

Products offered

Several development software titles are available for download through the program. They include:^[4]

Commercial products available for free through DreamSpark

• Visual Studio 2008 and 2010 Professional Editions
• Expression Studio 2 (includes Web, Blend, Design, Encoder and Media)
• Expression Studio 3 (includes Web, Blend, Design and Encoder)
• Expression Studio 4 Ultimate (includes Web+SuperPreview, Blend+SketchFlow, Design and Encoder Pro) (without codecs)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Developer Edition (x86 and x64)
• Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition, with SP2 32-bit^{[citation needed]}
• Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition 32-bit
• Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard Edition x64
• Windows Embedded CE 6.0 although not R2 or R3.
• Windows Embedded Compact 7
• Windows Embedded Standard 7

Free products also downloadable from DreamSpark

• Visual Studio Express 2010 and 2008 and SQL Server Express
• Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 R3 and Microsoft CCR and DSS Toolkit 2008
• XNA Game Studio 4.0
• Virtual PC 2007
• Windows Phone Developer Tools
• Windows MultiPoint Mouse SDK
• Windows Internet Explorer 9
• Microsoft Small Basic
• Kodu Game Lab
• Microsoft Mathematics

DreamSpark offers

• 12-Month Academic Trial Membership to XNA Creators Club
• One free Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist exam voucher
• $99 waiver on Windows Marketplace for Mobile and first 5 submissions free
• Microsoft IT Academy Student Pass (free e-learning courses to verified students)
• pluralsight training free 90-day subscription for more info click here

Past products offered

• Expression Studio 1 (included Web, Blend, Design, Encoder and Media)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition (x86 only)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Developer Edition (x86 and x64)
• Visual Studio 2005 Express
• Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition
• XNA Game Studio 3.1

See also

• MSDN Academic Alliance

References

1. ^ ^{a b} PC World - Microsoft Gives Software to Nurture Future Coders
2. ^ Video - Microsoft Gives Students Access to Technical Software at No Charge to Inspire Success and Make a Difference
3. ^ Microsoft DreamSpark Ignites Interest | WebProNews
4. ^ DreamSpark FAQs

External links

• DreamSpark website