Last week, Google and SlashDot were abuzz about a new program from Microsoft, called DreamSpark. It allows students from eleven countries, including the United States, to download some of Microsoft's core proprietary developer tools. They range from Microsoft Expression Studio, the company's upstart Dreamweaver competitor, to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition.
In Microsoft's own words,
DreamSpark is simple, it's all about giving students Microsoft professional-level developer and design tools at no charge so you can chase your dreams and create the next big breakthrough in technology - or just get a head start on your career.
Sun, of course, has been at the leading edge of this free software thing. And then some. Its commitment to open source software is motivated by the recognition that companies that are able to harness communities to drive development will set the next generation of technology standards.
Microsoft hasn't yet made the leap, but is clearly feeling pressure from the OSS community to put its products in the hands of tomorrow's thought leaders. Now if only textbooks were free.