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Microsoft not only provides free software, it provides you with mentors and marketing help and other invaluable services. If your company is planning on building around Microsoft, say you are .net developer, this is great, but for many others it just means selling your soul for short-term gain without thinking about the future of your company. It's like that old ad from years ago: "You can pay me now or you can pay me later."

Make no mistake about it, Microsoft is in the business of selling software, not giving it away, and their long-term goal is to make you a paying customer. If you go in with your eyes open, you won't be surprised when it's time to pay the piper.

Microsoft Offers Startups Free Software, but Be Wary