MSDN Documentation Library (huge) now free for the first time

[mouser]

For the first time, we're making the MSDN Library freely available for download from Microsoft Downloads. Previously, the Library was only available for download to MSDN subscribers. The current download is the May 2006 Edition and future editions will also be available when we release them.
...
MSDN Library provides access to essential programming information, including technical white papers, software development kits and code samples necessary to develop web services and applications. This is an updated version of the MSDN Library for Visual Studio® 2005.

Blog entry: http://blogs.msdn.com/robcaron/archive/2006/07/26/678897.aspx

Download page: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=373930CB-A3D7-4EA5-B421-DD6818DC7C41&displaylang=en

[mitzevo]

This is good news .

[crono]

Cool - no more need to buy MSDN Libary CDs on ebay

[Carol Haynes]

I bet this is part of their response to the EU issue over freely available documentation (for which MS is currently being fined large amounts daily for non compliance).

[Josh]

Actually, they wanted to make it freely available for users of visual studio express editions. That was their primary motivation per their press releases.

[Carol Haynes]

can you see them saying otherwise ... if they did it would be an admission of treating the EU courts with contempt (which they probably do but would be stupid to be seen doing)