Windows DDK, $199?

[Radium]

Since when does Windows DDK cost $199?

I just checked and it said $199.

Why is it so expensive? It should be free...

[MrA]

I believe it was free. Now MS decided to charge for it. I remember was in the old days (win95/98) when the DDK was available online. I guess that stopped.

[+John Teacake MVC]

What is it exactly ?

[trad]

Windows Drivers Development Kits?

[Radium]

I was even close to driver development when the DDK was for free.

Then I heard that you only had to pay for the shipping cost, like $15 within the US.

...and now $199, that's just sick!

I have some outdated LIB-files, no way that I am going to pay $199 for that!

[azcodemonkey]

At least you don't need the Installable Filesystem Kit. That's $900, and doesn't come with MSDN subscriptions. :(

[Radium]

At least you don't need the Installable Filesystem Kit. That's $900, and doesn't come with MSDN subscriptions. :(

Oh my god!

We are paying for their compiled software, then we need to pay 10 times more to develope for it? It's disgusting!

Look at Linux! Everything is wide open! Microsoft is gearing up, New Fort Knox.

What does the Filesystem Kit do?

How much does the MSDN Subscription cost?

[azcodemonkey]

The Universal subscription is $2,800 retail, but you can find it cheaper. The IFS kit gives you the ability to write kernel mode file system drivers and file system filters. If enough developers complain about it, it will probably end up in MSDN again.

[MrA]

The IFS kit may cost a fortune, but a GPL version or ntifs.h is available from bo branten. And don't even try to make an IFS driver. They're sometimes refered to as the king of drivers since they're so hard to program. I'm considering writing one, but then again, I'm strange,

[azcodemonkey]

The IFS kit may cost a fortune, but a GPL version or ntifs.h is available from bo branten.  And don't even try to make an IFS driver.  They're sometimes refered to as the king of drivers since they're so hard to program.  I'm considering writing one, but then again, I'm strange,

Tried using that ntifs.h before. It's mildly outdated.

I'm actually quite interested in making an IFS driver. But it will be for the learning experience. Kernel mode things are much more interesting that user mode. A project I am doing for a client is going to have a virtual file system written by the kings of file system development, OSR. I've been trying to convince my boss to send me to one of OSR's seminars on file system driver writing to no avail. Now, if I can just find time to learn all the things I want to, I'll be set. :)

I guess I shouldn't complain about the $900 MS charges for its kit. OSR charges $90K for their kit.

[itsnotabigtruck]

@weenur: That would be cool. gnome-vfs for Windows. Will you make it available for free download when you're done?

Also, only the "DDK Suite" (includes the Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 DDKs, training CDs, other stuff) costs $200. The Windows Server 2003 DDK (which supersedes and is compatible with the Windows XP DDK) is available for only S&H.

[azcodemonkey]

@weenur: That would be cool. gnome-vfs for Windows. Will you make it available for free download when you're done?

Also, only the "DDK Suite" (includes the Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 DDKs, training CDs, other stuff) costs $200. The Windows Server 2003 DDK (which supersedes and is compatible with the Windows XP DDK) is available for only S&H.

gnome-vfs? :huh:

The DDK Suite doesn't contain the IFS, tho. I get the normal DDKs with MSDN anyhow, so it isn't a problem.

[Radium]

Microsoft would gain more in the "Linux vs. Windows" war if they made development cheaper.

Get a free compiler (console application only), documentation and examples (smaller examples, more like templates).

This is just SICK! They are too greedy!

[azcodemonkey]

Microsoft would gain more in the "Linux vs. Windows" war if they made development cheaper.

Get a free compiler (console application only), documentation and examples (smaller examples, more like templates).

This is just SICK! They are too greedy!

Well, you can get the .NET Framework SDK which comes with a C# compiler and the VB compiler, but no IDE. Also, the latest DDKs come with the C/C++ compiler.

If you're doing professional development, you're going to pay for good tools regardless of the platform. Unix toolsets are very expensive. For hobbyist development, where time isn't a critical factor, there are plenty of free tools available for all platforms. Time is money.