Yes, free. Microsoft is doing a 200-city US tour over the next two months to promote Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server 2005, and BizTalk Server 2006. Not only is it an all-day event with speakers, classes, Q&A sessions, and more, but they're giving away a free copy of VS 2005 & SQL Server 2005 to all attendees (while supplies last). Best of all, it costs nothing to register.

So check out the Visual Studio 2005 Launch Tour site and register. And get free stuff. And then start developing -- believe me, the new tools are sweet.