There are many trial versions of programs which are available from Microsoft 
and others which can be downloaded.  Many of these are limited to 30 days so 
you have to keep up the learning to get the training in for free but if you 
have most of the day to concentrate on learning you should be able to get a 
great education with just an average computer system (AMD Duron 800 or 
equivalent)and a good internet connection.  Many of these downloads are 30 
or more MB so if you are on a 56K modem they will download overnight if 
necessary. PWS are available even on win ME but probably you would be better 
having W2K but not necessary if budget constraints exist.

All the best - and keep learning.

Sincerely
Phil Hamm



>From: "Kathy Drew" <kathydrew@h...>
>Reply-To: "Interdev_Programming" <interdev_programming@p...>
>To: "Interdev_Programming" <interdev_programming@p...>
>Subject: [interdev_programming] Confusion about software required
>Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 15:14:30 -0400
>
>I have a copy of the book and I want to run through it becuase I have 
>become
>recently unemployed by a shut down dot.com.  I want to purchase a new
>computer, and I'm having trouble figuring out what does and does not come
>with Windows Professional 2000.  If I buy a new system, what other software
>will I have to obtain and what is the cheapest way to do that?  (ie. sql
>server, visual studio)  I am an SQL/server programmer and just had a glance
>at ASP/VBscript code in my late company. I thought from reading the book
>that everything I needed would be there if I bought Windows Professional
>2000, expcet perhaps SQL/Server but I think I wrong as I read about Windows
>Professional 2000.