Not free Visual Studio 2005 in the UK ;)

Hot on the heels of this topic, I went a-hunting for cheap or free copies of Visual Studio 2005 Standard Edition in the UK.

A bit of a Google led me to the ubiquitous "price comparison" sites. I always have a large pinch of salt ready whenever visiting those sites and I think I might need it because they are listing prices of £35!

However, all that is being sold is the academic version, for which you need to be a student to legally obtain the license. So, my question is this:

What happens in the hypothetical situation whereby I order my academic version of Visual Studio and I get it home and need to register it. Do Microsoft demand proof positive of my studentness or do they assume that the retailer has already made this distinction before selling me their software?

In short, can I blag it?

Why not download the free express version from Microsoft's website?

I have, but the standard edition would be nice to have. The express version does have its limitations.

I'm always amazed to see questions like this on a site full of programmers. You'd think programmers of all people would be against piracy.

As far as I know in order to register an academic edition software (such as computer languages, modelling packages and the such) you have to send a proof enrollment in a college or a university to product's company. Some companies extend this kind of license to certain academic employees as well, as professors or researchers. Maybe you could override the licensing scheme, but it defies the whole point of buying a product if you can't use it legally.

I guess.

I know I'll end up buying the real thing one day. Probably when Visual Studio 2010 is out ;)