If you’re a student, then you can download a myriad of Microsoft professional software for free thanks to Microsoft’s Dreamspark program. This software is the complete version just like the ones that are sold at stores that sell for $$. There’s a suite of goodies for developers and a few things for designers as well. Microsoft does verify your student status and it does this annually. Also, here are a few other requirements to obtain the free Microsoft software tools.

* A PC with a Windows OS®
* An Internet connection (broadband suggested)
* An Internet browser
* A Windows Live ID account

This was just leaked by Charles van Heusen, a Microsoft employee. He posted “the proposed Office 2007-for-Office 2010 exchange program on his blog, and later pulled down the entry” according to Appscout who found out from Ars Technica.

Here is what they know – “Under the program, a customer who purchases Office 2007 from an authorized Microsoft partner between March 5 – September 30, 2010, and who installs it by Sept. 30, is eligible for a free upgrade to Office 2010 by Oct. 31.”

It’s too bad I bought mine before those dates. This is a great incentive to buy, however will Microsoft still honor the special now that it has been leaked or was all of this intentional to create buzz?

If you have an e-commerce website or a web server, and need a secure sockets layer (SSL), which provides security and data encryption for your website over the Internet, then look no further. SSL’s aren’t cheap, but here is a way to get it for free. Thanks to an Israeli company called StartSSL you get free SSL for a whole year! The free SSL offered validates domains and email accounts thus securing your web server and your mail traffic, respectively.

Microsoft Windows 7

IT professionals, developers, and software enthusiasts, attend a free live event presented by Microsoft. There will presentations about Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Exchange Serve 2010. In return for your time, Microsoft will give you a brand spanking new Windows 7 for Free. Check the Microsoft site for a location near you. You must register for the event and realize that this event happens one day only in select cities. This offer expires November 10, 2009 while supplies last so hurry and register!