U might want to check with your university first, because some universities have some deal with microsoft that lets students get their software for free, i have it here, at georgia tech. That means you can use it for commercial puporses as far as I know. I had doubts about buying a Academic version but I noticed a website where a guy emailed Microsoft about the license and they said its has the same license as a retail copy. I plan on buying a copy myself when I go to college. The Academic version cost(check out the website below) about $85.95 which is very cheap and it has all the features of VS.net 2003 Pro.
Visual 2003 retails for over $1,000 but if you are a student you could buy the Academic version. If you are a student you could go to the website below to get a copy of Visual 2003.
