Question related to this topic: If one were to use ASP.NET MVC 2, would one have to use Microsoft's development tools and Microsoft's servers, or are there viable open source alternatives?
You don't have to use their dev tools but I am not sure why you would not want to. You get tons out of the box with Visual Studio Express...and its free. You are also free to use the command line to compile your apps, but again I am not sure why you would want to.
Without plugin support Visual Studio is good as dead to me. I have several plugins which I consider essential, and I wouldn't put up with developing with a purposely crippled tool.
Are you talking specifically about the Express editions? Visual Studio has had plugin support for awhile. Resharper comes to mind immediately, among others.
It's a valid and worthwhile point to make. Outside of the Microsoft development community, it's very common for people to assume you must buy an expensive Microsoft product to develop on the platform (maybe because that was true at one point).
Anyone who spends much time talking about Microsoft development outside the MS community develops that preemptive "and it's free" reflex quickly.
