I believe it's effectively been replaced by the free Community Edition.

nickpp · on Oct 19, 2009

Do you have any more data about this? I mean, the Standard edition included an optimizing compiler, libraries like ATL and MFC, etc.

Are you sure they will be free?

I knew about the free Express editions but Community... never heard of it.

gaius · on Oct 19, 2009

Sorry, I think I meant Express - got confused with Community Technical Preview.

The compiler is the same I believe - it's the tools you get with it that varies between editions.