[stkdump]

I think you were able to buy VS Pro perpetual licenses for one time 500-1000 at all times. Of course they had higher tiers and a subscription model which were more expensive but in reality for most people there was little to no added value.

[cube00]

>subscription model which were more expensive but in reality for most people there was little to no added value

The value was the multiple CDs of MSDN documentation and code samples which where very handy considering the slim pickings on the internet in 1995.

These weren't included with an IDE perpetual license retail box.

[jambalaya8]

yeah. those msdn cd's were very valuable back then. it was before the market was flooded with tech books also. aside from Russinovich's stuff, you basically needed that cd set to do any hardcore windows coding up til probably 15ish years ago.