WHAT YOU NEED TO BEGIN

You need to download Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition, available at the time of this writing at http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express/visualc/. Alternatively, you can order a CD online from http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/get/order/. In addition, you need the following:

• PC with a speed of at least 600MHz (1GHz recommended)

• Windows XP, Windows 2000, or Windows 2003 Server

• At least 128MB of Random Access Memory (RAM) (256MB recommended)

• At least 1.3GB of hard disk space

• A display capable of 800×600 256 colors (1024×768 high color, 16-bit recommended)

• Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device

A CD or DVD drive is required.