Is no-cost desktop software development dead on Windows 8?

Microsoft's core focus with Windows 8 is to introduce a new set of applications that are touch friendly, fullscreen, and designed to match the company's Metro design. Windows developers who wish to create Metro style apps will be able to take advantage of Microsoft's free-to-use Visual Studio 11 Express, but those who want to keep creating desktop applications may need to pay for the privilege.
Ars Technica reports that Microsoft's free upcoming Visual Studio 11 Express environment will only let developers create Metro style applications and nothing desktop-related. The change demonstrates Microsoft's focus on Metro style apps, but there's concern that the barrier to building Windows 8 deskt... »read more

More at: TheVerge Add additional source