Labview 8.5.1 Now available for download

[B.Johnston]

I assume they don't care if this is out there for everyone because:

1) Even though it is the "Full Version" of LabView it seems to be a FIRST specific distribution.

2) It will shut itself off in a little over a year.

3) If someone outside of FIRST gets it and learns it and then starts using it and then gets dependent on it they are going to be out of luck in a year and will be forced to buy it.

4) It is version 8.5.1 and the latest version seems to be 8.6. I assume we will be getting 8.6 in a box with actual CDs in the KoP in January.

Exactly ... except #4 - 8.5.1 will probably still be the Jan release due to perceived stability advantages as mentioned in other programming threads.

#3 is a great way to 'earn' new converts to a product and #1 will promote interest in FIRST, or at least knowledge of FIRST.

Lastly #2 it all goes ............ in a year.

Any commercial endeavour knows the value of genuine licenses resides in the support you receive. And I'll bet that our license entitles us to all the energy, skill and enthusiasm of those NI people we've met over the past few months(seasons) to build a FIRST robot and not much in the direction of developing a commercial application on the cheap.