Visual Studio .NET 2005 Beta 1 is now available on MSDN subscriber downloads. 

And now there is also express eidtions of VB.NET , C# and SQL. These express editions are lightwieght versions, the SQL Express being the replacement for MSDE.  See Brian’s blog for comments on SLQ express, and Duncan’s blog for some more general info on the express editions.  Or if you can’t wait and want to find out for yourself, downlaod these express editions now from here.  Note: When you download and install the VB.NET express edition, setup will let you choose to download SQL Express.