Just in case you've not been watching, Microsoft has announced the MSRP line up for SQL Server 2005, including a re-affirmation of a what's already been a great story and a huge advance in the position of the product (at least IHMO).
First off, SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (SSX) has been confirmed “free license to use.” That doesn't mean that its “free as in Open Source,” but free as in “you don't have to buy a CAL or CPU license for it.” SSX lacks many of the performance limitations that made MSDE less than desirable for a many reasons.
Second is the annoucement of the Workgroup Edition. I think of the as Super-SSX since it appears that the bigger differences are:
Continues here.