These lists will now be maintaned in the SQL Server & MSDE discussion forum.

Here's the best free MSDE / SQL Server tools that I've found ...

• DbaMgr
• Replaces SQL Server Enterprise Manager. Very feature complete.
• Use with the "free" SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE) or the full SQL Server
• Supports SQL scripting of database INSERTs - badly needed in SQL Server Ent. Mgr.
• Don't use this as a reliable table backup as I've found some generated scripts break.
• SQL Sever 7.0 and 2000 versions.
• Database Compare & Synchronize
• Compares schema of 2 SQL Server databases - Very useful!
• Last time I looked it compared table schemas but not relationships.
• Plans to eventually support Synchronization of DB schemas
• Requires .NET Framework 1.0 installed.

SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE) (Freeware SQL Server)

• Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine - Product Info
• Approved uses of MSDE
• Distributing the SQL Server Desktop Engine
• Explains the differences between Desktop Engine and full SQL Server.
• MSDN - Introduction to Microsoft Access 2000 Projects and the MSDE
• MSDN - MSDE for Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0
• Download MSDE 2000 for Developers Using Visual Studio .NET

MSDE Security

• Finding and Fixing Slammer Vulnerabilities
• Download the Cumulative Patch for SQL Server (October 2, 2002)
• Managing MSDE security
• Use SQL Data Management Objects to add Windows logins, database user accounts, and permissions.