There are several, but it does depend on the modules you are downloading. You can go straight to CPAN and build and install them yourself. This is very easy for modules without a C (XS) component.

For those with C components then you *might* be able to use one of the free C compilers. For example MinGW from GNU, or even Microsoft Visual C++ Express Edition. I have used both with ActiveState Perl (although not 5.6) however I do sometimes get runtime-library problems - and you will find more on perlmonks. Extensive testing is absolutly critical.

ActiveState use Microsoft Visual Studio 6, which has been unsupported for a long time, but maybe you can find someone in your organisation with a copy.

In reply to Re: ActiveState Perl 5.6 package repository password protected? by cdarke
in thread ActiveState Perl 5.6 package repository password protected? by fwashbur

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