Microsoft has launched a new WebsiteSpark program for independent Web developers and companies that build Web applications and Web sites for others. The program enables qualified developers to receive FREE software, support and business resources from Microsoft for three years. The purpose is to help independent Web developers expand their business and build great Web solutions using ASP.NET, Silverlight, SharePoint and PHP.
WebsiteSpark provides the following free software licenses:
- 3 licenses of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
- 1 license of Expression Studio 3 (which includes Expression Blend, Sketchflow, and Web)
- 2 licenses of Expression Web 3
- 4 processor licenses of Windows Web Server 2008 R2
- 4 processor licenses of SQL Server 2008 Web Edition
- DotNetPanel control panel (enabling easy remote/hosted management of your servers)
The only two requirements to join the program are:
- Your company builds Web sites and/or Web applications on behalf of others.
- Your company currently has less than 10 employees.
If you meet these requirements, visit the WebsiteSpark website to enroll in the program. As part of the enrollment process, you can pick either a network referral partner (for example: a Web host or an existing Microsoft partner), or enter a referral code that you have received at an event or from a Microsoft employee. Or you can send an email to webspark@microsoft.com to get a referral code quickly.
Microsoft has created a new FTP service that has been completely rewritten for Windows Server 2008. The Microsoft FTP Service 7.5 for IIS 7.0 incorporates many new features that enable web authors to publish content better than before, and offers web administrators more security and deployment options. This new FTP service supports a wide range of features and improvements.
Download Microsoft FTP Service
Microsoft Expression Studio 3 is now available for a free 60 days trial. It’s a suite of professional design tools that give you the freedom to make your vision real—whether you’re designing for standards-based Web sites, rich desktop experiences, or Silverlight.
Design compelling user interfaces for the Web and desktop using Microsoft Expression, tools purpose built to compliment the industry leading development tool Visual Studio.
Prototype your ideas rapidly, engage and interact with your customers and get your projects off to a flying start, then immediately bring your prototypes to life without throwing anything away.
The suite includes Expression Web, Expression Blend, Expression Design and Expression Encoder.
Expression Studio 3 Free Trial
Top 10 Features of Expression Studio 3
Microsoft is releasing three Microsoft-developed Linux drivers to the Linux community for possible inclusion in the Linux source tree. The code will be released under the GNU General Public License v2 (not GPL v3) licensing agreement. Microsoft says this is a demonstration of its commitment to improving the integration of Windows and Linux.
Unlike with Windows, Linux drivers are considered part of the operating-system kernel. The Linux Foundation states “the Linux model is that IHVs (independent hardware vendors) get the source code for their driver accepted into the mainline kernel.” This is necessary to ensure that Linux runs properly on all hardware.
Story at ZDNet
Microsoft is applying its Community Promise to the C# programming language and Common Language Infrastructure (CLI). This means that anyone can freely build, sell, distribute or use programs with C# and the CLI without signing a license agreement or otherwise communicating to Microsoft. This applies to all distribution models including open source and GPL. Under the Community Promise, Microsoft will not assert its Necessary Claims.
In other words, build all you want with C# and .NET, Microsoft won’t sue you for copyright or patent infringement.
Specifically, this announcement applies to the ECMA 334 (C#) and ECMA 335 (CLI) specifications.
“The Community Promise is an excellent vehicle and, in this situation, ensures the best balance of interoperability and flexibility for developers,” said Scott Guthrie, Corporate Vice President for the .NET Developer Platform.
