MS WebsiteSpark
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Ah, that would explain it, thanks. For some reason I thought 2010 had been officially released.
Christopher Duncan www.PracticalUSA.com Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Copywriting Services
Christopher Duncan wrote:
For some reason I thought 2010 had been officially released.
Not until 2010. The name was kind of a clue.
"WPF has many lovers. It's a veritable porn star!" - Josh Smith
As Braveheart once said, "You can take our freedom but you'll never take our Hobnobs!" - Martin Hughes.
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Christopher Duncan wrote:
For some reason I thought 2010 had been officially released.
Not until 2010. The name was kind of a clue.
"WPF has many lovers. It's a veritable porn star!" - Josh Smith
As Braveheart once said, "You can take our freedom but you'll never take our Hobnobs!" - Martin Hughes.
Clearly, you've never bought a new car. :)
Christopher Duncan www.PracticalUSA.com Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Copywriting Services
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Ian Shlasko wrote:
your licenses expire
They don't. Your existing licenses will remain valid. But what they are counting on is that after 3 years, if you have a successful product, you will remain a microsoft shop. You will need more licenses after 3 years and newer versions of OS. But then if the company is successful that is least of the worries and any company will be glad to pay back MS for help. It is almost like getting a Angel investment of $40,000 - $100,000. It reduces barrier of entries for startups to use MS technologies. I think it is a great strategy and works well for both Microsoft and the startups. Note: My post applies more to Bizspark but Websitespark concept is similar.
The BizSpark offering is much more impressive. Thanks for letting me know about it.
Christopher Duncan www.PracticalUSA.com Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Copywriting Services
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Read the entry on Scott's blog, I believe he specifically says that you don't have to be incorporated to participate, i.e. you can be just a regular developer. I've not read the agreement in depth, so I can't say with certainty whether or not you retain the licenses to the tools after you've exited the program. As for Microsoft dependent, that is of course a personal choice, but I posted it here since CP is largely populated by those who work with MS technologies.
Christopher Duncan www.PracticalUSA.com Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Copywriting Services
Fair enough. Like I said, been a while since I read through it.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in? Author of Guardians of Xen (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel)
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I don't recall seeing anyone post this yet, so... This program is somewhat reminiscent of MS Action Pack. It's free to sign up for 3 years, but there's a $100 "exit fee," so you can essentially figure your cost to be not free, but a deferred payment of $100. By signing up, you get licenses to the following: • 3 licenses of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition. • 1 license of Expression Studio 3 (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. An entry from September on Scott Guthrie's blog[^] says that you'll be able to download the latest versions of the tools and that this will eventually include VS 2010. Not sure why it's currently 2008, but remember, this program operates in the massive bureaucracy of MS. Anyway, seems to be a good deal for those who want the non Express tools and / or are looking for an inexpensive upgrade path to future versions. Of course, as always, caveat emptor. http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark/[^]
Christopher Duncan www.PracticalUSA.com Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Copywriting Services
I have posted about it before, and downloaded Expression Studio and SQL Server, bandwidth permitting I'll soon have Server 2008 and I look forward to when the update to 2010. Scott Hanselman has commented that it will be included. $100 I'd be happy to even pay upfront, but when I signed up I wasn't able to, so it is a big boost for many small houses.
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I remember reading about this a while back... If memory serves, you can only get it if you're a company (Not an individual) who's planning on releasing a Microsoft-based web product in the next six months. So basically, this is their way of expanding their market share... Cause after those three years, your licenses expire and you have to either buy full versions or... or what? You have a product out that's entirely Microsoft-dependent, so you probably can't just cut out your ability to support and maintain it... Anyone remember Dogma? Cardinal Glick: Fill them pews, people! Hook 'em while they're young! Roofus: Like the tobacco industry? Cardinal Glick: Christ, if only we had their numbers. EDIT: Ok, clearly memory DOESN'T serve (Big surprise)... See replies for more accurate info
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in? Author of Guardians of Xen (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel)
modified on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 10:52 AM
You can always host with an MS centric provider after the 'honeymoon'.
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Ian Shlasko wrote:
your licenses expire
They don't. Your existing licenses will remain valid. But what they are counting on is that after 3 years, if you have a successful product, you will remain a microsoft shop. You will need more licenses after 3 years and newer versions of OS. But then if the company is successful that is least of the worries and any company will be glad to pay back MS for help. It is almost like getting a Angel investment of $40,000 - $100,000. It reduces barrier of entries for startups to use MS technologies. I think it is a great strategy and works well for both Microsoft and the startups. Note: My post applies more to Bizspark but Websitespark concept is similar.
Ahh, so basically they just give you the first few licenses free(ish)? Hmm, that's a lot more generous.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in? Author of Guardians of Xen (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel)
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I have posted about it before, and downloaded Expression Studio and SQL Server, bandwidth permitting I'll soon have Server 2008 and I look forward to when the update to 2010. Scott Hanselman has commented that it will be included. $100 I'd be happy to even pay upfront, but when I signed up I wasn't able to, so it is a big boost for many small houses.
That was my impression as well. And if you haven't already, look at Rama's post above about BizSpark, which seems even better.
Christopher Duncan www.PracticalUSA.com Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Copywriting Services
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Clearly, you've never bought a new car. :)
Christopher Duncan www.PracticalUSA.com Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Copywriting Services
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That was my impression as well. And if you haven't already, look at Rama's post above about BizSpark, which seems even better.
Christopher Duncan www.PracticalUSA.com Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Copywriting Services
I saw BizSpark on Saturday, but assumed there would be a bigger 'catch'. I don't know if they'll let one sign up for both.
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Ian Shlasko wrote:
your licenses expire
They don't. Your existing licenses will remain valid. But what they are counting on is that after 3 years, if you have a successful product, you will remain a microsoft shop. You will need more licenses after 3 years and newer versions of OS. But then if the company is successful that is least of the worries and any company will be glad to pay back MS for help. It is almost like getting a Angel investment of $40,000 - $100,000. It reduces barrier of entries for startups to use MS technologies. I think it is a great strategy and works well for both Microsoft and the startups. Note: My post applies more to Bizspark but Websitespark concept is similar.
Rama Krishna Vavilala wrote:
They don't. Your existing licenses will remain valid.
Are you sure the licenses don't expire after the 3 years? I found this blurb in the WebsiteSpark Program Guide: What happens after three years of participation in WebsiteSpark? At the end of their program participation: • Program members will no longer have rights to use the WebsiteSpark Program Software. However, at the conclusion of their participation in WebsiteSpark, program members will have had the benefit of the WebsiteSpark experience, better equipped to determine the Microsoft technologies that best fits their business needs. Looks to me like you can't use the software after the 3 years, unless you get the $999/yearly renewal. Let me know if I am missing something. C
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I don't recall seeing anyone post this yet, so... This program is somewhat reminiscent of MS Action Pack. It's free to sign up for 3 years, but there's a $100 "exit fee," so you can essentially figure your cost to be not free, but a deferred payment of $100. By signing up, you get licenses to the following: • 3 licenses of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition. • 1 license of Expression Studio 3 (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. An entry from September on Scott Guthrie's blog[^] says that you'll be able to download the latest versions of the tools and that this will eventually include VS 2010. Not sure why it's currently 2008, but remember, this program operates in the massive bureaucracy of MS. Anyway, seems to be a good deal for those who want the non Express tools and / or are looking for an inexpensive upgrade path to future versions. Of course, as always, caveat emptor. http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark/[^]
Christopher Duncan www.PracticalUSA.com Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Copywriting Services
IF you want to really kick it out of the park and happen to be starting a new business, you want BizSpark! VS Team Suite and Expression Studio plus production servers for SQL Server (Standard, Enterprise, etc), BizTalk Server, ShwarePoint Server, Windows Server 2008 (Enterprise through web version). All for the same $100 for three years. http://www.microsoft.com/BizSpark/[^]
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