Mitch Wheat - Treat the cause, not the symptoms!

Microsoft has launched a new initiative, WebSiteSpark, aimed specifically at independent web developers and small web development companies.  The only two requirements to join the program are:

1. Your company builds web sites and web application on behalf of others.
2. Your company currently has less than 10 employees.

The Australian launch of WebSiteSpark will be on the 8th of October.

What do you get?

Software licenses that you can use for three years AT NO COST.  Once enrolled, you can download and immediately use the following software from Microsoft:

• 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 Windows Server and SQL Server licenses can be used for both development and production deployment.  You can either self-host the servers on your own, or use the licenses with a hoster. 

For more info see Scott Guthrie’s post: Announcing the WebsiteSpark Program