One of the main hurdles to the success of small web development firms is the cost of the software used to create quality applications. If you’re programming for a Windows Server environment using either .NET or any PHP, you need the tools that allow you speedy and effective web development.

Visual Studio for example, is an absolute must for .NET development. Technically of course it’s possible to do without it, but practically inadvisable. It can cut your development time by over 80%.

If you’re developing in PHP, you’ll find that the latest iteration of Microsoft Expression – version 2 provides you with tools that allow the testing and development of PHP applications. Right from the famous Intellisense and the proper handling of Byte Order Marks (BOM).

Further, other development software such as Studio Expression has the provision to allow designers to integrate with backend coders. Drag and drop feature for rich data controls and Ajax programming are some of the notable tools that can greatly improve the quality and the speed of development.

This software is highly cost effective but the downside for small business owners is that they may not be able to afford it initially. And this fact might slow down the entreprenuerial enterprise in the field of software development.

To combat this, Microsoft offers WebsiteSpark that can jump start small firms and give them the push they need to make it to the big league.

Microsoft’s WebsiteSpark Program

WebsiteSpark is an innovative and generous program from Microsoft that allows small firms to use Microsoft web development tools for three years for free.

To participate in the program, your firm must have not more than 10 employees and must have web development and design as its primary purpose. To continue to qualify for the program, you must deploy a new website using the software tools within 6 months of starting the program and register it using the WebsiteSpark portal.

What you get

Those participating in WebsiteSpark are eligible for the following:

1. Three licenses of Visual Studio Professional

2. One Expression Studio license

3. Two Expression Web licenses

4. 4 processor licenses of Windows Web Server 2008 R2

5. 4 processor licenses of SQL Server 2008 Web Edition

The membership in the program must be renewed annually which can be canceled at any time. The only cost is a 0 fee that must be paid after three years of using the software or ending membership.

The primary beneficiaries of this program will of course be Linux developers who now have an easy entry point into development for the Windows platform. With the latest IIS 7 [Link to IIS 7 article here], they can already migrate their programming skills onto Windows Server using the FastCGI module.

Hosting and Network Partners

In order to participate in the WebsiteSpark program, development companies must be associated with a “Network Partner” which will support them and provide assistance. Some of these partners can also provide hosting services.

Appliedi.net is the leader in windows hosting. They provide a broad range of services from windows dedicated servers to windows vps hosting plans.

Click on the link – To learn more about the benefits of WebsiteSpark for your business.

When it comes to coding, there have been raging debates about whether or not PHP is superior to .NET technologies. Web developers rarely switch from one technology to another because they have their own fixed notions as to which technology is better.

However, there’s no doubt that one area in which PHP developers have lost out on is the IDE. With the superb software tools and features found on Visual Studio, software like Eclipse and their PHP plugins are no match.

The WYSIWYG editors for PHP have been a bit lacking in features as well and while it’s true that there are many such editors, none of them are awesome enough to wipe out the others.

However, PHP editors got a huge break in 2008 with the introduction of Microsoft Expression Web 2.0 which provided built in support for PHP coding as well. PHP developers can now utilize advanced GUI features such as drag and drop, on the spot data connectivity, along with sophistication CSS validation.

In 2009, Microsoft Expression Web 3.0 was released with new support for viewing in multiple browsers as well as improved facilities for developing media rich applications such as flash.

If you’re just starting a web application development business, you might be thinking – “Great. But tools like that are from Microsoft and they’re too expensive to my nascent firm.” Well, there’s good news. That used to be true, but you can now get all the software you need from Microsoft for free!

Here’s how it works. As part of Microsoft’s WebsiteSpark program, as a small development firm you don’t have to pay anything for Microsoft’s development tools for three years. And beyond that, there’s no commitment after paying the one time fee of 0. Surely it doesn’t get better than that!

In order to be eligible for this offer, you need to have a firm with less than ten employees and must associate with a Network partner – in order to get genuine and full featured Microsoft software such as Visual Studio, Expression Studio, SQL Server Database software, and even a copy of Windows Server 2008.

As a new business, this will really give your operations a boost as you make use of the productivity tools for PHP that will allow you to get that extra bit out of your designers and coders.

With this offer, PHP coders can rejoice as they get fully supported Enterprise class software at no cost. One of the best programs from Microsoft!

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The platform is usually a subject of interest of many web developers. Linux or Windows. Till now, the focus has always been on which programming language to use because it was assumed the scripts like PHP were meant to be used only on Linux web servers.

However, with the introduction of IIS7, this barrier was broken down and developers suddenly found that Perl, Python, and PHP worked just fine on a Windows Server – mainly due to the improvements and integration of the FastCGI module.

The question now remained is ease of development.

Difficulty in Developing for Linux

Writing code for a Linux Server has always been somewhat frustrating. Not because the code itself needs to be changed in anyway, but because the tools have not been good enough. There are plenty of routine work in software development that can be outsourced to good programs but the issue will be the integration to a Linux server.

To cite an example, an advanced software like Visual Studio has these specifications: GUI drag and drop of web components, proper Intellisense with the arguments of objects neatly appearing, full object oriented development with GUI class design which incorporates into the coding.

Visual Studio itself integrates into a Windows Server running IIS and makes several functions easier such as FTP deployment of code, subversion, and the like. If your destination platform is a Linux server, such facilities can be implemented.

The Cost Factor

However, the issue that has been holding back those who till now have written for Linux is the cost of software such as Visual Studio and SQL Server. Many startups would like to use this software once they’re profitable, but in the initial stages licensing can really weigh them down.

Such software is deemed to succeed, no doubt about it, all it needs is that initial push.

Microsoft’s WebsiteSpark Program

For such startups with less than 10 employees, Microsoft lends a helping hand. Business owners are allowed to use genuine Microsoft software absolutely free for three years and that comes with full support as well. The WebsiteSpark hosting program, offers businesses in web application development the ability to become profitable more quickly by providing them with an initial “spark”.

After a simple registration process, businesses will need to create a site developed using the tools within 6 months and then renew the free license annually up to a period of three years.

Summary

Web developers who have been sitting on the fence trying to decide which platform to program for now have an added impetus to choose a Windows Server over Linux. The quality software free for three years is too tempting to decline!

Appliedi.net is the leader in windows hosting. They offer a wide range of services from windows dedicated servers to Windows VPS hosting plans. Click on the link – To learn more about the benefits of WebsiteSpark for your business.