In response to a post from an anonymous individual on one of my posts (http://geekswithblogs.net/OceanWanderer/archive/2011/09/26/microsoft-development-tools-are-free.aspx) regarding free Microsoft tools I thought a follow up post was required!
Anonymous, unfortunately you are mistaken; Websitespark is free and is open to individuals it truly provides all the possible tools & software that you could require to get started. If you read the program details on the Microsoft website (http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark/support.aspx?tab=ProgramDetails)
You will notice that individuals are catered for:
Individual: An individual that performs web-related development and/or design services for its current customers or plans to provide such services to its customers in the future. An Individual does not have his/her own company and/or does not work for a web design or development company.
Term: Eligible Web development and design Companies and/or Individuals can participate in WebsiteSpark for up to 3 years. On the first and second anniversary of initial enrollment, they must update their enrollment (e.g., confirm they haven't gone public and their ownership hasn't changed).
Fee: There is no cost for Web Pros to join WebsiteSpark or receive its benefits.
There is a validation/vetting process for applicants and if you are so intent on stealing Visual Studio there are far easier ways. In terms of what you receive, I have downloaded Visual Studio Professional and SQL Server 2008 so I am not too sure what more your require to build web apps? Below is a listing that will no doubt age very quickly however I included it for completeness to demonstrate what is available:
· New Downloads (3)
o Visual Studio 11 Developer Preview
o Windows Developer Preview
o Windows Server Developer Preview
· Applications (1)
o Patterns & Practices
· Designer Tools (2)
o Expression 3
o Expression 4
· Developer Tools (3)
o Visual Studio 11 Developer Preview
o Visual Studio 2008
o Visual Studio 2010
· Operating Systems (4)
o Windows Developer Preview
o Windows Server 2008
o Windows Server 2008 R2
o Windows Server Developer Preview
· Servers (3)
o SQL Server 2008
o SQL Server 2008 R2
o Windows MultiPoint Server 2011
· Tools and Resources (2)
o .NET Framework 4
o Web Platform Installer
Thank you for the feedback I hope this clear up your confusion. Microsoft is doing a great thing by encouraging individuals to use their tools and I think the spirit of the initiative needs to be taken into account. As a final note a lot of Microsoft’s tools are completely free as part of their express edition programs, you may want to check those out as well.
Cheers
David