artificial ignorance

Since we launched BizSpark last year, we’ve gotten a tremendous amount of interest from startups to join the program. As you may recall, we recently announced that 12,000 startups are now enrolled in the program worldwide.

We’ve heard from startups who exclusively use the Mac platform, but occasionally need access to Windows for development or test, having trouble downloading software in spite of being enrolled in BizSpark. While startups who are eligible to join BizSpark can access MSDN (our online software portal), the ability to download software from a browser that isn’t Internet Explorer hasn’t been an option unfortunately. Until now…

Now startups who are enrolled in BizSpark and use Macs (or non-Internet Explorer browsers in general) can get Windows through the ‘Top Downloads’ page on MSDN: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/securedownloads/bb608344.aspx (you’ll need an MSDN account to access the contents on that page) Continue reading

Today we are launching “new CloudApp()” a US-based developer challenge to promote applications running on the Azure Services Platform. This contest will have three categories of winners for applications running on the Azure Services Platform –

• a best .NET application,
• a top PHP application, and,
• a community winner.

What could a contestant win?

The winning submissions will:

• Be featured on www.azure.com as well as at major Microsoft events
• Be featured in a video interview on Channel 9 with the application author
• Winners will be announced at Structure 09
• Receive cash ($):
  • .NET Applications Category winner: $5,000 Visa gift card
  • PHP Applications Category winner: $5,000 Visa gift card
  • Community winner: $2,500 Visa gift card

  Continue reading