Today, I finally achieved one of my many little dreams as a software developer.
Throughout the years, I have wanted one thing.. one tiny, small, insignificant little thing that would make things just a little easier on me.. allow me to have some fun.. be completely legal [not that I wasn’t already!].. and have access to some of the greatest software tools and systems known to man.
I got my MSDN Premium Subscription today with Visual Studio Team Suite !!
I’ve been downloading all of the neatest applications all day, and planning how, what, and where I am going to install things to make the perfect development environment! I can’t believe after all of these years of wishing someone would buy it for me.. of wishing I had access to the latest operating systems.. today, I finally have it all! I absolutely can’t wait to dig into all of the features of VSTS Edition!
So dear reader, you might ask, how did I get this subscription ? Did I steal it ? Did I kill someone ? Did I lie, or cheat ? Did I bribe someone at Microsoft ? No.
Microsoft has this incredible program called BizSpark !
With BizSpark, a startup company can acquire all of the tools necessary to develop software using the best Microsoft tools, applications, and operating systems. The requirements are not steep (less than 3 years, make less than $1,000,000 dollars, be privately held, and be developing software that forms the core of your business) and all you have to do is find a Network partner to help you join the program. *Note: The network partner should not charge you for anything, so if someone wants too.. find someone else! Oh, and one other thing. You may remain in the program for 3 years, and upon your exit, you are required to pay a $100 exit fee. Cake.
All in all, I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to have the best development tools that Microsoft has to offer. I can only assume that I will also get Visual Studio 2010 Team Suite Edition as well, when it’s released. Let me just tell you something, I absolutely can not wait. You also get PRODUCTION licenses for SQL Server, and Windows 2008 Server [up to 3 years].
Oh, and did I mention these licenses are perpetual ? Even after you leave the program, your licenses are valid and will remain so.. with the exception that the server products (SQL Server, Server 2008, etc.) will no longer be licensed.
All I have to say is this: Thank you Microsoft, for making my little dream come true.
I am so happy to finally have access to all of their tools and operating systems. I am going to have so much fun learning all of the new features in VSTS, and Team Foundation Server. I can only hope that this will increase my output and make me an even better developer.
Sounds like fun to me. :)
P.S. Original Blog Article That I Read to Find Out About This: http://vistadb.net/blog/news/hats-off-to-47-hats-and-microsoft-bizspark/
Thanks Jason[, and Bob!]!!!
Matthew MacSuga
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