Microsoft Expands Benefits for Site Builder Network Members

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 29, 1996 — Today at the Site Builder Conference, Microsoft Corp. announced a substantial increase in benefits for the members of its popular Site Builder Network. The Site Builder Network is a comprehensive program that provides ongoing information, training, technology, services, support and business-development resources, enabling Web professionals to create Internet and intranet content for the Active Platform, Microsoft’s recommended platform for Internet development.

New benefits of the Site Builder Network include more than 30 products; exclusive discounts for training, software, books, third-party Web tools and companion products and site hosting; an online newsletter; member discussion groups; an HTML code checker; and much more.

“We have pursued relationships with the leading vendors in the industry to provide our members with the best products, services and information sources available,”
said Tod Nielsen, general manager, developer relations, Internet platform and tools division at Microsoft.
“The incredible response to this program proves we have been successful in our efforts.”

Exclusive New Benefits

By joining with third-party vendors and content providers, Microsoft has negotiated exclusive discounts and offers for Site Builder Network members, including the following:

  • Special free trial versions of Microsoft® and third-party software:

  • Microsoft “Internet Studio” (available in beta later this fall)

  • Microsoft Visual Basic® programming system 5.0, Control Creation Edition

  • Microsoft Visual SourceSafe ™ 5.0 version control system, trial version

  • Microsoft NetShow, beta 2

  • HAHT Software Inc.’s HAHTSite 2.0 beta, the award-winning integrated development environment for enterprise-class applications

  • Intersé Corp.’s market focus 2 developer’s edition, the premier Web analysis software

  • MarketScape WebCD, the tool that lets Web site owners easily create Internet-connected “Web site on a disc”

  • Metrowerks Code Warrior Lite, the scaled-down version of the top-rated Macintosh development tool

  • PhotoDisc 100 image sampler of high-quality images

  • Tools from Adobe Systems Inc. and Macromedia Inc. to make Web development easier

  • Site Builder online newsletter with up-to-the-minute news about Microsoft Internet Explorer, ActiveX™ and other Internet technologies; technical tips and tricks on building Web solutions; and news on all relevant events, such as developer conferences, symposiums, trade shows, specialized training and user groups.

  • Members-only discounts on Microsoft Windows NT® operating system 4.0 site hosting and ISDN or T1 connectivity through national Internet service providers (ISPs) BBN Planet and UUNET Technologies Inc. Participating ISPs have agreed to a minimum discount on Windows NT hosting of 10 percent off published list rates. The minimum discount on ISDN or T1 services is 5 percent off published list rates.

  • A 20 percent discount from Microsoft Press, which offers a complete line of computer books ranging from self-paced tutorials to advanced technical references for professional programmers.

  • Special member pricing on software products from PRO VANTAGE Corp. PRO VANTAGE promises to meet or beat the lowest price on Microsoft and third-party products.

  • Use of Cerebral Systems Development Corp. Webber/SmartSite, an HTML code checker that analyzes individual pages of a Web site to verify HTML tags.

  • Discounts of up to $100 on four Microsoft Online Institute (MOLI) training courses. MOLI is a 24-hour-a-day, cost-effective, flexible solution for software training requirements.

  • Site Builder Network exclusive discounts on third-party Web tools and companion products. Currently, there are over 25 products available including a selection of Internet and intranet authoring tools, ActiveX Controls and other components.

  • A members-only discussion group hosted by The Cobb Group. There are also
    “Tip of the Week”
    list services for Microsoft Internet Explorer, Java and Visual Basic, Scripting Edition.

  • Free Site Builder Network CD that contains all of the downloadable products, as well as a text version of the Site Builder Workshop, to save download time.

Web Professionals Praise Site Builder Network

“The Site Builder Network keeps me connected to great beta software, such as the server products from Microsoft code-named ‘Normandy,’ as well as a high concentration of products from other tool vendors,”
said Mike Adler of coordinate.com, which runs the popular site Switchboard.com.
“It’s the easiest, most efficient way to get information on what Microsoft is doing with emerging Web technologies.”

“My Level 3 membership to the Site Builder Network has provided added credibility to fine.com,”
said Dan Fine, CEO of fine.com, a Web site development company.
“Because of my membership, prospective clients know that I have a proven record of building the very best compelling, interactive ActiveX-based sites, and I have a close working relationship with Microsoft, which gives me an edge over other shops fighting for the same account.”

“My Site Builder Network membership helps me stay abreast of the latest tools, add-ons and plug-ins available,”
said Hemant Sharma, managing director of Trisoft Design.
“We’re sitting halfway around the world from where most of these technologies are created, but the Site Builder Network lets us get to what we need. It’s a one-stop shop for us.”

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft, Visual Basic, Visual SourceSafe, ActiveX and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.

Site Builder Network Third-Party Participation

The following companies have provided products and services for the Site Builder Network:

Adobe Systems Inc., (http://www.adobe.com/)

BBN Planet, (http://www.bbn.com/)

Tom Byrne, (http://www.ici.net/cust_pages/tbyrne/tbyrne.html)

Cerebral Systems Development Corp., (http://www.csdcorp.com/)

Cobb Group, (http://www.cobb.com/)

Dan Fine, fine.com, (http://www.fine.com/)

HAHT Software Inc., (http://www.haht.com/)

Intersé Corp., (http://www.interse.com/)

Macromedia Inc., (http://www.macromedia.com/)

MarketScape Inc., (http://www.marketscape.com/)

Metrowerks Inc., (http://www.metrowerks.com/)

Microsoft Press, (http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/)

PhotoDisc Inc., (http://www.photodisc.com/)

PRO VANTAGE Corp., (http://www.provantage.com/)

Switchboard, (http://www.switchboard.com/)

Trisoft Design, (http://www.trisoftdesign.com)

UUNET Technologies Inc., (http://www.uu.net)

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