REDMOND, Wash., June 16, 2003 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the release of three offerings for Web developers to make it easy to create powerful, dynamic, data-driven Web sites and Web applications: an update to the Microsoft®
ASP.NET Web Matrix, the release of the ASP.NET Starter Kits, and a resource to easily find ASP.NET Web hosting companies.
“The uptake of the original Web Matrix project is excellent, and we are pleased with the feedback that has led to this summer’s updates for the ASP.NET community,”
said Marie Huwe, general manager for the Developer and Platform Evangelism Division at Microsoft.
“These offerings significantly lower the barriers to enable faster, easier, more productive Web development.”
Update to ASP.NET Web Matrix to Offer Enhanced Capabilities
One year ago, the ASP.NET Web Matrix, a lightweight, easy-to-use WYSIWYG application development tool for ASP.NET, was posted to the Web as a free download. Designed from the ground up in partnership with community members, ASP.NET Web Matrix is an example of Microsoft’s deep commitment to the ASP.NET community. This update completes the feedback loop and brings to fruition much of the community’s feedback into the product. ASP.NET Web Matrix is available for download at http://www.asp.net/webmatrix/ .
The update includes Microsoft Access database support, several design time enhancements, and other new features suggested by the community. In addition to using Microsoft Visual Basic®
.NET and C#, developers can now build applications using J#.
ASP.NET Starter Kits Rallying Support From Community
The ASP.NET Starter Kits are five sample applications ranging in functionality from e-commerce storefronts and community portals to data reporting applications. Each sample application ships with well-documented source code so developers can quickly start viewing and editing the Starter Kit’s code with either Visual Studio®
.NET or ASP.NET Web Matrix.
Today, with the beta cycle complete, Microsoft is releasing the ASP.NET Starter Kits at http://www.asp.net/starterkits/ . Enhancements have been made to the release version of all the kits, including several new features in the Community Starter Kit such as rich HTML content editing, cross-community content replication, and a more flexible content layout. The ASP.NET Starter Kits provide both new and experienced developers with resources and training to enhance productivity and simplify the development of ASP.NET applications.
New Hosting Program Benefits Both Web Hosters and Web Developers
Web hosters provide services for developers who wish to deploy their applications on the Internet. Microsoft is working with myriad Web hosters to provide high-quality ASP.NET hosting services that enable developers to easily deploy ASP.NET applications in reliable, scalable and secure environments. The listing of premier hosters can be found at http://www.asp.net/hosters/ .
MSDN ASP.NET Developer Center: The Resource for ASP.NET Developers
Microsoft also recently launched the MSDN®
ASP.NET Developer Center at http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/ , offering a central focus on MSDN for developers interested in ASP.NET. Every year MSDN provides millions of professional developers with the resources they need: tools, access to code, and support to build, deploy and implement software applications.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Visual Basic, Visual C#, Visual J#, Visual Studio and MSDN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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