Microsoft pushes Web software tools
The software giant launches a new Web site aimed at steering developers to use its technology to build Web-based software and services.
The Web site is the latest offering as the company pushes forward with its Microsoft.Net strategy of making its Windows operating system and existing software available over the Web for traditional PCs and handheld devices.
Microsoft, along with rivals Oracle, IBM, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard and others, envision a future where people can access software through the Web as a service, rather than having to install the software on their PCs or Web-connected devices.
Software makers big and small have been racing to build and sell the software that companies need to build Web services.
Rosa Garcia, Microsoft's general manager of partner programs, said the new Web site, called the Microsoft Hosted Applications Development Community, will provide software developers with the resources and advice they need to build Web services.
Programmers can download technical documents and join newsgroups where they can support and seek help from other developers, she said.