when technology is a part of the whole!

In one of the startup groups, there was a question on the commercials of doing a startup with Microsoft Technologies. Specifically, the question was: “ I would like to know the commercial implications on developing a solution on dotnet. Is there a license one needs to purchase from Microsoft for developing a software on dotnet platform? When the software is sold then does each commercial license of  software requires dotnet license to be purchased from Microsoft ?” While many folks would already know about the above, I am reproducing my answer in order to help any startup out there looking for information on using Microsoft technologies. So here it goes: Upfront, one thing should be clear as water - .NET framework is completely FREE of cost to install. The tools to develop on .NET is a IDE called Visual Studio may be needed to be bought. However, MS has come out with various programs that give out .NET Development tools for free. These options includes FREE Vis...

You’ve heard the buzz about Social Networking and how the “youngsters” are spending/ wasting time there. Mostly, you use Social Networking for keeping in touch with friends and family (read facebook or Orkut) by sharing pictures. You may have created a professional profile online at LinkedIn as well. However, all this makes no sense when you are in Office. With all the meetings, replying to emails and meeting deadlines the social networking seems a real waste of time. And you may be right! Now, Microsoft is attempting to make social networking relevant for businesses. Here’s how social networking can aid business: When you receive an email from someone, you get to see their picture with the email. This will help you remember that person who you met at the last conference and who’s written to you now! While you are reading about that person you get to see his latest updates from LinkedIn and Facebook. This gives you a sense of the person’s personality. In my opinion, bot...

The one thing i keep hearing everyday is cost cutting that is going on everywhere. Layoffs are more drastic of these cost cutting measures. Our company has also done its own bit of cost cutting (without firing anyone yet!).. Microsoft India has launched a website - http://www.controlcosts.com/ that can help enterprises cut costs. The site showcases prominent Indian business leaders at the site. To start, you just choose the scenario that you think is creating cost bloat in your organisation and the site will recommend tools and technologies that will help you streamline that process. At the site you can also pre—order the CFO toolkit that contains 10 ways to control costs. In addition, the site features a bunch of case studies from customers who have experienced cost savings. If one wanted to setup a discussion on cutting cost with an expert within Microsoft, they can do the same at the site. In the current times, this is an excellent move by Microsoft to help the customers...

Microsoft Corp. has proposed to buy out Yahoo! This news comes recently after Yahoo reported cutting jobs due to decreased profit margins. Microsoft is already known very well in the desktop and enterprise server space. it has been trying to make a dent in the web application with its Live & MSN Services.. search, messenger, mail and a host of other services have been coming from time to time.. Yahoo is an ideal company to acquire to fill in the gaps in the internet space. Microsoft has been playing underdog in Online Advertising space which is dominated by single company - Google. if Yahoo is acquired, then Microsoft would be in a position to seriously challenge the online advertising giant Google. There is a lot of synergy that the content networks of both companies can leverage on.. the acquisition proposal is based on $31 (US) per share for Yahoo in a transaction that would value at approximately $44.6 billion (US) in cash and stock. this is at a 62% premium to its share va...