Microsoft launches Website Spark, hopes web devs will take candy from strangers

Last year Microsoft debuted Dreamspark, which gives university students access to truckloads of development software at no charge. In April of this year, the program was extended to include high school students.

Now, they're spinning off WebsiteSpark, a variant aimed at small businesses that want to make a splash in the web design and development world. If you employ fewer than 10 people and want in, here's what you can get - without paying a penny up front:

• 3 Visual Studio 2008 licenses
• 1 Expression Studio 2 or 3 license
• 2 Expression Web 2 or 3 licenses
• 3 users licenses for Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008
• 4 processor licenses for Web Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 for self-hosting

There are, of course, conditions that have to be satisfied and it's not totally free. There is a paltry $100 fee that you must pay when your company exits the program. Membership can also last no more than three years, after which time Microsoft, of course, hopes you sign on as a Network Partner.

You've also got to roll out a new app or web site within six months of joining. If you hit it big and get bought out or go public, the WebSpark free ride is over. Though you likely wouldn't care, since you'd be swimming around in a Scrooge McDuck-sized pile of loot.