Microsoft Corp. [
MSFT] has
launched a new program called
BizSpark, which will provide all sorts of development tools free of charge for three years to qualifying startups and, as
TechCrunch notes, "lock these guys in after three years when fees start to be charged."
Microsoft is describing the service a little differently -- as a way to help foster entrepreneurship, and while a host of young companies will no doubt jump at the opportunity to use some application hosting and cloud computing services for free, the program does seem very much like something that will advance the love/hate, can't-live-with-it/can't-live -without-it relationship that the startup community has long had with the software giant. - Andrea Orr
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