Today in Amsterdam, Microsoft is making a couple of exciting announcements about the Web platform. First, Microsoft announced the launch of the WebsiteSpark Program, a new program designed to help business development for Web professionals. As the latest program in the ‘Spark’ family, including BizSpark and DreamSpark, the WebsiteSpark Program provides eligible Web professionals with design and development software licenses, server production licenses and free training and support, with no up-front costs.

Second, Microsoft also announced the Release to Web of the Web Platform Installer 2.0 and the Windows Web Application Gallery 2.0. This new release provides developers with a simplified installation of Microsoft products and technologies that reduces download complexity, and includes new additions such as IIS Media Pack, Windows Azure SDK, and more. Coupled with the App Gallery, developers can also access dozens of free, open-code and ready-to-install applications to help build their Web sites. Today more than 20 apps are available from both Microsoft and the broader community, including WordPress, SugarCRM and DotNetNuke.

To learn more about the WebsiteSpark Program, including who is eligible, visit http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark or http://www.websitespark.com.  You can also download Web Platform Installer 2.0 and Windows Web Application Gallery at http://www.microsoft.com/web.