REDMOND, Wash. - March 30, 1999 -Microsoft Corp. today unveiled a new version of its popular MSDN™ Online developer site at http://msdn.microsoft.com/. In addition to providing more than 2 million developers worldwide with access to the most comprehensive development information available from Microsoft, the new MSDN Online site provides a personalized, single point of entry for all developers, making it much easier to customize and filter information. The updated site also connects developers with industry experts and peers around the world, offers new Online Special-Interest Groups (OSIGs), provides instant access to training and support resources, and much more.

New Site Offers One-Stop Shop for Windows and Web Developers

As part of its strategy to bring together the best of the Microsoft^® Windows^® operating system and the Web, Microsoft has merged the Site Builder Network and MSDN Online Web sites and membership programs into one comprehensive resource for developers. The new MSDN Online site is a single resource where all developers can easily access the technical information, tools and resources they need to create applications for the Windows platform, whether they are building enterprise solutions, creating shrink-wrapped software or building corporate intranets.

"Developers today are faced with increasing complexity, shorter development schedules, and a barrage of new technologies, platforms and form factors," said Tod Nielsen, vice president of developer marketing at Microsoft. "Now more than ever, developers need a direct and easy way to find solutions to their development problems, learn about new technologies and get their jobs done quickly. MSDN Online is designed to be a single source for essential programming information and resources to help developers build the next generation of distributed applications based on the Windows DNA architecture."

The new MSDN Online site features a customizable home page, allowing developers to select the topics and technologies most relevant to their individual development needs, as well as filter the latest developer news, MSDN Online Libraries and Knowledge Base updates, and training opportunities and events in their areas. By registering with MSDN Online, developers can access their customized home page from any computer, using the new Roaming Profile feature.

Improved Search Gives Fast Access to More Than 250,000 Pages of Content

MSDN Online provides the most comprehensive database of technical information about developing with Microsoft platform technologies. Developers can now search the MSDN Libraries (formerly the MSDN Library and Site Builder Workshop), Microsoft Knowledge Base, the Microsoft events database and other technologies with one single query, as well as filter their search to obtain only certain technologies or information.

"Nowhere do I find better documentation for a vendor's software and technologies than I do at Microsoft," said Victor McManus, lead programmer and developer, ASTRALcom Internet Solutions. "We have relied on MSDN resources such as MSDN Online and the Site Builder Network to help our company stay current on the latest development information from Microsoft, but the sheer amount of information has sometimes made it difficult to navigate. The new MSDN Online site is well thought-out and incredibly easy to navigate, and the new customization and improved search will enable us to find answers quickly to all of our development questions."

Peer Networking Features Enable Increased Productivity and Reduced Support Costs

MSDN Online members can enjoy peer-to-peer support to receive answers to questions, share best practices and much more. The updated Members Helping Members feature allows developers to ask questions of experts or register as experts themselves and help others. In addition, MSDN Online is launching 15 new OSIGs, providing online communities that enable developers to find targeted information and resources on specific technologies quickly, network with their peers, and find answers to their toughest development problems. Each OSIG will offer access to newsgroups via a Web-based reader, training and certification resources, events listings, special offers, and links to additional Microsoft and other third-party resources.

Current OSIG topics include MSDN subscriptions, Windows 2000, Microsoft Internet Explorer technologies, the Visual Basic^®, Visual C++^®, Visual J++^® and Visual Studio^® development systems, the Visual FoxPro^® database development system, the Visual InterDev^™ Web development system, embedded development, Office Developer, Windows CE-based application development, the Windows NT^® operating system, Internet Information Server technology, Windows Media technologies and, coming soon, Windows Distributed interNet Applications (Windows DNA).

The new MSDN Online membership program also offers downloads of free software (connect-time fees may apply) and discounts on software, magazines and books. To celebrate the launch of the new MSDN Online site, Microsoft has worked with Micron Electronics Inc. to bring a $700 discount to 2,000 MSDN Online members purchasing a Micron Millennia computer. Micron's exclusive offer is a limited edition, 500Mhz Millennia MAX desktop computer for $2,000. This offer is limited to the first 2,000 developers who sign up for membership on the MSDN Online site. For more information, please visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/
community/offers/micron.asp.

Enhanced Training Resources and Events

Recognizing today's IT skills crisis, Microsoft offers in-depth resources and training content for developers for Windows via the MSDN Online training area to help developers quickly locate training information, gain new skills and maximize their training investment. Resources offered at http://msdn.microsoft.com/training/ include over 80 developer-focused online seminars; new "chatcasts," which combine live streaming media expert briefings with simultaneous chats to provide interactive Q&As with guest speakers; updated Training Road Maps to assist less-experienced developers; and a significant expansion of the popular Ask the Expert forum.

MSDN will also offer more than 2,000 local events to help developers learn the latest about Microsoft development tools and technologies. These events are designed to fit a wide range of budgets, information needs and skill levels, and are offered over a broad geographical area, enabling developers to gain in-depth knowledge about Microsoft technologies and platforms. Following many MSDN events, developers can visit MSDN Online to read conference reports and articles, participate in chats with event speakers, access technical presentations and sample code, and more. This resource allows developers to get the most out of their conference attendance and extend their investments in skills training. See http://msdn.microsoft.com/resources/events.asp for more information.

MSDN: A World of Resources at the Doorstep or Desktop

MSDN, the Microsoft Developer Network, is the essential resource for developers, bringing together everything they need to be successful, including tools, technologies, education, information and technical events. Over 2 million developers use resources provided by MSDN to create applications and solutions for the Windows operating systems, the Microsoft BackOffice^® family server application suite, Microsoft Office desktop applications and the Internet. For more information on MSDN resources for developers, please visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft, MSDN, Windows, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual J++, Visual Studio, Visual FoxPro, Visual InterDev, Windows NT and BackOffice are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors:If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft's corporate information pages.

Appendix: MSDN Roadmap

Online Resources

MSDN Onlineis a portal for developers and the first place to look for information on all of Microsoft's developer resources. Developers can stay up to date with the latest programming information, news and in-depth features every day at http://msdn.microsoft.com/.

MSDN Flash is Microsoft's developer e-mail newsletter featuring news, announcements, events and resources. Developers can read a sample and sign up by visiting http://msdn.microsoft.com/resources/msdnflash.asp.

The MSDN training siteoffers in-depth resources and training content for developers for Windows to help them quickly locate training information, gain new skills and maximize their training investment. Offerings include online seminars, virtual events and chats, the popular Ask the Experts forum and much more. The site can be found at http://msdn.microsoft.com/training/.

CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Subscriptions

MSDN subscriptionsoffer access to Microsoft Visual Studio tools, Microsoft operating systems, Microsoft Office Developer, the BackOffice Test Platform, software development kits and essential technical programming information on both CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. Developers also get instant access to their subscription content and updates through MSDN Subscriber Downloads. The site is located at http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/.

Membership Programs

MSDN Online Membership is free and provides access to an international community of more than 2 million developers. Benefits include free downloadable tools; OSIGs, which provide support and communities built around Microsoft products and technologies such as Visual Studio, Windows, Office and BackOffice; a Members Helping Members area for sharing development solutions; and discounts on software, magazines and books. Developers can sign up at http://msdn.microsoft.com/community/.

MSDN ISV Program is a free program designed exclusively for independent software vendors (ISVs) that produce shrink-wrapped or downloadable commercially available software that supports or runs on Microsoft products, technologies and platforms. ISVs can get the timely business information and marketing opportunities they need to expand their business and succeed by signing up at http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnisv/.

MSDN ISV Startup Program is a free program specifically aimed at newly established or start-up companies in the computer industry. It provides marketing and promotional opportunities, such as events that expose a business to the larger development community, investors, members of the press and potential partners. The program also helps start-up companies by introducing them to venture capitalists through a newsletter delivered to the investment community, special events and more. See http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnisv/startups/ for details.

MSDN User Group Program provides information and support to developer-centric user groups and special interest groups around the globe interested in Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual FoxPro, Office Developer Edition, Microsoft Access and more. For a list of user groups, please visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/community/usergroup/.