Nov 17

Written by:
2010/11/17 09:56 AM 

Microsoft is teaming up with the Drupal Community to provide even more power and features to Drupal.

Drupal is number one

Drupal is one of the most popular open source content management systems. With 714,959 people in 28 countries using Drupal.  Drupal, a  previous winner in  2007 and 2008 of Best Overall Open Source CMS Award. Drupal also a winner of the Hall of Fame Award in the 2009 Open Source CMS Awards.

Drupal is a Content Management System (CMS) that allows individuals, companies and communities to easily publish, manage, and organize a wide variety of content on a website.

Hundreds of thousands of people and organizations are using Drupal to power a great variety of websites. From personal individual websites, to big corporates sites, right down to a variety of social websites.

The great thing about all this is that Drupal runs great on the Microsoft Web Platform.

Acquia Drupal

Acquia Drupal was created by Drupal's founder and is a commercially supported version of Drupal

Acquia Drupal provides you the fastest way to dynamic and social websites. Acquia Drupal combines Drupal core with a set of the most popular modules—plus access to Acquia Network services and support. With more than 2,000 open source modules available, the sky's the limit. You are just limited by your own imagination

Microsoft is also teaming up with the Drupal Community to provide even more power and features to Drupal.

Install Acquia Drupal now with Windows Web Installer.

Drupal 7 with MS SQL Server

Announced at DrupalCon San Francisco Drupal 7 with PDO now supports SQL Server.  With the release of the SQL Server PHP Driver with PDO and a new SQL Server Module for Drupal 7. This new Drupal module and SQL_PDO driver provides SQL Server support for users on Drupal 7.

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express R2 is a free edition of SQL Server. You can download and install MS SQL Server using the web installer here.

Then there is also the custom Drupal package. Which contains Drupal 1 and a SQL Server Drupal Module which you can download here.

WebsiteSpark

So many people think that Windows is way to expensive you say. With Drupal, PHP and MySQL being all free and open source why would one go the Commercial Windows route.

If you are a start-up or even an individual that has limited funds, Free open source is a huge attraction.
Well what if I told you you could get a whole bunch of windows software for free to get you started. That’s right, it’s a partnership called WebsiteSpark.

The WebsiteSpark program provides no-cost software, support, and exposure to new customers that reduces your risk as you expand your opportunities.

By Joining the WebsiteSpark program you as a developer, potential web service provider, or start-up get a jump-start in your efforts to dominate the world wide web.

The WebsiteSpark program provides the tools and resources needed to build great websites with no upfront cost.
It includes Visual Studio, Expression, SQL Server, Windows Web Server and much more. All for free. That’s a deal you can’t turn away from.

What about support? Receive dedicated support from Microsoft engineers and Network Partners around the world.
Then there is promotion and marketing. Increase your visibility through automatic enrolment in the WebsiteSpark Partner Catalogue & Microsoft Partner Network.

Drupal Windows Hosting

So all this and nowhere to host your magnificent Drupal website. Well Microsoft have teamed up with a bunch of highly professional and competent service providers to get you the jump-start you need for your Drupal  hosting.

Microsoft hosting partners can help you get your PHP applications live. The expansive Microsoft network of hosting providers allows you to grow your business on Drupal for customers of the Microsoft Web Platform. Select from the wide variety of packages available from shared to virtual machines or dedicated servers; there is something for everyone and an offer for every need.

And believe me, the prices are fantastic. Most of the prices are so low they are almost free.

What are you waiting for

Check out what Microsoft is offering the Drupal community as well as what they are offering the Windows community. Previously Drupal was a no no for Windows. But now Microsoft is making great strides into supporting this vibrant and growing community.

Check out The Microsoft Drupal Web page. Then download and install, great great website.

What do you think? Does this appeal to you? Let me know in the comments below.

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