Engineering Software for Accessibility by making it accessibly free!

You ever been tooling around the book store or Amazon and came across this fine title?

Well, I don’t know about you, but the only thing better than an amazing and great title.. is a great and –free– downloadable title too!   And yes, that is correct! This book is now available for free download from Microsoft! So I encourage you to check it out, it’s only 100 pages too, so definitely a quick read! I’d like to thank our good friends at the MSPress Blog for sharing this!

Real World Azure coming to a city near you (US)

TechNet Events Presents: Real World Azure with Microsoft IT (Thanks to Keith Combs for posting this, and my full on hijack of it! I’ll try to visit DG or Chicago if I can!;)

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TechNet & MSDN Events Present: Real World Azure with Microsoft IT

Come spend a day with us to explore Windows Azure, Microsoft’s platform for building and deploying cloud based applications from a real world point of view!  During this event, we’ll review critical lessons Microsoft IT has learned migrating internal line-of-business applications to Windows Azure.

What is Windows Azure™? When should I use it? How does it apply to my job?  Whether you’re an IT Professional, Developer or Architect, we’ll address your top of mind questions about cloud computing.

TechNet Presents – for the IT Professional from 8:30am to Noon

  • Azure architecture from the IT professional’s point of view
  • Why an IT operations team would want to pursue Azure as an extension to the data center
  • Configuration, deployment and scaling Azure-based application
  • The Azure roles (web, web service and worker)
  • Azure storage options
  • Azure security and identity options
  • How Azure-based applications can be integrated with on-premise applications
  • How operations teams can manage and monitor Azure-based applications

Dates and Locations Registration Link

August 18, 2009 Columbus, OH
August 19, 2009 Mason, OH
August 19, 2009 Downers Grove, IL
August 20, 2009 Indianapolis, IN
August 20, 2009 Dallas, TX
September 16, 2009 Grand Rapids, MI
September 17, 2009 Southfield, MI
September 17, 2009 Overland Park, KS
September 17, 2009 Houston, TX
September 22, 2009 Bloomington, MN
September 22, 2009 Cleveland, OH
September 24, 2009 Waukesha, WI
September 24, 2009 Austin, TX
September 29, 2009 St. Louis, MO
September 29, 2009 Nashville, TN
September 30, 2009 Knoxville, TN
October 1, 2009 Chicago, IL

And don’t forget, the second half of the day at each location is developer focused.  Here’s the general description of the MSDN sessions in the afternoon.

MSDN Presents – for the Developer & Architect from 1:00pm to 5:00pm

In this session, we will discuss:

  • Cloud computing architectures in general and the Azure architecture in particular
  • Several aspects of Azure from the developer’s and architect’s perspective
  • Azure roles (web, web service and worker)
  • Azure storage options
  • Azure security and identity options
  • How Azure-based applications can be integrated with on-premise applications
  • Configuration, deployment and scaling Azure-based applications
  • How development teams can optimize their applications for better management and monitoring

Write an App, Win $7500, Get your head in the clouds?

That’s right! If I ran into you (Hey Developers!) at TechEd I likely harassed you about this contest running from new CloudApp() !

While I am in no way affiliated with newCloudApp() I for one like to see people use their talents to win cold hard cash! Oh, and have some fun in the process!    So what is the plan?

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What Is It?

new CloudApp() is a US-based developer challenge for .NET & PHP developers creating cloud applications or services (hereafter “application”) on the Azure™ Services Platform. Have your application judged by industry leadersOm Malik and Michael Cote and share your cloud coding skills with other developers. Grand Prize Winners will be announced at Structure 09 and featured on azure.com.

Register and submit your application now!

When?

  • April 30:  Contest Open
  • June 18:Submission deadline
  • June 19:Community voting starts
  • June 25:.NET & PHP category winners announced @ Structure 09
  • June 29:Community voting ends
  • June 30:Community winner announced

What Could I Win?*

Winning submissions will:

  • Be featured on www.azure.com as well as at major Microsoft events
  • Be featured in a video interview on Channel 9
  • Be announced at Structure 09
  • Receive cash ($):
    • NET App Category winner: $5,000 VISA gift card
    • PHP App Category winner: $5,000 VISA gift card
    • Community winner: $2,500 VISA gift card

So, seriously, step up! If you’ve never written an app for the Cloud before, now is the time when there is money on the table! MONEY ON THE TABLE? WHERE, SIGNZ ME UPS! err… Damn lolcatz!    But seriously.. if this is your bag, as it were, no better time than the present for peer acceptance and pocketbook love!   Check it out, and doooo it! :)

Trika Embeds bowling into TechEd Party scene

Another Party at TechEd! This party is being hosted by Trika “I love you” Harms Zum Spreckel and the Windows Embedded Team at the Lucky Strike Lanes! (No her nickname isn’t actually “I love you” that was more of an undying love for trika confession! ;)”

Here are the details, and a link back to Trika so you can get the formal published registration when that time comes!

Lucky Strike with Windows Embedded: Community Party at TechEd

What:
An evening of bowling, drinks, music, food and general swankiness with the Windows Embedded team (all 18 lanes, pool tables, foosball, ping pong, great food, open bar, and a D.J….)

Where:

Right across from TechEd at Lucky Strikes Lanes in LA: http://www.bowlluckystrike.com/locations/info/?id=26

When:

Tuesday, May 12 – 7 PM to 11 PM

Who:

The Windows Embedded team, partners, and customers; plus special guests the Microsoft Certified developer community (MCPD, MCAD, MCSD, MCTS).

Why:

To celebrate what Windows Embedded and Microsoft Certified developers have in common: demonstrated skills using our platform and development tools, commitment to Microsoft, and a love of… bowlng. We want to mix it up and introduce embedded development to the top Windows developers and for Windows Embedded developers and partners to get to know the outstanding Windows development community.

How:

You’ll need to register online in advance (registration URL in development) and then show your printed confirmation to pick up your blue wristband (required to enter the party) at the Windows Embedded Technical Learning Center. Party is for Windows Embedded community and Certified Developers; be prepared to show your MCP ID or a transcript when you pick up your wristband.

Also, this will be included in the other Parties at TechEd Post (Wow, lots of parties on Tues!)

TechEd Parties – 2 weeks away!

Who creates the learning of the future? You do with LCDS

Wait, what? LCDS? Who? When? Maybe even How?!

There’s a new version of the Microsoft Learning Content Development System!

Hey now, let me get this straight, you’re saying not only does Microsoft provide countless tools for Learning and Education through Programs and Blogs, but they also provide you tools so you can build your own education programs yourself?!

Yes, yes that is correct! The Learning Content Development System (LCDS) Is exactly that tool!

LCDS

Not to mention that they even have ‘sample course titles’ that you can use to get yourself started creating your own education or training packages! To which I denounce ‘sweet!’

I never would have known about this if not for our good friends at the MSLearning Blog, so special thanks to them and especially Ken Rosen for his post on this – Roll Your Own E-Learning