The day will be October 22nd, which will lead host to not only the next Chicago Windows Users Group meeting, but it’ll also be a Windows 7 Party!

I’ll have some of the prizes/giveaways for the Windows 7 party with me, but lo and behold here are the details for the Chicago meeting of the CWUG!

We had our Annual PC Recycle at our September meeting in Downers Grove.  Brian Jones arranged for ATEN to join us in the parking lot of the Microsoft Downers Grove parking lot again this year (thanks Brian!).  This was also our 2nd consumer focused CWUG – Jeri Stodola gave an example of our very first birds of a feather session and has earned her very own Windows 7 Backpack!  We’re still looking for topic suggestions and facilitators for our 2^nd Enterprise focused meeting which will be held downtown Chicago in the afternoon. Sign up information is provided below NOTE:  the date was changed to October 22^nd.

October Meeting – Enterprise Focused

Thursday, October 22^nd

12:30 – 1:30 bring lunch/network

1:30 – 1:45  meeting begins

1:45 – 4:15 Topics and Birds of a Feather sessions

Session 1:  HyperV

Session 2:  Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DART)

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032424373&culture=en-US

Going forward, we will use the CWUG online group to share information, communicate with each other and schedule meetings:  http://cwug.groups.live.com

Be sure to SIGN Up for the CWUG and I will see you there!

There are some exciting changes in store for the Chicago Windows User Group.  Here are the cliff notes.  

1.  We have a new way to collaborate http://cwug.groups.live.com sign up today. 

2.  We are changing the meeting formats. 

3.  Introducing Birds of a Feather sessions. 

Read the rest for all the juicy details.

Starting this July, we’re going to go all in by connecting participants based upon Windows Live IDs.  This enables a lot more collaboration and networking even outside of our in person meetings.  To sign up for the new Windows Live Group site please visit http://cwug.groups.live.com  This is a continuation of our facebook, portal, web presence, live mesh and twitter sites.  Think of this new site, and the main repository of CWUG information.  24X7 collaboration opportunities.  Those who collab more will be rewarded ;)

http://twitter.com/cwug

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4397556247

http://portal.cwug.net

CWUG Live Mesh with boot from VHD instructions:  email drey@microsoft.com

The other big change is with our meetings.  We are changing our format based on feedback from our members, sponsors and board.  Starting this month we will have 2 types of meetings.  The first is a consumer broad interest meeting which will be focused Windows in the home or hobbyist.  The second is a meeting focused on enterprise customers.  This meeting will be focused on business customers who run Windows as their desktop and server OS.  Our schedule will be as follows :

Consumer Space meetings will be held on odd months in Downers Grove. 

Our Enterprise meetings will be held on even months at the Chicago Microsoft Technology Center. 

We would like to be clear, anyone is welcome to attend any meeting based on interests.  In fact, we feel that we will be able to offer something for everyone no matter what your role or purpose with Windows is.  We will also be branching off and eventually holding/hosting consumer meetings downtown and enterprise meetings in Downers Grove.  Let us work out the kinks in this new system before we do that.

We will also offer 2 birds of a feather meeting slots at each meeting.  What is a birds of a feather (BOF) session? BOF is where a member or partner will host a side meeting during our regular meetings.  You can sign up for these on first come first serve basis.  You want to geek out and talk about clusters, PKI, Home Automation or what ever else you want to collaborate with some of the brightest minds around?  Well that is what a birds of a feather session is.  You own it, you drive attendance, you do everything but we set up the location for you.  Birds of a feather session can be presentation, discussion, meditation; we do not care, just make it cool and try to drive value for your self and the rest of the community.  Email Robert Nottoli (robnotto@microsoft.com) to sign up or additional information.  These will be rated and published!

Here are our next 2 meetings and third quarter volunteer/non profit/fund raising opportunity:

July 16th
Consumer Focused:  3025 Highland Ave, Suite 300, Downers Grove Il
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032420958&Culture=en-US
5:00 to 6:00 Food Networking
6::00 to 7:15 Home Automation using Windows technologies. 
7:30 to 8:45 Windows Live portfolio of Software as Service
8:45 to 9:00 Wrap Up
We will also have a Ford Sync on hand to demonstrate this cool Windows technology.
CWUG will also be raffling away a Starter Home Automation Kit.
Birds of a Feather meeting #1:  Open
Birds of a Feather meeting #2: Open

August 20th
Enterprise Focused:  200 West Randolph Suite 200, Chicago
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032420966&Culture=en-US
12:30 to 1:30 Lunch – bring your own.  We will supply beverages and cookies
1:30 to 2:45 Power Shell 2.0 for technology users
3:00 to 4:15 Windows 7 deep dive for technology professionals-How to get ready and deploy Windows 7 for business users
4:15 to 4:30 wrap up

Saturday August 1st

We are inviting CWUG members, family and friends for the 2^nd annual Team Microsoft CowaLUNGa Bike Tour

http://my.imisfriendraising.com/TeamPage.aspx?teamID=32552&LangPref=en-CA

In closing it is an exciting time to come out and become a part of the Chicago Windows User Group again, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are shipping and we are stepping up our community effort to better serve our members and community.  There are also a ton of opportunities to help the user group and community out, contact Robert Nottoli (robnotto@microsoft.com) if you have any ideas or you would like to get involved.

Here are the details as published in the CWUG Regular mailing:

Plan to spend the evening of Thurs, May 21st with a laptop, RC software and the most technical and talented group of IT Professionals gathered in one place.  We are gearing up for a Release Candidate Loadfest – bring a laptop, blank DVD and/or 4 gb (or higher) USB thumbnail drive and leave with either the Release Candidate of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 (hopefully you are already running one of these today; learn ways to run the other version).  We’re planning a packed agenda of presentations – Microsoft’s Daniel Savage will present System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 and Microsoft’s Rob Nottoli will present Windows Server 2008 R2.  Attendees can join us at either the Microsoft Downers Grove or Chicago office.  Your registration is your entry into our biggest giveaways of the year (but you must be present at one of the meetings to win). Please share with your technical teams.

1. Event URL : http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032416349&Culture=en-US
Event Title : CWUG May Meeting Chicago. There is a restaurant open in the basement of the AON Center.  Food is not provided at this meeting.

2. Event URL : http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032416350&Culture=en-US
Event Title : CWUG May Meeting Downers Grove. Because there isn’t a restaurant open or conveniently located, food is provided.

5:00 – 5:30 Networking

5:30 – 6:00 Room Introductions

6:00 – 6:15 Meeting Kick Off

Session 1:  SCOM 2007 R2 Presentation

15 minutes: Break and Q&A for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Session 2:  Windows Server 2008 R2

Giveaways are planned – one of which will be running the Release Candidate of Windows 7 (and another that could back up a PC running or in preparation of the Release Candidate).

Chris Urban’s book is out!  Announced at MMS 2009, Mastering System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 is available at http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-047017367X.html.

CWUG’s Christopher Kusek has been “On The Bus” and is attending Tech Ed 2009 this week http://www.pkguild.com/

For all the Microsoft Partner Program participants, check out the US Central Region Partner Team’s Blog at http://blogs.technet.com/uspartner_centralregion/default.aspx and attend CWUG’s May meeting for some great partner opportunities in May and June.

Save the date for the biggest CWUG event of 2009 (yet….) – Thursday, May 21st.

The CWUG Crew

To take things a step further, I will also have Microsoft Certification Vouchers available for people looking to take an exam before June 30th, 2009!   The vouchers entitle you to two chances to take an exam for $25.00 total, which is just great!

There is a caveat around this, in order to use a voucher you have to actually use it, and for every one who takes an exam, you will be entered into a drawing for a special prize for taking advantage of your education and certification! :)

So, get ready for the fun and adventure on Thursday, and get your Certification hat on! Every one of you who takes it to bear has a good chance of winning a major prize!   See you Thursday! (Oh, and I’ll be in Downers Grove for whoever is counting/asking :))

There’s still time to register!

Special location based events whether you’re in Chicago or Downers Grove!

Chicago: 7:45 p.m. System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 Overview
Downers Grove: Resume and Job Interviewing tips

Event URL: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032413068&Culture=en-US
Event Title : CWUG: April Meeting – Chicago Loop
Event Date: Thursday, April 16th
Event Address : 200 E. Randolph, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60601

Event URL: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032413069&Culture=en-US
Event Title : CWUG: April Meeting – Downers Grove
Event Date: Thursday, April 16th
Event Address : 3025 Highland Pkwy. Suite 300, Downers Grove, IL 60515

5:00 – 5:30 p.m. Networking
5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Room Introductions
6:00 – 6:15 p.m. Meeting kick off
6:15 – 7:30 p.m. Windows Gone Mobile (Windows mobile, netbooks, and multitouch devices)
7:30 – 7:45 p.m. break
7:45 – 9:00 p.m. Hands On Lab (Bitlocker To Go – bring your own USB Stick)

Join our group on Facebook
Follow CWUG on Twitter
And don’t forget to visit the main site for the CWUG!

What do you get when you bring a bunch of technical people together in a community setting to learn about technology and ask them to bring food for charity? Well, I hope to see more food than we can carry!

In an effort of community interest, good will, and what I rightly see as a good Experiment at this point, this month (March 19th) CWUG will involve not only a brown bag lunch, but also a request to bring unopened items to donate to the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Honestly, it sounds like an amazing idea, one of which I think every user group, or even “Meet Up” and “Tweet Up” in Chicagoland and beyond should start doing on a regular basis – What better way to bring community together than by helping build out a part of community which is in need.

The agenda for next week’s CWUG is as follows:

Bring an item for the Pot Luck Dinner:

Last name A – F: Loaf of Bread + 1 bag Chips
Last name G – L: 6 pack Bottled Water
Last name M – R: Peanut butter
Last name S – Z: Jelly

5:00 – 5:30 Brown Bag Potluck and Networking
5:30 – 6:00 Room Introductions
6:00 – 6:15 Welcome/Meeting Kickoff
6:15 – 7:30 Microsoft Virtualization Technologies (App-V, MED-V, Hyper-V and Boot to VHD)
7:30 – 7:45 Break
7:45 – 9:00 Hands on labs – Windows 7 boot to VHD

Event URL : http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032407001&Culture=en-US
Event Title : CWUG: March Meeting – Chicago Loop
Event Date: Thursday, March 19th
Event Address : 200 E. Randolph, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60601

Event URL : http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032407003&Culture=en-US

Event Title : CWUG: March Meeting – Downers Grove
Event Date: Thursday, March 19th
Event Address : 3025 Highland Pkwy. Suite 300, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Also, check out the group online, on Facebook and on Twitter!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know via email, @cxi on twitter, etc!