Two Locations – Houston & Dallas

• Dallas:   Tuesday, May 24, 2011  1:30 – 4:30 PM
  Microsoft Dallas Office -  7000 SR-161 (George Bush Turnpike), Irving, TX 75039
• Houston: Thursday, May 26, 2011  1:30 – 4:30 PM
  Microsoft Houston Office – 2000 W Sam Houston Parkway S, Houston, TX 77042

Brought to you by Microsoft, CODE Training & EPS Software, this free afternoon event presents an unbiased look at the current and future development with .NET. Join Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Markus Egger, for an afternoon of free and independent information about current Microsoft development technologies! What is the state of .NET today? Which of the many .NET technologies have gained traction? Which ones can you ignore for now? What other Microsoft technologies should you include in your development efforts? This event is completely free of charge and is designed for developers as well as IT decision makers. Specific prior knowledge is not required. Attendees of this event will come away with a clear understanding of which technologies to use for various technical challenges.

Topics will include:

• Cloud (Azure & others)
• The State of Services
• IE9
• HTML 5
• Windows Phone 7 and other devices
• ASP.NET MVC, Razor and jQuery
• Visual Studio Async
• Productivity Power Tools
• Various .NET Framework Topics
• Visual Studio LightSwitch
• and more!

Dallas Signup Link- Tuesday, May 24, 2011  1:30 – 4:30
Houston Signup Link- Thursday, May 26, 2011  1:30 – 4:30

If you are a developer, you’ve probably heard plenty about the cloud. But if you’re and IT professional, what have you heard about it? How does it intersect with the datacenter? How does it make your job easier – or harder? Is it something that your organization is looking at? Is the cloud something your organization _should_ be looking at but hasn’t really dug into it yet?

Whether we like it or not, the cloud – in all its varied forms – is coming. It’s best for us to be prepared, whether we are developers (see: Windows Azure Boot Camp) or whether we are IT professionals (see: this very post). Because the cloud is coming. We need to get ready for it and how we plan to address it or incorporate it… Or we could be left behind.

To help IT professionals understand what the cloud means to then, starting in March 2011 we launch our new series of TechNet Events, this series focusing on how IT is being transformed into a dynamic, service-based resource for your business. Think not just about things like Virtualization, but consider taking advantage of cloud-like solutions, whether in your own datacenter or hosted elsewhere. After all, choosing the right solution for the right scenario is always critically important.

The Events
Our events will cover three topics. First is cloud computing essentials for IT professionals. Second delves into the public cloud, covering the what, why and how you leverage the public cloud as part of your overall computing and infrastructure strategy. Last we cover the private cloud, again digging into the what, why and how you employ pooled computing resources, automated management, scalability, and on-demand provisioning via on premise resources as opposed to public cloud off premise assets.

The Schedule
Here is our full, 23-city schedule. We launch the series in just a month and run through mid-May 2011. If you live in or near one of these cities, please join us. If you won’t have the opportunity to join us in person, please follow the blogs of our resident cloud computing expert, Kevin Remde, and his peers (Matt Hester, Brian Lewis, and John Weston) to see alternative online options to learn more about cloud computing on premise and off.

• Grand Rapids, MI – Tuesday, March 15, 2011
• Detroit, MI – Thursday, March 17, 2011
• Cleveland, OH – Tuesday, March 22, 2011
• Bloomington, MN – Wednesday, March 23, 2011
• Milwaukee, WI – Wednesday, March 23, 2011
• Columbus, OH – Thursday, March 24, 2011
• St. Louis, MO – Monday, March 28, 2011
• Madison, WI – Tuesday, March 29, 2011
• Overland Park, KS – Tuesday, March 29, 2011
• Omaha, NE – Wednesday, March 30, 2011
• Nashville, TN – Friday, April 1, 2011
• Baton Rouge, LA – Tuesday, April 5, 2011
• Cincinnati, OH – Wednesday, April 6, 2011
• Dallas, TX   – Thursday, April 7, 2011
• Houston, TX – Tuesday, April 12, 2011
• Louisville, KY – Wednesday, April 13, 2011
• Indianapolis, IN – Thursday, April 14, 2011
• Austin, TX – Thursday, April 14, 2011
• Chicago, IL – Thursday, April 21, 2011
• Des Moines, IA – Friday, April 22, 2011
• Tulsa, OK – Tuesday, April 26, 2011
• Downers Grove, IL – Tuesday, May 10, 2011
• Cedar Rapids, IA – Thursday, May 12, 2011

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What do WPF, Silverlight 4, and Internet Explorer 9 have in common? No, that’s not a riddle. Really, it’s not a riddle. They are all FTW. What I mean by that is they all offer developers unique ways to exploit the power of Windows 7, such as integrating with the taskbar, leveraging jump lists, or offering the ability to exploit multi-touch or hardware sensors.

FTW?
And why am I even talking about this? Well closely following on the heels of our Windows Azure Boot Camp announcement, we are gearing up another boot camp series: For the Win: Window 7 Development Boot Camp. This new series of events will include evangelist-led presentations by none other than the purely awesome Jennifer Marsman as well as hands-on labs to help you really dig into developing client-centric applications using WPF and XAML, Silverlight, and Internet Explorer 9 (yes, client-centric integrations from your web site with just a touch of HTML5).

What’s Covered?
Jennifer will cover application compatibility and transitioning your application to Windows 7, leveraging the Windows taskbar and jump lists, exploiting the taskbar and jump lists from your web site using IE9, taking advantage of new sensor, location and multi-touch functionality, and creating Silverlight 4 out of browser applications. Each boot camp will last a full day, starting off right at 8am local time, include lunch, several sessions and a couple of hands-on labs to help you really get a feel for how to take advantage of Windows 7 capabilities in your applications.

So, yes, this is a BYOL (bring your own laptop) event. Windows 7 is required, as is several other pieces of software: Visual Studio 2008 or 2010, Windows API Code Pack, Windows 7 Training Kit for Developers, IE9, and Silverlight 4.

What Cities?

• Waukesha, WI on 1/17/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Downers Grove, IL on 1/18/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Indianapolis, IN on 1/19/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Independence, OH on 1/24/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Columbus, OH on 1/25/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Mason, OK on 1/27/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Franklin, TN on 2/3/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Southfield, MI on 2/7/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Bloomington, MN on 2/14/2011 at 8:00 AM
• St. Louis, MO on 2/15/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Overland Park, KS on 2/16/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Des Moines, IA on 2/17/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Houston, TX on 2/21/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Irving, TX on 2/22/2011 at 8:00 AM
• Austin, TX on 2/24/2011 at 8:00 AM

Windows Azure Boot Camp is a two day deep dive class to get you up to speed on developing for Windows Azure. The class includes a trainer with deep, real world experience with Azure, as well as a series of labs so you can practice what you just learned.

Agenda

1. Intro to Cloud Computing and Azure
2. Web Roles
3. Messages and Queues
4. Using Azure Tables
5. Using BLOB Storage
6. Worker Roles
7. Diagnostics and Service Management
8. SQL Azure
9. Connecting with AppFabric
10. Cloud Computing Scenarios
11. Available Resources

What do I need to bring?

During the boot camp you will have opportunities to practice what you learn with labs. Having all of your software ready will make it easier to dive into the yummy goodness of exploring the labs. The lab files package will be given to you during the event .If you want to have everything loaded into a virtual PC that would be even better

In order to run these labs you will need to bring:

• Power strip or extension cord
• A computer or laptop:
  • Operating Systems Supported: Windows 7; Windows Server 2008; Windows Server 2008 R2; Windows Vista Service Pack 1; Windows Vista Service Pack 2
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 2010
  • SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (or above)
  • Install the SDK and Tools

Windows Azure Boot Camp Schedule

• Cleveland, OH – January 19, 2011 at 8:30am EDT
• Austin, TX – January 19, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Waukesha, WI – January 25, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Cincinnati, OH – January 25, 2011 at 8:30am EDT
• Chattanooga, TN – February 1, 2011 at 8:30am EDT
• Tulsa, OK – February 8, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Columbus, OH – February 8, 2011 at 8:30am EDT
• Grand Rapids, MI – February 15, 2011 at 8:30am EDT
• Dallas, TX – February 16, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Little Rock, AR – February 23, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Chicago, IL – February 23, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Minneapolis, MN – March 9, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Indianapolis, IN – March 9, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Houston, TX – March 16, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Memphis, TN – March 23, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Overland Park, KS – March 30, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Nashville, TN – April 6, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Southfield, MI – April 13, 2011 at 8:30am EDT
• Downers Grove, IL – April 20, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Des Moines, IA – April 26, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• St. Louis, MO – May 4, 2011 at 8:30am CDT
• Bloomington, MN – May 9, 2011 at 8:30am CDT

If you can’t make it to the in-person events, there are a number of online resources to help with your Azure studies:

• Introduction to Cloud Computing and Windows Azure – originally aired November 29, 2010
• Windows Azure and Web Roles – scheduled for December 6, 2010 at 11am PDT
• Worker Roles – scheduled for December 13, 2010 at 11am PDT
• Working with Messaging and Queues – scheduled for January 3, 2011 at 11am PDT
• Using Windows Azure Tables – scheduled for January 10, 2011 at 11am PDT
• Diving into BLOB Storage – scheduled for January 17, 2011 at 11am PDT
• Diagnostics and Service Management – scheduled for January 24, 2011 at 11am PDT
• SQL Azure – scheduled for January 31, 2011 at 11am PDT
• Connecting with AppFabric – scheduled for February 7, 2011 at 11am PDT
• Cloud Computing Scenarios – scheduled for February 14, 2011 at 11am PDT

EPS Software presents the State of .NET

A free, unbiased look at the current and future development with .NET.
Brought to you by Microsoft, CODE Training & EPS Software, this free afternoon event presents an unbiased look at the current and future development with .NET. Join MVP and RD Markus Egger, for an afternoon of free and independent information about current Microsoft development technologies! What is the state of .NET today? Which of the many .NET technologies have gained traction? Which ones can you ignore for now? What’s new in .NET? What other Microsoft technologies should you include in your development efforts?

Houston – Nov 9 from 1:00 – 4:30 at the Microsoft Office in Houston

Dallas – Nov 15 from 1:00 – 4:30 at the Microsoft Office in Las Colinas

Visit www.codemag.com/training and sign up today

Start Dreaming. Start Building.

There has been a tremendous amount of buzz and excitement in the developer community as we get ready to launch Windows Phone 7. There have been over 300,000+ downloads of the Windows Phone 7 developer tools as developers are eager to take advantage of this next wave of computing. To help you along the way, my team is sponsoring a number of *free* Windows Phone 7 Boot Camp training events across the area. The purpose of these boot camps is to provide guidance around building apps and games that target Windows Phone 7 and lead  you down the path to start earning money in the Windows Marketplace.

Training and Hands-on Labs

Throughout the day, we’ll dive deep into the Windows Phone developer tools along with the services and components that allow you to light up your apps on Windows Phone 7. Bring your laptop! In the afternoon, we’ve set aside time for people to walk through various hands-on labs and give them an opportunity to get their hands dirty with the tools. We’ll have experts on hand to answer your questions as well.

Prerequisites for the Hands-on Labs

Unfortunately training machines will not be provided. You are welcome to bring your own machine with WiFi capability. To prepare for the labs, please download the Windows Phone Developer Tools and Windows Phone 7 Training Kit prior to the event. (Note: please check the system requirements on the Windows Phone Developer Tools download page)

App Testing – Bring your XAP!

Have you been working hard over the past few months building the next Angry Birds or the next great Social App? Bring your XAP (or your source code) and we’ll provide an opportunity for you to test it on a real device!

Windows Phone 7 Boot Camp Agenda

8:00 am – 8:30: Registration Opens

8:30 – 12:00pm:

• Overview of the Windows Phone 7 Platform
• An In-Depth View of Building Applications for Windows Phone 7 with Microsoft Silverlight
• WP7 + Data

12:00 – 12:30pm: Lunch

12:30 – 2:30pm:

• Building Games for Windows Phone 7 with XNA
• Making Money with the Windows Marketplace

2:30pm – 5:00pm:

• Hands-on Labs and App testing

Sign me up!

The event is FREE – to register, all you need to do is click on a link representing one of our cities below:

My colleagues over on the East Coast are running a series of Windows Phone training events as well. Check them out!

• Glen Gordon – Windows Phone 7 developers – free training and app building workshops!
• Joe Healy – Windows Phone Garage East Coast Tour – Fall 2010

(Thanks to Dave Bost for letting me copy some of his content for this post)

Are you ready to gain access to the latest tools, turning your hobby into a source of revenue, or expand your network?

Stop dreaming. Start building. Join us for a new series of Windows Phone 7 Bootcamps where you can get an inside track on how to be part of the next step of Microsoft’s mobile strategy and get hands-on training for building Silverlight-based applications.  These free, live learning sessions explore the latest tools, discuss tips and technologies, and provide access to Windows Phone 7 experts.

ATTEND these special events and learn about:

• the Windows Phone 7 platform
• building Silverlight Applications for Windows Phone 7
• submitting your application to the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace

Take advantage of this opportunity to explore with a Hands-on Lab where you can leverage the Windows Phone 7 Experts and your peers as you build your Windows Phone 7 Application.

Events run from 8am–5pm

Seating for the live event is limited, so register today.

https://microsoft.crgevents.com/Register2010

Here are all the launch dates

• Denver – April 20, 2010
• Miami – April 20, 2010
• Milwaukee – April 20, 2010
• Orlando – April 22, 2010
• Boston – April 29, 2010
• Chicago – April 29, 2010
• New York City – May 13, 2010
• Dallas – May 18, 2010
• Washington, D.C. – May 18, 2010
• L.A. (Costa Mesa) – May 18, 2010
• Atlanta – May 20, 2010
• Houston – May 20, 2010
• San Francisco – May 20, 2010
• Detroit – May 25, 2010
• Philadelphia – May 27, 2010
• Minneapolis – May 27, 2010
• Seattle – May 27, 2010

Head over to the registration site and get signed up today before time runs out!  The first event is only few short weeks away!!!

Free “State of .NET” Event coming to Dallas and Houston

• Dallas: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 1:30 – 4:30 PM
  Microsoft Dallas Office – 7000 SR-161 (George Bush Turnpike), Irving, TX 75039
• Houston: Thursday, April 1, 2010 1:30 – 4:30 PM
  Microsoft Houston Office – 2000 W Sam Houston Pkway S, Houston, TX 77042

Brought to you by Microsoft, CODE Training & EPS Software, this free afternoon event presents an unbiased look at the current and future development with .NET. Join Markus Egger, for an afternoon of free and independent information about current Microsoft development technologies! What is the state of .NET today? Which of the many .NET technologies have gained traction? Which ones can you ignore for now? What is new in .NET 3.5 and the coming .NET 4.0? What other Microsoft technologies should you include in your development efforts? This event is completely free of charge and is designed for developers as well as IT decision makers. Specific prior knowledge is not required. Attendees of this event will come away with a clear understanding of which technologies to use for various technical challenges.

Exact list of topics is under NDA until after MIX announcements have been made.

Dallas Signup Link – Thursday, March 30, 2010 1:30 – 4:30
Houston Signup Link – April 1, 2010 1:30 – 4:30

Our good friends at EPS Software are hosting a FREE event during the month of December in both Dallas and Houston, focused on what�s happening with the .NET platform.  Of special interest to most is that there is some Silverlight 4, Windows 7 and Visual Studio 2010 content included!

Here�s the full info:

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Two Locations – Dallas & Houston:

• Dallas:   Thursday, December 3, 2009  1:30 – 4:30 PM
  Microsoft Dallas Office -  7000 SR-161 (George Bush Turnpike), Irving, TX 75039
• Houston:   Thursday, December 10, 2009  1:30 – 4:30 PM
  Microsoft Houston Office – 2000 W Sam Houston Pkway S, Houston, TX 77042

Brought to you by Microsoft, CODE Training & EPS Software, this free afternoon event presents an unbiased look at the current and future development with .NET. Join Markus Egger, for an afternoon of free and independent information about current Microsoft development technologies! What is the state of .NET today? Which of the many .NET technologies have gained traction? Which ones can you ignore for now? What is new in .NET 3.5 and the coming .NET 4.0? What other Microsoft technologies should you include in your development efforts? This event is completely free of charge and is designed for developers as well as IT decision makers. Specific prior knowledge is not required. Attendees of this event will come away with a clear understanding of which technologies to use for various technical challenges. This is NOT Microsoft marketing hype – this is based on our real-world development experience with varous techologies.

Topics include:

• Silverlight 3.0 and 4.0
• WPF 3.x and 4.0
• Expression Blend
• Windows 7
• Windows Azure and Cloud Services
• Techniques and Paradigms
• ASP.NET MVC
• WCF & SOA
• Visual Studio 2010

Dallas Signup Link – December 3, 2009  1:30 – 4:30
Houston Signup Link – December 10, 2009  1:30 – 4:30

Questions? Please e-mail info@eps-software.com or call 832-717-4445 x32.

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I�ll definitely be at the Dallas event, and Zain will be at the Houston event.  If you come, please make sure to stop by and say Hello to us!