From the Editor
Volume 12, Number 25: December 1, 2008
"Dreams are free," a good friend once told me; and in this economy the word
"free" has become quite desirable. That's why I want to talk about "free software and
free learning." As it turns out, there is a lot of free software out there, if you know
where to look. A wise person once told me to get educated when jobs searches are
challenging. Getting up to speed on the latest tools and technologies can only help.
So here are some ideas:
Free MSDN Events Unleashed
Interviewing for jobs? Would you like to be able to answer some key interview
questions? I recommend you attend my presentation on January 7 in Mountain View, CA.
This is your chance to learn about Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), which
is the definitive way to create incredibly beautiful applications, including
drawing and animation for the ultimate user experience, features that were previously
available only from specialized libraries. WPF includes a blend of intelligence and style
that is sure to please both developers and designers. Then I will show you how to efficiently
and quickly adapt the WPF application and make it accessible from within a browser
that uses Silverlight. This is how the Olympics
were delivered via the Web to the public.
This presentation also takes a look at ADO.NET Data Services, formerly known as "Astoria,"
which allows you to expose complex data across the Internet. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve
basis so register early.
Visual Studio Express Editions
My job is to evangelize new products. It turns out that Microsoft understands the
need to offer functional developer tools for free. These are the
Express editions. This is a great place to get a friend
to start programming without a big investment. You can download the following products:
• Visual Basic 2008 Express
• Visual C# 2008 Express
• Visual C++ 2008 Express
• Visual Web Developer 2008 Express
• SQL Server 2008 Express
There are also some free learning resources to accompany the free software. Check
out the Beginner Developer Learning Center.
Maybe you’ve outgrown our Express editions and you are ready for our most powerful
platform: Visual Studio Team 2008 Team Suite, which allows large distributed development
teams to share a large code base in multiple languages. Offer available through June 30, 2009.
Learn about a state-of-the-business update on their strategic direction, priorities,
offerings and opportunities-for-engagement in FY08.
Cloud Computing and the Azure™ Services Platform - Cloud computing represents
the new wave of innovation that will significantly transform many aspects of computing as
we know today. During this session, we will discuss Microsoft’s outlook and strategy in
moving towards cloud computing, providing the next-generation cloud-based platform for
building services in the cloud. We will provide an overview of the enterprise-class
components and the Live Services components of the Azure Services Platform.
Live Mesh - A Platform to Build On - The brainchild of Microsoft Chief
Architect Ray Ozzie, Live Mesh is far more than a data synchronization system. Windows
Live Services is platform that combines the power of cloud services with convenience
and power of your many devices. In this talk, we will explore opportunities to develop
real world applications that:
• Make devices work together
• Make data and applications available from anywhere
• Put the people you need to connect with just a few clicks away for sharing and collaborating
• Provide the information you need to stay up-to-date and always be available
To register, please click here
or call 1.877.MSEVENT (1.877.673.8368).
December 8, 2008
Microsoft Corporation
1065 La Avenida
Mountain View, CA 94043
Main: 650.614.5500
Event ID: 1032396400
XamlFest
Here is a great two day interactive event “XamlFest” that we are offering at our
Microsoft, Mountain View campus from 12/17-12/18 where you’ll learn about the platforms
the tools and processes used to deliver differentiated user experiences. It’s a chance
for you to mingle with UX minded Microsoft folks as well as industry leading design integrators.
It’s also an opportunity to pick up a free copy of Visual Studio 2008 and Expression Studio 2
for you attendance.
Each XamlFest day will start with interactive sessions by Microsoft and our design partners,
followed by a free lunch and a chance to network, have some fun and win prizes. Each afternoon
will be geared toward assisted development with instructor-led walkthroughs, or, better yet, come
with your own project in mind and we’ll help kick start your very own proof of concept!
To register, please send an e-mail with
the names and e-mail addresses of your attendees.
We’re asking that each company send no more than 3 people to this event so that we accommodate
as many as possible. We’re allowing only 50 attendees to ensure we deliver a good experience
during the assisted development sessions. We’re only allowing 50 attendees to this event.
First come, first served.
December 17-18, 2008
Microsoft Technology Center: Silicon Valley
1065 La Avenida—Building One
Mountain View, CA 94043
(650) 693-1001
Thanks for reading,
Bruno
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