Microsoft unveiled their new Ulta Mobile PC (code named Origami) today. It looks really cool. You can get information about it on http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/umpc/default.mspx.

Next week there will be free training on SQL Server 2005 available in the Microsoft Offices. Details below:

You are invited to attend a SQL Server 2005 Overview: Development, Business Intelligence & Management training class.  Microsoft is pleased to offer this training at no charge

 

REGISTRATION ENDS March 10, 2006 by 12 noon

Elements of this syllabus are subject to change.

This one-day course provides students with the knowledge and skills to understand the new features in SQL Server 2005 as well as take advantage of the significant improvements made to SQL Server in the areas of infrastructure, development, and business intelligence.

Audience

This course is intended for experienced rich client developers, web developers, database administrators. This lecture based class will cover key features of SQL Server 2005 as well as a look into how to convert existing SQL Server 2000 databases to SQL Server 2005.

At Seminar Completion

Students will be able to effectively use:

·         SQL Server Developer Platform – SQLCLR, Client, XML, TSQL Enhancements

·         Business Intelligence Platform – Reporting Services, Analysis Services, Integration services

·         Infrastructure Platform – Migration, Management, Enterprise Availability

 

Prerequisites

Before attending this course, students must have:

§         Experience using SQL Server 2000

§         Experience managing SQL Server 2000 databases

 

Lunch

In appreciation for your attendance to this seminar, Microsoft will be providing lunch.

 

Seminar Dates and Location:

March 15^th, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Microsoft Corporation

123 Wright Brothers Drive, Suite 100

Salt Lake City, UT 84116

801-257-6400

http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/info/usaoffices/rockymtn/saltlakecity.mspx

 

Register today at: http://www.microsofttraining.com/devonsites

Class/Invitation ID 304439 or click here

I took a beta exam yesterday to upgrade my MCSD to the new certification. If you are looking for hints or outright answers to the test you are looking in the wrong place. All I will say is that I should have studied more. I thought I knew about the subjects on the test, and I still think that I do but when the questions came down to which method do you call on this object I was doing some guessing. I think that intellisense has made me a little bit lazy and I couldn't remember the exact method names.

I won't know if I passed or not for up to 8 weeks (that is all part and parcel of the beta exam) but I am hoping I passed so I can maintain my MCT credential.

I have part 2 of the exam on Friday.

Just in case you are available to speak in Denver on May 20 you might want to check this out:

FRONT RANGE CODE CAMP

SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2006 / DENVER, CO

 

Front Range Code Camp is a one day Developer community building event being presented by everyone in the developer community on development focused topics. It is by pre-registration only and someone may register as a speaker or an attendee. Please visit http://www.frontrangecodecamp.com to register to attend and feel free to invite others.

We expect 100-150 to attend the Code Camp.

 

Microsoft is graciously hosting the Code Camp at their Denver Tech Center offices. They’ve opened six multi-media classrooms for our use.

 

Code Camp sessions are 1 hour long, to the point, and filled with code and actual hands-on demonstrations. Each session is kept to an hour so we can pack several sessions into the day. These sessions are about showing your favorite flavor or development tools. A successful session will go deep into a single topic. 

 

This is a GREAT opportunity to get noticed in the Denver developer community for all (both experienced and none experienced presenters).

 

Because these sessions are different than the standard conference sessions, there will be a mandatory speaker preparation meeting about a week before the code camp. For those of you flying in there will be a meeting the night before and you will have a chance to test your hardware.

 

You must bring your own laptop for your presentation. You’ll have a chance to test the video connections during the speaker prep meeting. There will be a room on site for speaker prep during the day of Code Camp.

 

Any code samples you show must be made available for download from Code Camp web site.  The code must be emailed no later than May 15^th.

 

We are not covering travel and expenses for speakers, but you will receive a way cool shirt and some swag.

 

If you’re interested please submit a session title, abstract, and bio at http://www.frontrangecodecamp.com/Presenters.aspx

or send email to Richard Lawrence at richardl@frontrangecodecamp.com

It appears that Microsoft has announced the versions for Windows Vista. There is an article on engadget that lists 6 different versions. I don't know how much of these new versions are the result of market surveys and how much it is the result of lawsuits over the bundling of tools but I think it will be confusing for some people. I suspect that the big box retailers will have just one or maybe two different versions that they sell and it will pretty much boil down to you buying that one but I can see problems for programmers if we have to remember what version of the OS has what tools installed on it and more especially if certain functionality is disabled because you don't have the right version.

I just read an opinion piece at http://www.onstrategies.com/filesnew/perspectives/perspectivescurrent.html that has a quote about the Open Source Software business model and likens it to the Internet bubble that we experienced not that long ago. The relevant quote is:

Does mean that open source has finally become a viable business?
 
According to a Forbes online filing, the answer's no. Likening the open source rush to
the dot com bubble, Forbes says that this time around, customers are also placing
themselves at risk. According to an eWeek account of an elite CIO panel last fall, few
considered open source technology or business models adequately proven.
 
The Forbes article added that open source wasn't such a great deal for vendors either.
"Problem is, most people just take the free stuff and run." Exhibit A? Barely 3% to 5% of
JBoss customers buy support contracts.

The article then goes on to talk about 3 different OSS models. I found it very interesting reading.

The February Geek Dinner is coming up next Wednesday night. It will be held at the Miller Business Innovation Center at 6 PM. Here is a description that came in my e-mail with a link at the bottom to sign up for the event.

**EVENT SUMMARY**
DevUtah's February Geek Dinner will be held at the Miller Business
Innovation Center on Wednesday February 22 at 6 PM.

David Spann and Alistair Cockburn will lead a discussion on “Introducing
Agile to the Organization”. If you’ve heard of Agile methodologies but
can’t get others in your organization interested; or if you’ve been a
member of a high performing Agile team but can’t find the right words to
convince upper management to spread the “gospel”, this discussion may be
helpful. David and Alistair will take your questions before they begin
and will respond to as many as possible. Being agile by nature, they
want to meet your (the customer’s) interest. If you’ve only heard about
Agile, feel free to do a little research and post beginner questions as
well.

**SPEAKERS**
David Spann is high-tech management consultant who focuses teams on
making a reasonable return on investment while exceeding customer
expectations. David has helped conduct each of the annual Agile Software
Conferences since the first one held at Westminster College in 2002 and
is currently involved with Alistair Cockburn in developing Utah's Agile
Project Leadership Network.

Alistair Cockburn is an internationally known project witchdoctor and
strategist. He co-authored the 2001 Manifesto for Agile Software
Development and the 2005 project management "Declaration of
Inter-Dependence" and has written several best-selling books.

**MENU**
A build-your-own taco buffet will be catered by Megan Faulkner Brown.

The meal cost is $12. You can prepay from the wiki or just bring cash to
pay at the door.

Please RSVP:
http://www.phil801.com/devutah/index.php?title=2006_February_Event

Fellow Regional Director and all around nice guy J. Michael Palermo IV has done it again. He has written a valentine day love story that geeks can truly appreciate. You can read it at http://weblogs.asp.net/palermo4/archive/2006/02/14/DotNetLovePartII.aspx

It looks like the folks in Boise are planning on having a code camp next month. It is on March 18. If you would like to attend or even better speak at this event you can get more information at http://www.boisecodecamp.org.

I have never attended a code camp but from everything that I hear they are a lot of fun. It is also a wonderful opportunity for people who are thinking that they might want to get into speaking to start to get some experience talking about something that is interesting to them.