John McClelland's Blog

Is Windows Azure Right for Your Partner Business?

johnmcc — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:29:25 GMT

We’ve all heard about the industry shift to the Cloud, but are you jumpstarting your Windows Azure business to be a part of it?

If you are a Microsoft Partner, specifically a system integrator who builds custom developed solutions, then you are cordially invited to attend our next ProDev Partner Briefing. You will not just hear the usual, but you will hear new insights and points of views from Microsoft’s well-known industry experts and a perspective from a leading edge partner company on what the Windows Azure opportunity means for your organization. We will demonstrate how you will be able to change the face of your business and introduce new revenue streams for building solutions for our customers.

Have you pondered the business opportunity behind Azure?

Do you want to know how to:

Leverage the opportunity and get started / engage your customer?
Assess an organization for Azure and help them determine their S+S strategy?
Compute cloud charges and determine the ROI of migrating to the cloud?
Determine what best practices to apply in migrating applications to Azure?

At this briefing you will:

Receive a recap of key highlights and announcements about Windows Azure
Hear from a leading Azure partner on how to get-started identifying and developing Azure opportunities
Hear from peers within your network about real projects and business development initiatives
Participate in an ask-the-experts panel discussion to get the answers you need to move forward with Azure

Who should attend?

This is a business development briefing for Microsoft Partners, specifically system integrators, who build custom developed solutions. Partner attendees most likely to benefit from this briefing include:

Executive Technology/ Business Liaisons
Technology Decision Makers
Development and Architecture Leaders

AGENDA

8:00 am	Register, Breakfast
8:30 am	Kickoff
8:45 am	Key announcements on Azure
9:15 am	Building An Azure Business Practice
10:15 am	Break
10:30 am	Showcase of Azure Business Models
11:15 am	Ask-The-Experts Panel Discussion
11:45 am	Recap and Takeaways
Noon	Depart

Seating is limited, so register now by clicking on a city “near you” below.

City/State	Date	Event ID	Registration Link
Atlanta, GA	Dec 2, 2009	1032432913	http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9694636
Tampa, FL	Dec 3, 2009	1032432918	http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9694637
Waltham, MA	Dec 7, 2009	1032432919	http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9694638
Philadelphia, PA	Dec 9, 2009	1032432920	http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9694639
Pittsburgh, PA	Dec 15, 2009	1032432922	http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9694640

Optionally call 1-877-MSEVENTS or visit http://msevents.microsoft.com and provide the event ID.

For more information on this event and other partner communications subscribe to the Partner Evangelism team blog here.

Technorati Tags: Azure,Compute,Announcements,Windows,Development,Microsoft,Partners,System,Integrators,Custom,Solutions,Partner,Executive,Technology,Liaisons,Decision,Makers,Architecture,Leaders

Partners Come See Us at PDC

johnmcc — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:45:45 GMT

If you are coming to the PDC we would love to see you!

Please come and drop by our boot (Booth # MPS08). Several of the members of the US DPE Evangelism team will be on hand along with members of the US Solution Partners team. We will also have several of our partners talking about how they have used Microsoft technology to build really cool solutions and they will be explaining about interesting opportunities we have for partners to participate in local and online Software Communities. Also, we would be delighted to catch up with you and update you on our latest programs.

We will have tickets to a special party for our partners on Wednesday night. For those of you who attended PDC last year, you will remember that we do know how to throw a party and yes, it will be a lot of fun again.

Please look for the us. This is the sign that will be at the top of our booth.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Technorati Tags: Events,Announcements,PDC,PDC09,Partners,Booth,Evangelism,Solution,Microsoft,Software,Communities

Events,Announcements,PDC,PDC09,Partners,Booth,Evangelism,Solution,Microsoft,Software,Communities

The MSDN Mid Atlantic Roadshow - Silverlight Data Access and Windows 7 for Developers

johnmcc — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:25:25 GMT

MSDN Events Presents:

The MSDN Mid Atlantic Roadshow
Silverlight Data Access and Windows 7 for Developers

Join Microsoft® Evangelists Dani Diaz, G. Andrew Duthie, and David Isbitski as they tour the Mid Atlantic this Fall presenting an afternoon packed full of cutting edge tips and techniques for developers and architects.

With two longer sessions, we’ll dig deeper into data access in Silverlight™, and check out the most important features in Windows® 7 for Developers.

Free admission and a chance to score some surprise giveaways to boot.

AGENDA:

Data Access and Network Options in Silverlight

Wondering about the most effective way of getting data into your Silverlight application? Trying to sort out the different options available? Then this session is for you. We’ll open up with an overview of the different networking and data access techniques available in Silverlight. Then, we’ll dive into examples of using each of these technologies, and along the way we’ll also examine the role these technologies play in other .NET applications. Finally, we’ll show you the Sample Data feature in Expression Blend™ 3, and the best method for transitioning from Sample Data to production data in your applications.

200 Level | 1 hour 45 mins

What’s New in Windows 7 for Developers

Windows 7 has many improvements in both performance and user interface features that you should be taking advantage of when developing your applications. In this session we’ll cover an overview of coding those features users will expect such as Libraries, the new Taskbar, and Jump Lists. Next up is taking advantage of several performance improvements like Trigger Start services and the new Windows Troubleshooter. Finally, we’ll show you how to add several of the new interface options you won’t want to miss including Multi-Touch and the Ribbon Menu.

200 Level | 1 hour 45 mins

Be one of the LUCKY 7
Register for your chance to WIN. The first seven people to register for any of our MSDN Roadshows with the Referral Code of WIN7 will take home a copy of the MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-536): Microsoft .NET Framework --Application Development Foundation, Second Edition (ARV - $45 USD).* And, if you miss the first 7 windows of opportunity, don't worry - we'll have several more to raffle off at each event.

Pittsburgh, PA >>

November 12, 2009
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Harrisburg, PA >>

December 1, 2009
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Reston, VA >>

December 3, 2009
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Roanoke, VA >>

December 8, 2009
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Malvern, PA >>

December 10, 2009
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Reservations are required, and seating is limited. For more information or to register, visit: www.msdnevents.com
OR CALL 1-877-MSEVENT.

Technorati Tags: Announcements,Training,Developers,Windows 7,Silverlight 3,Data Access

The Great PHP on Windows Contest

johnmcc — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:34:39 GMT

Try your hand at PHP on Windows and win a complete 52" HDTV home entertainment system and the opportunity to present your creation to the crowd at php|tek 2010 in Chicago with an all-expenses paid trip!

Have you tried to run PHP on Windows? No? We thought so.

That's why we're hosting the Great PHP on Windows® Contest! The basics of the contest are simple:

Write a new application designed to run in PHP on Windows using IIS—or make a significant contribution to an existing open-source project along the same lines
The best application, selected jointly by a panel of experts and by our readers, will win a grand prize composed of a 52" Digital HD home entertainment system, as well as an all-expenses paid trip to php|tek 2010 in Chicago. Runner-up prizes include 2 Xbox 360 Ultimate and subscriptions to php|architect.
Not familiar with Windows? No worries—we have partnered with Applied Innovations to give you absolutely free hosting on a pre-configured virtual machine for the duration of the contest.
The contest is open to residents of the United States only—but you can still win by voting, no matter where you are.

Take action today create and submit an application AND/OR vote for your favorite submission. Complete details can be found at http://phparch.com/win

Technorati Tags: Contest,PHP,Windows,Windows Server,php|tek

Does Your Business Qualify for WebsiteSpark Benefits?

johnmcc — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:27:47 GMT

On Thursday, September 24^th Microsoft launched the WebsiteSpark Program. WebsiteSpark provides Web developers and designers with Microsoft software and solutions, as well as the training, support and market exposure they need to jump-start their web development and help their businesses succeed. The WebsiteSpark Program also helps drive new business opportunities by connecting Web professionals and hosters with an ecosystem of customers, partners and other professionals with complementary technologies.

Web development and design companies with up to 10 employees and owners can participate in the WebsiteSpark Program for three years with no up-front cost. There is only a $100 program offering fee, payable at exit, with no other costs or obligations. For complete details of the program visit the WebsiteSpark website.

Coupled with the WebsiteSpark announcement, we also announced the next release of the Web Platform Installer and Windows Web Application Gallery (2.0 RTM). If you haven't tried the Web Platform Installer, take it for a test drive yourself. Especially on a clean installation, see how easy it is to install and configure the Microsoft Web Platform from scratch. Also be sure to install some or all of the IIS Extensions including the IIS SEO Toolkit to see the full functionality of the platform. Install one or more of the applications from the Windows Web Application Gallery to get a feel for the experience and how it automatically pulls in the platform dependencies for the applications your choose.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,Announcements,Promotions,WebsiteSpark,Windows Server 2008,SQL Server 2008,Visual Studio 2008,Expression

Earn a Chance to win an Xbox 360 In Time for Christmas

johnmcc — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:18:53 GMT

We just completed our first Partner Challenge of the fiscal year earlier this week and gave away several very nice prizes. Congratulations to our 3 lucky winners!

John Pattison – Info et Cetera Consulting
Chunlei Wu - Fujitsu America
Nicole Cain – American Technology Services

Yesterday we posted the 2nd of 4 challenges planned for our current fiscal year. If you haven't taken the challenge yet, it is a great way for you to discover new online properties that will help you better navigate Microsoft's partner relationship while challenging you to learn more about several Microsoft technologies to hit the market soon. By correctly answering 3 questions, you'll qualify for a chance to win a great prize. We had outstanding participation last year and hope that you will take a minute to play today and throughout the year.

Take the challenge today at http://blogs.msdn.com/usdevpartners/pages/Microsoft-Partner-Challenge-FY10.aspx

Technorati Tags: Announcement,Promotion,Microsoft,Partner Challenge

Share Your Expertise as a Microsoft Ambassador

johnmcc — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:40:17 GMT

Microsoft’s U.S. Developer and Platform Evangelism organization recently launched the Microsoft Ambassador program (details below) to help our partner’s highlight their success in driving the early adoption of new and emerging application platform technology within their organization or their customer accounts. The ultimate goal of the program is to help partner “Ambassador’s” amplify their Microsoft success stories online and to connect them with opportunities to present at local, regional and national events.

The DNA of a successful Ambassador is a technology enthusiasts with a passion for public speaking, is active in the online and offline technology community, and is recognized within their organization as a thought leader and driver for early adoption of emerging technology. The Ambassador program is all about helping partners grow their business and individuals grow their careers.

If you are not a member of Microsoft’s exclusive MVP or Regional Director Program and are interested in becoming an Ambassador today, please send us an email per the instructions listed below.

Microsoft Ambassador Program

(This program is currently offered for U.S. partners only)

Do you want to show off the great innovations that you and your team have delivered? Then become a Microsoft Ambassador and tell your story on video, in person, and online.

The Microsoft Ambassador program highlights partner successes using our technologies. We want to showcase your unique products, increase your industry visibility, and recognize the hard work of your team. This will strengthen your company’s relationship with Microsoft, enhance your professional career, and can even improve your bottom line.

As a Microsoft Ambassador, you’ll gain greater access to product teams through live monthly calls. You’ll also be connected with the Developer and Platform Evangelism team who will help match you with opportunities to share your real-world expertise.

Videos are one the easiest and best ways to promote yourself and your company – in less than a year, our videos of partner stories have generated more than a quarter of a million views … in addition to generating positive buzz, these videos have produced tangible results for our partners, including follow-on case studies – even new customers. Shoot them yourself or we’ll shoot them with you. Depending on the subject matter and intended audience, we’ll help find the best home for your videos and screencasts, whether that’s Channel 9, msdev.com, or YouTube.

There are also opportunities to present in person. From local user groups to regional launch events – maybe even our Professional Developer Conference or Worldwide Partner Conference – depending on your area of expertise, we’ll help get you in front of the right audience.

And don’t forget blogging. Whenever you blog about your success with our technologies, let your evangelist know, so that we can read it, tweet it, share it with other Microsoft people, and maybe even blog about it. Let us help you build your readership.

We’re especially interested in your successes building on Windows 7 and Windows Azure.

So if you are proud of the work your team has done innovating on the Microsoft platform – and if you want to benefit from deeper Microsoft connections and greater industry exposure – then become a Microsoft Ambassador and share your expertise!

To join, send us an email and tell us why you’d like to be a Microsoft Ambassador. Be sure to include:

Name
Title/Role
Company you work for
Preferred email
Preferred phone number
Links to your blog, twitter, Facebook, Linked-In, podcast, video, user groups, etc. where you talk about your successes building on our platform and share your expertise
Which of the following technologies would you consider yourself to be more of a Subject Matter Expert?
- NET 4
- Azure
- Office14
- SharePoint
- Silverlight
- SQL Server 2008
- Windows 7
Please note whether you have worked with Windows 7 and Azure. We are especially interested in working with Ambassadors for these programs.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Ambassador,Ambassador,Cloud Computing,Azure,Silverlight,SQL Server 2008,.NET 4,Office 14,SharePoint,Windows 7

“Hello World!” Azure App In 37-Minutes

johnmcc — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:03:44 GMT

In mid-November, Microsoft will launch Windows Azure around the world. In preparation for the big event, Tony Bailey, Senior Marketing Manager, Breadth Solution Partners recently took on the challenge of building his first Windows Azure application. After getting his “hello world” single web page published, Bailey created the Publishing_webpage_to_Azure_basic document to help guide customers through the steps necessary in creating and publishing a “Hello World” page leveraging Windows Azure. Bailey states that “After getting my Azure Invitation code, my stopwatch record for completing the doc steps is 37 minutes.” Now let's see how good you really are: let's see how fast you can get your single "hello world" web page up on Azure - here's the how-to doc – if you like the doc pass it on.

Attendees at this year’s Microsoft Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles, November 17-19 will have plenty of opportunity to learn more about Windows Azure and the Azure Services Platform. For a current list of Azure sessions click here. And if you haven’t yet registered, register by October 13 and save $300.

For additional training content related to Windows Azure, visit MSDev, where Microsoft is offering training for solution providers.

Technorati Tags: Azure,Sample Code,Hello World,PDC,PDC09,Professional Developers Conference 2009,MSDev

Microsoft Dynamics ISV Architect Evangelism : Last Call for Microsoft BizSpark Incubation Week for Windows 7 @ Boston during week of 5th Oct 2009

johnmcc — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:11:31 GMT

If you are a BizSpark Start-up and your application is using new and unique features of Windows 7, then consider nominating your company and application for BizSpark Incubation Week in Boston on October 5th.

The Microsoft BizSpark Incubation Week for Windows 7 will be held at Microsoft Technology Center, Waltham, MA from Mon 10/05/2009 to Fri 10/09/2009. This event consists of ½ day of training, 3 ½ days of active prototype/development time, and a final day for packaging/finishing and reporting out to a panel of judges for various prizes.

This event is a no-fee event (plan your own travel expenses) and each team can bring 3 participants (1 business and 1-2 technical). For details on how to nominate your team or to learn more about Incubation Week see Sanjay Jain's blog posting. Nominations will be judged according to the strength of the founding team, originality and creativity of the idea, and ability to leverage new and unique Windows 7 features.

Technorati Tags: BizSpark,Windows 7

PDC 2009 Early Bird Discount Ends September 15th

johnmcc — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:25:35 GMT

If you’re a developer, architect or technology leader involved in making strategic technology decisions, this is the conference you need to attend to stay ahead of the curve and get a head start on planning your company’s product and technology investments.

If you register by September 15, you’ll receive $500 USD off the regular conference pass price.

ABOUT THE PDC

The Professional Developers Conference (PDC) is the definitive developer event focused on the technical strategy of the Microsoft developer platform. Attendees come from around the world to learn about the future of Microsoft developer technology directly from the people who make it happen. If you’re a developer, architect or technology leader involved in making strategic technology decisions for your company or organization, the PDC is for you.

Since 1991, the PDC has been the epicenter of Microsoft’s biggest platform announcements, including Microsoft .NET, Windows® XP, Windows Vista® and Windows 7®. This year, you’ll hear more details about our services platform, Windows®, the Web, devices, and our next generation of developer tools.

WHAT YOU’LL GET AT THE PDC

Microsoft’s vision and roadmap for the future of developer technology. PDC is where our biggest names make the biggest announcements. Keynoters Ray Ozzie and Bob Muglia will share their vision for developer technology at PDC09. More keynoters still to be announced!
Deep, technical content delivered by Microsoft’s technology leaders. At the PDC, you’ll have the unique opportunity to learn directly from the people who conceived and built the latest Microsoft developer platform technologies and tools. Much of what’s featured at the PDC has yet to be released, and as a result, session content comes in ‘hot’ and is published all the way up to the event date. Subscribe to the New Sessions RSS to stay on top of published sessions.

Hands-on access to the latest developer technologies and over 1,000 Microsoft product and technology experts available to answer your questions. The PDC isn’t just about keynotes and sessions – it’s an opportunity for you to get hands-on access to the latest technologies, have your questions answered by Microsoft program managers and developers and plan the features and architecture to support your product and business goals.

Unique networking opportunities with leading-edge developers and technology leaders just like you. You’ll be among your tribe at PDC09, and we’ve planned a number of special events and places for you to take advantage of the opportunity to connect with and learn from attendees that share your technology interests and business challenges.

New to the PDC? Learn more about the big announcements from last year and experience the PDC08 online via Channel 9.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Professional Developers Conference 2009,Professional Developers Conference 2009,PDC,PDC 2009

Innovation/Showcase on Windows 7

johnmcc — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:23:39 GMT

“Windows 7 is what a modern managed desktop should be. It helps us increase productivity, reduce costs, and provide enhanced desktop security”

- Doug Miller, Practice Architect, CDW

Join us at Microsoft’s Windows 7 Innovation Showcase where you can explore how Windows 7 delivers ‘the new efficiency” by growing your business through cost savings, productivity and innovation! Register today to see what Innovation can do for you!

Areas covered include:

· Address top seven business values of Windows 7 that enterprise customers care about

· Take advantage of the advancements in the Windows 7 user experience to make your application more compelling to users

and your users more productive in the tasks they care about

· Dive into the business scenarios and technical details of Multi-Touch and the Sensor and Location API on Windows 7

· Ease of Migrating to Windows 7

City/State	Date	Microsoft Location	Registration Link
Farmington, CT	October 15, 2009	Farmington Directions	Farmington Registration Link
Waltham, MA	October 20, 2009	Waltham Directions	Waltham Registration Link
Reston, VA	October 20, 2009	Reston Directions	Reston Registration Link
New York, NY	October 21, 2009	New York Directions	NY Registration Link
Rochester, NY	October 22, 2009	Rochester Directions	Rochester Registration Link
Alpharetta, GA	October 22, 2009	Alpharetta Directions	Alpharetta Registration Link
Ft Lauderdale, FL	October 26, 2009	Ft Lauderdale Directions	Ft Lauderdale Registration Link
Malvern, PA	October 29, 2009	Malvern Directions	Malvern Registration Link

Technorati Tags: Training,Windows 7,Innovation,Showcase

The 2009 Client and Services Platform - Live Webcast for Microsoft Dev Partners

johnmcc — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:17:06 GMT

Microsoft Partners face more challenges today than ever. With restrictions on IT budgets and a simultaneous demand for higher levels of service, there has never been a better time for partners to refocus on the fundamental value opportunities presented by Microsoft’s platform architecture and strategic roadmap. Please join us for the Live Meeting presentations listed below where we will be discussing how Partners can align themselves with our platform to add greater value today and prepare themselves for new business opportunities coming in the near future.

If you attended our ProDev Partner Briefing this past spring, this is a repeat session with updated content. I hope you can join us.

Platform 2009: The Client
Live Meeting Presentation
Tuesday, July 21^st, 12pm-1pm (ET)
Click HERE to Register or call 877-673-8368 and reference event ID: 1032420877

Abstract: Microsoft's client platform encompasses multiple technologies and user experience offerings. This session will cover WPF, Silverlight, IE 8, and Microsoft Office and will help partners identify current and future opportunities to leverage the power of the client.

David Isbitski: Ever since creating his first "Choose Your Own Adventure" video game using Commodore BASIC, Dave has been fascinated by the potential of computers and the worlds they can bring to us. Debuting in the Enterprise space with Visual Basic 5, he has worked with Microsoft Technologies his entire career at various Fortune 100/500 companies. He enjoys talking about technology and has taught full day courses on many Microsoft topics as well as presented at VSLive!, Re-Mix, XAMLFest, Code Camps and other events. His current passion is showing companies the importance of a good user experience and how to implement it within their Enterprise. Dave can be found on Twitter at @theDaveDev and frequently posts to his blog at http://CoolStuffWith.Net.

2009 Services Platform: Azure, Live Mesh and Live Services
Live Meeting Presentation
Thursday, July 23^rd, 12pm-1pm (ET)
Click HERE to Register or call 877-673-8368 and reference event ID: 1032420878

Abstract: Gain a high level overview of Windows Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing services. Topics covered include basic platform features and functionality, overall benefits, and the common scenarios for using Windows Azure. We will also discuss how the Azure Services Platform applies to the partner business by creating new services-based opportunities across the Microsoft partner and customer ecosystem.

Mike Werner: Mike Werner is a Senior Platform Strategy Advisor focused on Microsoft's Cloud Services Platform. In this role he is responsible for driving business and technology development with customers, partners and the developer ecosystem for the Windows Azure and Azure Services technologies. Mike recently rejoined Microsoft after spending two years assisting startups, investors and platform companies in developing cloud-based business and technology strategies including one year as Executive-in-Residence at Flagship Ventures in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Mike joined Microsoft in 1990 and has spent his career creating some of the industry's most successful developer and partner programs, including founding the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) which has become the technology industry's standard for supporting the developer ecosystem. Mike is also known as the 'father of developer community' at Microsoft, having built successful worldwide programs such as the Most Valuable Professional (MVP), Regional Director (RD), and Mindshare User Group programs as well as having built communications vehicles such as Developer Days, DevMania, Developer Publishing Program and Microsoft's first ever Global Partner Conference. Mike also founded the Microsoft Technology Centers in Waltham and Silicon Valley, launched the Developer and Platform Evangelism (DPE) team in the US Field, and spent three years as Director of Emerging Business and Venture Capital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Technorati Tags: Azure,Azure Services Platform,Cloud Computing,Live Services,Silverlight,IE8,WPF,RIA,Office

Moving to Windows 7 RC1 – Upgrade or Clean Install?

johnmcc — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:45:23 GMT

As the very positive reviews for Windows 7 keep rolling in I’m finding more people wanting to test the waters by moving to Windows RC1 today. The very first question I get is should I upgrade or should I do a clean install. Here the official word form the the Windows 7 web site:

Windows XP (or any other operating system)

We recommend that you experience Windows 7 on a new PC. Here are some featured PCs that can run Windows 7.

While we don't recommend it, you can opt to upgrade your current PC from Windows XP or another operating system to Windows 7. We recommend that you get help with this process from your local computer service provider. You'll need to back up your current files and settings, perform a custom (clean) installation, and then reinstall your files, settings, and programs.

With any version of Windows, including Beta or Release Candidate (RC) versions, I almost always follow a regiment of doing a full back up and then a clean install (wipe the disk). Though a well managed system should not experience problems during an RC upgrade, the meaning of “well managed” varies from one user to the next. For example, I consider my system to be well managed by exercising a few simple maintenance rules:

Install a good anti-virus program and keep the signature file up-to-date (i.e. enable auto-update of the signature file)
Schedule and run Windows Update (automatically) in the background
Avoid installing programs from un-trusted sites

Because of the role I play at Microsoft, I often run and test Beta/RC versions of Microsoft and non-Microsoft software on my system. Consequently, they may have residual effects on my system that are not completely eradicated during an upgrade. So for me, I always elect to do a clean install; it just feels better this way since it wipes away any issues I may have introduced under the old system. I suspect many others feel the same as I do.

Also, note that anytime you work with Beta/RC software, you assume some risk since the software is not yet ready for prime time. A RC product is close to being finished, a Beta version is not. That is why it is imperative that you back-up your files and settings before performing an upgrade or clean install of the this type of software. Remember, backing up your files is THE most important step. You can easily rebuild a system, but seldom can you ever recover lost files. So be sure you have a reliable back-up plan, one in which you have a high level of confidence in.

Lately, I’ve been using Microsoft Windows Easy Transfer (WET) to backup and restore my files and settings when moving from XP/Vista to Windows 7 and it has worked exceptionally well for me. If you choose to use WET, take and perform a couple of trial back-up runs to get yourself acquainted with the tool. For step-by-step instructions visit http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd446674(WS.10).aspx.

Now the downside of a clean install of Beta/RC software is that you may run into a hardware compatibility issue that requires a driver update (e.g. graphics, video, printer, etc). Many Windows compliant drivers will install as part of the clean install of Windows 7. Other driver updates will install when running Windows Update. But, you may still find yourself with a hardware component that fails to install correctly after a clean install of the new operating system. This may be due to one of the following factors:

The hardware is no longer supported by the vendor under the new operating system and therefore a new driver will not be provided
The vendor has not yet developed a Windows compliant driver for the new system, therefore a new driver is not installed

Now Windows has gone a long way to insure compatibility, but if you do find yourself with hardware problems after a clean install, you have a couple of options:

Visit your hardware manufacturer’s website to locate, download and install the latest version of the driver, preferable a Windows 7 compliant driver
Upgrade your hardware

Truth of the matter is an upgrade (vs. clean install) could still lead to the same outcome, i.e. hardware that doesn’t work well. However, with an upgrade, the old drivers may still be present on the system making easier for you to reinstall and test the old hardware drivers under the new operating system.

Here’s my 10-step approach to a clean install of Windows 7:

Verify that your PC can run Windows 7 - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/upgrade
Back-up your current files and settings.
Make a note of any programs you wish to reinstall after installing Windows 7
Perform a custom (clean install) of Windows 7
Install your antivirus software and update the signature file
Run Windows Update to verify that all available updates have been installed on your machine
Restore your files and settings
Restore your programs noted above in step 3.
Verify that your hardware installed successfully.
Explore the features of Windows 7 - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/what-is?os=other

In closing, I came across this posting today that you may find of interest.

Experts Find Windows 7 to Be a Smooth PC Upgrade

http://www.ny1.com/content/ny1_living/technology/101543/experts-find-windows-7-to-be-a-smooth-pc-upgrade/Default.aspx?ap=1&Flash

IMO, the word upgrade is used literally here, i.e. to exchange something for another of better quality. Not in the context of an install option as discussed above. But the good reviews do keep coming in :>

Technorati Tags: Product Information,Windows 7,Vista,XP,Upgrade,Clean Install

Cloud Camp DC Commercial and the Azure Lightning Talk

johnmcc — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:42:14 GMT

Last week Microsoft had the opportunity to attend and participate in Cloud Camp DC Commercial in Reston, VA. This was a great opportunity to hear and learn from others in the community about their level of interest and early efforts to embrace cloud computing. Positioned as a platform agnostic gathering for cloud enthusiast, the event attracted more than 90 people from a variety of technology professions.

You may be wondering what exactly is a Cloud Camp? To answer this question, I pulled the following directly from the Cloud Camp website at http://www.cloudcamp.com.

It’s free and it’s an unconference where early adopter and industry leaders of Cloud Computing technologies exchange ideas. With the rapid change occurring in the industry we need a place where we can meet to share our experiences, challenges and solutions. At Cloud Camp, you are encouraged you to share your thoughts in several open discussions as we strive for the advancement of Cloud Computing. End users, IT professionals and vendors are all encouraged to participate.

So what is an unconference? Wikipedia states that an unconference is “a facilitated, participant-driven conference centered around a theme or purpose.” Based on our most recent experience, we have to agree.

The DC event was made possible by the organizing committee at Information Concepts and its 6 sponsors. Dave Nielsen, a Cloud Camp co-founder, facilitated the DC event, his 29th on record. The event started at 3:30pm and wrapped up a little over 5 hours later. Much to my surprise, most attendees, despite having worked all-day, stayed for the entire event. Awesome!

We found the unconference format to be quite interesting and productive. The agenda is comprised of 4 main activities

Lightning Talks – each event sponsor delivers a 5 minute presentation on their cloud computing initiatives
Panel Discussion – the facilitator solicits 6-8 questions from the audience and then recruits a panel of volunteers to share their answers/opinions
Breakouts – the facilitator identifies 4 or more breakouts topics during the panel discussion. A breakout topic usually manifests itself by the level of interest in the topic or subject currently under discussion. A breakout session lasts 45-60 minutes.
Networking Social – Attendees meet 1:1 with their peers and event sponsors to explore areas of additional interest and opportunity in cloud computing

As an event sponsor, Microsoft was afforded the opportunity to participate in the Lightning Talk. Scott Zimmerman, a Solutions Architect in the Mid-Atlantic States District, delivered an excellent summary presentation on our Azure platform initiative. Take 5-minutes now to listen to Scott presentation:

Video: The Azure Lightning Round

Customers need your help understanding Microsoft’s strategic direction in cloud computing. This video and the accompanying slides should be of tremendous help in this regard. If you are a member of a Microsoft Partner organization, including anyone on the sales, marketing or consulting teams, your ability to deliver a lightning round perspective on Microsoft’s Azure platform will help you build credibility among your customer base.

The video is also posted here on Channel 9 and the slides are posted here.

Technorati Tags: Cloud,Cloud Camp,Cloud Camp DC Commercial,Cloud Computing,Windows Azure,Azure,BPOS

Windows 7: Be first. Save half.

johnmcc — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:06:43 GMT

Pre-order Windows 7 beginning at 9pm PST tonight, at Microsoft Store. You'll get it for at least half off and be one of the first to get it. Hurry, quantities are limited.*

It's pretty simple

Windows 7 is coming on October 22, 2009. Here's an easy way to get it fast and save a bundle: Pre-order a Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade for $49 or a Windows 7 Professional Upgrade for $99 at Microsoft Store. That's about half off the estimated retail prices.

Want more info?

Go to the Windows team blog and find out all the details.

* The offer begins on June 26, 2009 and will continue while supplies last, or until July 11, 2009, whichever comes first.

Technorati Tags: Announcement,Promotion,Windows 7 Home Premium,Windows 7 Professional