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804 days ago
So last night I presented at the SQL Server user group. The presentation was on the new generation of Microsoft Certification's. I'll be presenting it (in more detail) to the .NET developer UG and the Window's UG in the coming months. Anyway, that's not really what I'm blogging about. While I was there I saw someone I hadn't seen since Tech-Ed. Yes Shaun, I'm talking about you!!! Well the last time I saw Shaun I was on his apartment balcony with others discussing (and taste testing) the advantages of home brewed schnapps...YUM. This was AFTER the Influence party, discussed in a previous blog. Well, being 'under the weather' as you might call it at the time, I had forgotten about an 'event' that occurred while we were on that balcony. Shaun KINDLY reminded me about it last night. As luck would have it, for us that is, not the bloke in this story, a police car pulls up an old red car right in front of the hotel. We're all looking over Shaun's balcony and the URGE hit me. Now I grew up ...
828 days ago
During Tech-Ed, Greg Low conducted a presentation on running User Groups. Well our local Canberra Windows User Group leader Dave Mackie, already thinking of walking, decided after viewing the presentation that it was time to walk. Dave has been running the group for quite some time and unfortunately without much support. He does many of the presentations himself each month (which takes up more than enough time in learning), he sends out invitations, manages attendees, organises the food, arranges topics, updates UG site, etc. It's a LOT of work for one person. So after hearing Dave's cry for help I put my hand up to help. The outcome is posted here on Dave's site. So I'll be more involved in getting the meetings going. We have already organised presenters until December (and no Dave isn't one of them) and have decided to also run meetings at lunch in the City(just like the dev user group). Topics/Presenters and location are below. So far we've received quite ...
828 days ago
Well Tech-Ed is over for another year. I helped out on the Microsoft Learning booth and our staff helped out in the Hands On Labs as usual. It was our 5th Tech-Ed so we are now well rehearsed as to how it works and what's required. For me this means lots of networking. Once again the Gold Coast put on spectacular weather for us. After spending a day defrosting it was time to start 'work'. I use the term loosely because I really enjoy helping out on the booths. It's a great way to meet people and also gives me a change from the everyday. I must say that Magdalena Toth (the Microsoft Learning Partner Manager) did a great job this year with the stand. It was great to work in a collaborative team environment with other CPLS partners towards a common goal. Not only did the CPLS partners work well together but I think the delegates got more out of it too. The stand was sometimes 3-4 people deep, it was great to see. So 'on ya' Magdalena. It was really great. Another thing worth a ...
857 days ago
Well it has been a while but yes I'm still alive. I'm excited about the events coming up. Tech-Ed is always a great opportunity to catch up with people I haven't seen for a while. And being sold out I'm assuming it's going to be bigger and better than ever. ANZ Partner conference is also nearing. Hamilton Island again. Wow. Can't wait. I don't think it offers a lot of value to a business. It's about Microsoft telling you how important you are to them, and without you they wouldn't be as successful. Hmmm should leave that one there!! They are both great events to catch up with Microsoft staff, other partners and also meet new people. Each event I rekon i meet somone that becomes a good friend. So I'm excitied to see who it may be this year. For all you who are coming I look forward to having a drink or two.
1163 days ago
Developers are Us - Podcast Nick Randolph has taken over as host of The Developer Show. Adam Cogan and I were asked to take part in a podcast on user groups. You can listen to it here. Happy to provide further feedback on starting, maintaining, hosting etc user groups. Just ask
