http://www.microsoft.com/teched
Last year, Port80 Software went all out for TechEd 2004 in San Diego, working at the Microsoft IIS booth, data sheets, giveways, parties, a rather large bus (picture to come in a later post), the whole shebang. This year, we are taking it a bit more low key, mostly teaching folks about compression in ILTs (labs) and Cabana chalk talks (organized tech meet and greets with a focus).
It seems a bit quiet this year, or maybe the temperature down here in Florida is just getting to everybody -- I like to call the Tenth Ring of Perspiration Hell. But, the show must go on…
Every year, TechEd gets a bit more informal to my eye -- one of the most popular items this year are late night "cram sessions", not your boring old labs -- and I think this is a good trend. The more down-to-earth and accessible Microsoft makes the consumption of all their different systems, caveats and undocumented features, the better.
If you are still in town and want to get a free ZipEnable license and talk turkey on Web acceleration, Chris Neppes from Port80 (ahem, me) will be doing a Cabana session on Friday, June 10. Here are the directions:
WEBC08 (Cabana Talk)
Compression ILT Breakout Session Drill-down
Breakout 07
6/10/2005
9:00AM-10:15AM
If you have never been to TechEd and you are a Microsoft shop, it may be worth sending someone next year. The mix of clients and potential partners is excellent, and the educational opportunity is there for everyone not skipping class for Disney World (not me, of course, but those other freeloaders out there with plush expense accounts – you know, the smart guys).
I had this great discussion with a developer from another San Diego company, of all places, last night. We were jousting over marketing people versus technologists, and he was telling me how to break into Exchange for anti-virus testing purposes (he’s a white hat – you got to know ‘em to beat ‘em). Star Wars of course came up, and the conversation digressed from there. My point is-- he was from Port80’s backyard, but I never would have met him if I did not get out of San Diego (and the office and the go-go-go work mindset) to meet new people and learn.
That’s what a good show is about, and TechEd has delivered again.
Cheers,
Chris @ Port80