Announcements

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Windows Home Server – Filling the Gap for Services in the Home

Not every service in "software + services" will run in an Internet datacenter. The Windows Home Server team believes that some services should "stay at home." Want an example? How about a service that controls the energy usage in your home-- turning off the lights when no one’s around or adjusting the thermostat during peak demand hours? You probably don’t want to run that service on the Internet! But you do want it connected to the Internet - so it’s programmable remotely when you’re away and always up-to-date on energy prices. [more...]
8/27/2008

David Chappell and Jon Flanders: Perspectives on “Oslo” and how to prepare for the road ahead

Explore "Oslo" (the family of new technologies that enable data-driven development and execution of services and applications) at PDC during several in-depth sessions. Get insights prior to PDC from two interviews by Ron Jacobs with David Chappell and Jon Flanders. If you’re wondering about “Oslo” tools, language and repository and want to build your apps today to . [more...]
8/25/2008

Buzz on the Blogosphere: Submit a Session, What are the Tracks and more....

Mike Swanson highlights the top 3 questions he gets as the PDC Content Owner. Spoiler alert. They are: How do I submit a session, how do I become a speaker and what are this year's tracks? And he gives the answers. The most popular MS Blog these days is the Engineering Windows 7 blog written by Jon DeVaan [more...]
8/25/2008

Pick Your Sessions, Build Your Agenda and Win a Trip

Countdown to PDC2008: In this week’s edition of the PDC Countdown (only 65 days to go), Mike and Jennifer host the event marketing manager of the conference who talks about all of the great opportunities to win, win, win! Trips to LA, tickets to the Dodgers or Lakers, a movie premiere, or a trip down the red carpet at the Emmy’s could be yours. [more...]
8/22/2008

Chris and Don join keynote lineup

Chris Anderson and Don Box will be delivering one of the keynotes at this year’s PDC. For the third consecutive PDC, Chris and Don will defy the odds and perform feats of live coding against “fresh” platform technology in front of thousands of attendees. This year Don and Chris are taking an entire keynote to view a pantheon of new technologies through the lens of a text editor. [more...]
8/19/2008

UnSessions

But wait… there’s more! PDC2008 features technical learning opps galore, with Hands-on Labs, Amazing Scenarios (keep reading), and more. Check back soon for details on the many opportunities to gain new knowledge and experience at the PDC—outside of the breakout sessions.

Amazing Scenarios

See real customer examples of the astonishing power of software, showcased in the PDC Expo area. We guarantee you’ll be inspired and stunned by these tactile demonstrations and thought-provoking exhibits.

Ask-the-Experts

Spend an evening with Microsoft experts representing all major technologies and areas of the Microsoft platform. Visit with them one-on-one to get help with a challenging aspect of your current project, or offer feedback and suggestions for the next generation of the Microsoft platform. More than 200 tables will feature speakers and staff knowledgeable in all areas of PDC session content, as well as Microsoft Developer Centers and Community resources. Ask-the-Experts will also offer tables staffed with Microsoft experts from different countries, so you can connect with experts from your region—who may also be able to help with translation.

Hands-on Labs

Take time to drill down on the latest platform technologies at your own pace in the hands-on labs area at PDC. The labs area is staffed with program managers and developers from the product teams that have designed and developed these technologies. Get your questions answered and provide feedback on the programming models, usability, and scenarios.

Microsoft Product Pavilion

Learn about existing Microsoft products or technologies, as well as new ones scheduled to be released in the coming year. The Product Demo Stations, located throughout the Big Room, are hosted by Microsoft product team members who know their products inside and out. Come discuss strategies for architecting, deploying, managing, and securing a connected IT infrastructure in your own business environment or your client's.

Open Space

Open Space is a way to bring together groups of people interested in a common topic to have an interactive discussion. In an Open Space session, there may be an expert who is passionate about a topic presenting to an audience or there may be a small group of people discussing an idea.

Four principles of Open Space:

  1. Whoever comes are the right people to be there
  2. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened
  3. Whenever it starts is the right time
  4. When it's over, it's over

All you need to do is suggest topics onsite that you wish to discuss and participate in sessions that sound interesting to you. It’s the unconference with content by attendees, for attendees.

PDC Lounges

After absorbing all of that new knowledge in the PDC technical sessions, you’ll need a place to relax and talk with other inspired people—and the PDC Lounges are just the ticket. Conveniently located in the Big Room, next to the Hands-on Labs, Sponsor and Exhibitor areas, and the Microsoft Pavilion, you’ll be at the center of all the action.

Women in Technology Networking Event

Come to the PDC2008 Women in Technology (WIT) networking event and meet and share stories with the powerful, insightful, and intelligent women you’ll meet during the week. Join in the discussion about challenges that women face today—including how to break through the corporate "glass ceiling"—as well as the tools, initiatives, and organizations that support women who work in the IT industry. Come enjoy drinks and snacks while celebrating and learning from each other’s experiences and successes… Must be registered attendee of the conference to attend.

We’ve got so much more planned… check back for updates!