Chicago Windows Azure Kick Start on May 3rd

I’ve been in Redmond all week hanging out with some awesome folks on the Microsoft campus. This evening, I will be heading back to Chicago to host a Windows Azure Kick Start. If you are new to the Cloud and Windows Azure, or would just like some time to get hands-on and create an app in Windows Azure, tomorrow’s Windows Azure Kick Start is for you. There are only 4 seats left and if you’d like to attend, you should register soon.

Register for the Windows Azure Kick Start

Tomorrow, May 3rd, you will get to spend the day with some of the nation’s leading cloud experts in learning how to build a web application that runs in Windows Azure. We will show you how to sign up for free time in the cloud, and how to build a typical web application using the same ASP.NET tools and techniques you already use today. We will explore web roles, cloud storage, SQL Azure, and common scenarios. We will save time for open Q&A, and even cover what should not be moved to cloud. This will be a hands-on event where you will need a laptop configured with the required pieces. We will have help onsite to get the right bits installed as well.

Lunch and prizes will be provided and you could get lucky and win a Kinect!

Microsoft – Chicago Office
200 E Randolph St
Chicago, Illinois 60601
9:00AM – 5:00PM

To make the best use of your time at the Windows Azure Kick Start Event, we recommend you prepare the following requirements before the event:

  • A computer or laptop: Operating Systems Supported: Windows 7 (Ultimate, Professional, and Enterprise Editions); Windows Server 2008; Windows Server 2008 R2; Windows Vista (Ultimate, Business, and Enterprise Editions) with either Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2
  • Install the free Windows Azure SDK and required software using Web Platform Installer.
  • Setup a Free Windows Azure Platform Trial. If you have MSDN you should activate your MSDN Azure Benefits.
  • The sample code and handbook for the labs will be provided at the event.
  • Consider bringing a power strip or extension cord to stay charged all day.

Register for the Windows Azure Kick Start

Windows Azure for Developers at LCNUG on Thursday

LCNUGThis Thursday, I’m presenting Windows Azure for Developers at the Lake County .NET Users Group (LCNUG) in Grayslake, Illinois. It’s nice to be presenting in my own backyard at the College of Lake County with developers from my local community. During our time together Thursday, January 12, I will walk through what Cloud Computing is all about and why we should care as developers. I will guide us through a journey of Platform as a Service (PaaS), Windows Azure and the common scenarios we encounter that are a great fit for Windows Azure and the Cloud. Together we will explore how to get started developing apps powered by Windows Azure, how to deploy to Windows Azure and Windows Azure specific classes and configuration that you should know.

For more information, check out http://lcnug.org/News/11-12-23/LCNUG_Jan_12_Windows_Azure_for_Developers.aspx.

To register, go to http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2684538527.

If there’s something specific you’d like to see or have questions about, shoot me a message and I’ll try to incorporate it and answer your questions.

Windows Phone Development Training in Chicago

There are lots of great opportunities in Chicago to help you be a successful Windows Phone developer. If you are looking for a day of training, help with completing your apps or even a community to work alongside you as you journey down the path of Windows Phone master, Chicago has it. The following list of training opportunities are taking place between now and the end of the year and will help you be successful as a Windows Phone developer.

Windows Phone Camp – November, 18th
http://aka.ms/wpchicago
This is a free, full day event chock-full of everything you need to know to develop a Windows Phone application. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just getting started with .NET development, this full-day event is for you. If you’re interested in making $$$, there will also be discussion on how to monetize your applications and profit from your apps.

The day will be capped with a hands-on session where prizes will be awarded for completed apps. This is the perfect opportunity to begin work on your dream application, or finish that app you’ve already started with Windows Phone experts to help and guide you. Bring your own laptop to join in the fun and show off your killer app!

There will also be a Windows Phone giveaway and many other cool prizes.

Windows Phone Camp Hands On Accelerator Lab – December 6th – 8th
https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032497581
It’s time to turn your napkin sketches into real, sellable apps for Windows Phone in less than a week! In this 3-day developer retreat, there will be experts on hand to help you build, test, pitch and deploy your app into the Windows Phone Marketplace. You will have hands on technical assistance, Marketplace subscriptions, and developer phones for testing.

It’s a great chance to get step-by-step advice from Microsoft and community experts and all you have to do is bring your existing app or app idea that you are ready to build.

Seating is limited and registration is not guaranteed. Get your spot today!

Chicago Windows Phone Developer Group – 1st Thursday of the Month
http://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Windows-Phone-Developers/
This group consists of professionals and students, residing in the Chicago area, who develop or plan to develop apps for Windows Phone devices and Windows Phone Marketplace. The group provides knowledge sharing, an exchange of ideas, and professional networking at monthly meetings. All things Windows Phone are discussed including Silverlight, XNA, .NET Framework, Cloud services, UI design and more.

Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) Launch Party in Chicago

Today, Windows Phone went big in New York City at the Windows Phone “launch party”. In Herald’s Square, Microsoft created a massive 6-story Windows Phone that transformed into a stage for performers like Far East Movement. New Windows Phones were also made available today for as little as $49.99 from Samsung and HTC on both AT&T and T-Mobile.

If you are in Chicago and feel like you missed out, this Friday and Saturday, 11/11 and 11/12, Microsoft is hosting one of the five national Windows Phone launch parties at MCA Warehouse in Chicago. It’s completely free with food and cocktails from top local chefs, The Drums will be performing, and you also can get your hands on the new Windows Phone. I will be there Friday night, so find me and say hello.

Register soon because space is limited and you will not want to miss this party.
https://apps.facebook.com/windowsphonersvp/contests/160121

Windows Phone Launch Party on 11/11 and 11/12 (7PM)
MCA Warehouse
1747 W. Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL 60686

If you are in Dallas, Los Angeles or San Fransciso, Windows Phone launch parties are also coming to your cities.
Dallas on 11/16, 11/17 (7PM) with Young The Giant
Los Angeles on 11/30, 12/1 (7PM) with MuteMath
San Francisco on 12/6, 12/7 (7PM) with Best Coast

CloudCamp Chicago is Tomorrow Night

CloudCamp ChicagoTomorrow night, November 1st, is CloudCamp Chicago! If you’ve never been to a CloudCamp, it is a great event in an unconference format where early adopters of Cloud Computing technologies exchange ideas and share experiences, challenges and solutions. You can expect lightning talks, unpanels and several open discussions with people interested in cloud computing, professionals using the cloud, cloud computing experts and cloud vendors.

Our customers at Centare, have been asking for lots of HTML5 recently, and tomorrow night I’m going to give a lightning talk titled “HTML5 + Cloud: Reach Everyone, Everywhere”. CloudCamp Chicago will be held at Gibson’s Steakhouse in Rosemont, IL and if you haven’t registered, you can register at http://cloudcamp.org/chicago/2011-11-01.