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TechEd Day Zero (Degrees)
Aug. 4th, 2004 02:36 pmTechEd, Microsoft's premier geekfest began yesterday.
OK. Who was the smart guy who picked Canberra in the very middle of winter?
I mean, really!
It was cold, windy, rainy, overcast and just a hint of snow yesterday, and as I poke my head out in the cold light of a Canberra dawn, today doesn't look like much of an improvement.
I have got to say that the Visual Studio beanies go a long way towards being:
A) A necessity, and
B) The coolest item of outerware Microsoft has come up with for a long time.
I mean "coolest" in every sense of the word, of course.
Having said that, the atmosphere inside the National Convention Centre can best be described as "warm", if not "sizzling". The number of folks attending for a day with not much happening was just amazing. Body temperature and sheer enthusiasm added to the centre's own heating, and it was very pleasant indeed. In fact I wondered how Frank the MSDN headman managed to not only keep his beanie on, but stopped his many delightful young lady assistants from peeling theirs off. Perhaps they all stripped down in the MSDN Connections Lounge after I left.
First Day smiles were radiating from every exhibitor's booth, adding to the sense of warmth and friendliness, and I came within a whisker of signing up for some of their show specials. Have to admit, there were some awesome products being offered.
I circulated amongst the exhibitors, collected my five stamps for a free beanie, approached one of Frank's lovely assistants, and collected a beanie and a radiant smile. My heart melted as I admired both. Sign me up, Microsoft, I'm yours!
(As an aside, I chose a red beanie, and there were some radiant smiles and comments of "Oooh, look, it's Santa Claus!" when I wore it home. Hmmm, must go on a diet.)
The MSDN Connection Lounge was filling up when I poked my nose in. Some of those lounging in one corner seemed to be pretty full already, but the freebie drinks and chocolates kept coming. The big excitement was the appearance of a real live "swiper" for Connections cards, and I got a suitable thrill when the screen blinked and recognised me. I guess I'm one of the first to see the system in operation, but I dare say there will be plenty more in the days to come. And the months and years as User Groups collect their own "swipers".
The lounge was full of comfy chairs, goodies and in one corner an XBox was going full blast, with a range of games. I got suckered into playing some racing game around the streets of Sydney, and in hindsight, selecting a Volvo SUV was probably not the brightest move of my racing career, not when everyone else chose a Ferrari or a Porsche. Great fun, but!
As a nod to my secret life as a Bookcrosser, I released a book on one of the tables.
I snarfed up a handful of finger food when the trays were circulated, circulated once again and then made my way back to my car, somewhat surprised that it wasn't covered by drifts of snow.
OK. Who was the smart guy who picked Canberra in the very middle of winter?
I mean, really!
It was cold, windy, rainy, overcast and just a hint of snow yesterday, and as I poke my head out in the cold light of a Canberra dawn, today doesn't look like much of an improvement.
I have got to say that the Visual Studio beanies go a long way towards being:
A) A necessity, and
B) The coolest item of outerware Microsoft has come up with for a long time.
I mean "coolest" in every sense of the word, of course.
Having said that, the atmosphere inside the National Convention Centre can best be described as "warm", if not "sizzling". The number of folks attending for a day with not much happening was just amazing. Body temperature and sheer enthusiasm added to the centre's own heating, and it was very pleasant indeed. In fact I wondered how Frank the MSDN headman managed to not only keep his beanie on, but stopped his many delightful young lady assistants from peeling theirs off. Perhaps they all stripped down in the MSDN Connections Lounge after I left.
First Day smiles were radiating from every exhibitor's booth, adding to the sense of warmth and friendliness, and I came within a whisker of signing up for some of their show specials. Have to admit, there were some awesome products being offered.
I circulated amongst the exhibitors, collected my five stamps for a free beanie, approached one of Frank's lovely assistants, and collected a beanie and a radiant smile. My heart melted as I admired both. Sign me up, Microsoft, I'm yours!
(As an aside, I chose a red beanie, and there were some radiant smiles and comments of "Oooh, look, it's Santa Claus!" when I wore it home. Hmmm, must go on a diet.)
The MSDN Connection Lounge was filling up when I poked my nose in. Some of those lounging in one corner seemed to be pretty full already, but the freebie drinks and chocolates kept coming. The big excitement was the appearance of a real live "swiper" for Connections cards, and I got a suitable thrill when the screen blinked and recognised me. I guess I'm one of the first to see the system in operation, but I dare say there will be plenty more in the days to come. And the months and years as User Groups collect their own "swipers".
The lounge was full of comfy chairs, goodies and in one corner an XBox was going full blast, with a range of games. I got suckered into playing some racing game around the streets of Sydney, and in hindsight, selecting a Volvo SUV was probably not the brightest move of my racing career, not when everyone else chose a Ferrari or a Porsche. Great fun, but!
As a nod to my secret life as a Bookcrosser, I released a book on one of the tables.
I snarfed up a handful of finger food when the trays were circulated, circulated once again and then made my way back to my car, somewhat surprised that it wasn't covered by drifts of snow.
