While this may not be one of the deepest posts you've ever seen, it could be one of the most useful.  My team consists of some of the smartest most Microsoft tech savvy people you could ever meet AND they want to meet with you!  They have blogs, they tweet and they hold office hours that you can schedule with them.  If you're in the western USA they probably are in an office close to you OR visit your city at least a couple times a year.  If you ever have any questions about the Microsoft platform for developers or infrastructure, reach out to your local evangelist and they will point you in the right direction.

Find them here: http://aka.ms/wrteam 

-Scottker

Microsoft Virtual Labs for both Developers and IT Pros have been around for a very long time, they are a hidden gem to ramping up on new technologies.   With Windows 8, Windows Phone, Azure, Windows Server 2012 and all of the other new technologies hitting the market this year, who has the time to setup, configure and test it all.  That’s where virtual labs come in, you log in, follow the instructions and learn the new technology.  No fuss, no muss, just get in there and explore.  To find the virtual labs specifically designed for developers you go here:

http://aka.ms/dovlabs

We can’t leave the infrastructure behind and the virtual labs team definitely hasn’t.  With labs targeted at Windows Server, System Center, Exchange Server, SQL Server, Forefront Security, Microsoft Lync server and others, there are lots of vlabs available to learn the infrastructure side of the technology.  You can find the IT vlabs here:

http://aka.ms/dovlabsit

In addition to the vlabs, for Windows 8 and Windows Phone specifically we have setup a site that helps you walk through getting up to speed with development that should fit your already busy schedule.  Once you get setup on the Genapps site, you get a roadmap for learning that will get you up to speed in 30 days, access to help and overall some great learning content.

http://aka.ms/dogenapp

Finally, If you have made the jump to WIndows8 and want to see some sample code, here are some of the samples that have been built for WIndows 8:  http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsapps

If something is missing or you would like to see some additional content (documentation, samples, videos, etc…) please just leave me a comment.

-Scott

Take a look at this great little document on migrating your web-site to Windows8 Metro style.  The document shows a cool side by side of a web site and what it should look like and how it would work with Windows Metro Style.

Design case study: Website to Metro style app
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/library/windows/apps/hh868264 

Let me know what you think of this document and when you'll be ready to develop your own Metro Style app.

-Scott

There is a lot of buzz around the Windows 8 Consumer Preview and the new Metro style application environment.  The other aspect of the next release of Windows is the server component that also has new capabilities.  There are a host of new  IIS enhancements that make it easier to manage your web applications.  Also, Hyper-V now has an extensible switch that is ripe for developers who want to create add-ons.  If you haven’ t had a chance to explore the next release of Windows Server, please take a moment to download and install the FREE Windows Server 2012 Beta now.  If you would prefer to have a preinstalled VHD, you can also download that from the download site.  My team mate, Harold Wong recently wrote a blog post with steps needed to take that VHD and configure your system to boot from it without having to install or repartition your hard drive giving you a no touch way to check it out.

Check out PC Magazines article on 10 Killer new features of Windows Server 8. 

Most developers are probably aware of Windows Azure and the benefits offered by a Platform as a Service public cloud offering.  As environments mature, more and more organizations are exploring hybrid cloud solutions.  There are definite benefits that a private cloud offers that may not be available in a public cloud offering.  Would you like to use a self-service portal to request a fully configured development environment that can be deployed quickly without any intervention from you?  Would you like to have insight into how your application is running during QA with direct integration with Visual Studio?  This is absolutely possible with System Center 2012!  I would encourage you to work with your IT folks to explore the Microsoft Private Cloud offering and how it can also be used to seamlessly manage an Azure environment using App Controller in addition to the afore mentioned items.  Download the evaluation bits for System Center 2012 today.

-Scott

One of my colleagues Jeremy Foster created a blog post with some GREAT resources like Metro Tiles, Visual Studio Add-In, and Art Tools.  Check it out if you are trying to ramp up on Windows 8 Development.

http://www.codefoster.com/post/2012/05/17/App-Accelerator-Resources.aspx

-Scott

During the end of May and June in 2012, Michael Palermo and Alice Pang will be hosting Windows 8 developer events at the Microsoft Stores in SoCal and Phoenix for an exciting evening of development with Windows 8.  What better way to wind down from work than learning about developing on Windows 8?

Check them out here: http://bit.ly/win8msstore

Scott

Windows reimagined.

Learn everything you need to start building Metro-style apps for Windows at our VIP free full-day Windows Developer Event.

Learn about the Windows Store and what you need to do to be considered for early access to the store long before it opens to regular developers!  Also learn how to use Visual Studio to code fast, fluid, immersive and beautiful Metro-style applications in HTML5/JavaScript, XAML/C# and C/C++. Your investments in these languages carry forward, making Windows a no-compromise platform for developers.

Whatever language you choose, your app gets deep integration with the Windows shell, including notifications, live tiles, deep links, and contracts with other apps. And now you can build once and support all Windows customers, no matter what type of PC they have—from tablets to laptops to convertibles to desktops.

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

Date: April 23, 2012       Time: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Location:  Club Nokia @ LA Live, 800 West Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Prerequisites

• Please bring a notebook computer and your personal identification.
• Be sure to download the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
• And, don't forget to download Visual Studio 11 Express for Windows 8 and seize the future of development.

Tweet any questions about the event and Windows8 Development at any time #Win8AppDev

Notes - This free event is brought to you by Microsoft. However, you are responsible for booking and funding your own travel and accommodations. Please note that there is limited space available for this event, so be sure to register early.

Can't make it to Los Angeles?  Attend the Livestream from 9amPST to 5pmPST!

-Scottker

Why is it the cell phone companies are always unable to help me find my phone when I lose it? It can’t have to do with privacy, that’s a lie, because it’s my phone with my account that has my data on it so privacy laws do not restrict me authorizing anyone to find my own property. It can’t be that they can’t find it because in an emergency they can find my phone very quickly, if I get kidnapped or in an accident or call 911 they can pinpoint me and my phone within a very small distance . It can’t be because the technology doesn’t exist either because if, for example, I lose my Windows Phone, I can go to “find my phone” at http://devices.live.com/ and locate it within 30 seconds (just another reason to have a windows phone).

So why can’t cell phone carriers help me locate my phone and instead are only capable of saying, sorry, which new phone would you like to pay full price for to replace your old phone. Now I remember, cell phone companies are unethical and use you losing your phone as an upsell/profit opportunity. It’s not that they CAN’T find your phone, it’s that they WON’T find your phone.

Do yourself a favor and buy a phone, it doesn’t have to be a Windows Phone, but buy a phone that YOU can locate over the internet if you lose it and make learning how to locate it quickly one of the first things you learn how to do on your phone. If you how to do it quickly before the battery dies right when you realize it’s missing, you will never have to depend on the call carriers and their unethical practices again.

In the meantime, someone should start a petition to the FCC requiring all carriers to provide online phone locating tools for all subscribers.

If you do happen to have a Windows Phone, here is a 4 minute video by my colleague Daniel Egan on how to locate your Windows Phone.

http://thesociablegeek.com/windows-phone-7/wp7-minute-episode-vifind-my-phone/

-ScottKer

UPDATE 4/12/2012:  Not even one week after I created this amazing post, the federal government has reacted!  The FCC will be building a "massive" database of lost cell phones World-Wide and "cracking down" on those people who are stealing phones by forming a taskforce of stakeholders to solve the real problem of robberies involving cell phones.  ;-)

http://www.fcc.gov/document/chairman-remarks-stolen-cell-phones-initiative

https://mashable.com/2012/04/10/fcc-lost-cellphone/

The students in the Microsoft Imagine Cup team with the most votes in the peoples choice awards will win a an all-expense paid trip to Sydney, Australia for the Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals this July!   Additionally, anyone who votes will be entered for a chance to win weekly prizes including Acer ultrabooks, GAEMS Xbox bundles, Beats by Dr. Dre headphones and more (See rules here!)!

Check out all of the teams here:  http://on.fb.me/voteicpc 

Good luck to ALL of the teams, it’s an honor to be in peoples choice!

-ScottKer

I am still currently recruiting for the IT Pro Evangelist role in the San Francisco bay area and have been since December 2011.  We are still taking resume’s and will likely take resume’s until at least the end of April 2012 before scheduling any in person interviews.  The process for this role is going to be a little slower than others.  The information on the role is at the bottom of this post.

If you are interested in the role, check it out here.

I have also written a little job faq that you can view here.

Did you know that Microsoft has been names the Worlds #1 Workplace?  Check it out by clicking on the image below.

IT PRO Evangelist

Job Category: Sales
Location: United States, CA, Mountain View
Job ID: 78290772965
Division: Sales

IT Professional Evangelist Job Description
Are you an experienced IT Professional with a broad skill set in deploying, monitoring, troubleshooting, managing and supporting Microsoft and non-Microsoft infrastructure solutions? Have you been paying attention to the current trends around cloud computing - public, private, hybrid? Do you love technology? Do you find opportunities to share your technical knowledge with others?
If you are a strong technical talent with experience and a passion for the Microsoft core technologies, we want to meet you!
The IT Professional Evangelist (ITE) is a member of the Audience Evangelism Team in Microsoft’s West Region Developer and Platform Evangelism (DPE) group tasked with driving IT professional satisfaction and platform adoption through online (blogs, webcasts, etc…) and in-person activities (events, user groups, customer engagements) in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this hands on technical role, your core mission will be leading Microsoft customers to understand how to take advantage of existing and new virtualization solutions and how to successfully transform businesses by deploying solutions in Microsoft private, public and hybrid clouds. You will also help your fellow IT professionals understand how to take advantage of innovative Microsoft management solutions spanning from on-premise to the cloud.
This is a highly technical role focused on Microsoft core infrastructure technologies such as: Windows Server 2008 R2, System Center, Microsoft’s private cloud, Hyper-V and Virtualization technologies, SQL Server 2012, Windows 7 and other emerging core infrastructure technologies such as Windows 8. The ITE leads by example and invests heavily in cultivating productive, influential partners and community leaders.
Key responsibilities of the role are:
• Drive satisfaction with Microsoft, Microsoft tools and Microsoft platform technologies
• Drive adoption of next generation virtualization technologies, Windows client platform and private cloud adoption
• Lead Microsoft-driven events such as TechNet Events and product launches
• Engage the broad IT professional community in partnership with community leaders
• Engage with the broad IT professional audience through online channels
Qualifications include:
7+ years of experience with Microsoft core infrastructure products (Windows Server, Active Directory, Exchange, Lync, SQL, etc.), experience delivering outstanding presentations to audiences of various sizes, and persuasive communication skills is required. Passion for and knowledge of current and future technology with solid knowledge of enterprise global IT requirements and competitive offerings required. Strong candidates will have deep involvement with the Microsoft IT professional community either as an MVP, User Group Leader, or influential blogger. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business information systems or computer science preferred. Recent Microsoft Certifications (MCTS, MCITP, MCSE, MCT, MCM, MCA), A broad familiarity with recent Microsoft technologies including Windows Server 2008 R2, System Center, Hyper-V and Virtualization technologies, Windows 7, etc. is a plus. Moderate travel (20-30%) is anticipated. Preferred location is San Francisco, CA.