My first PDC
I am a Program Manager in MSN and next week I will be going to the Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles for the first time. My role here touches on many products that we produce, such as Hotmail, MSN Messenger, MSN Mobile, MSN Spaces, and MSN TV, by providing web services for the centralized Address Book for all Passport users of those applications. So I will be looking for sessions that talk about Web Services in general, SQL Databases, Social Networking etc.
To that end, I am certainly going to take the advice of Dare, and visit these sessions as a priority:
COM301 MSN Messenger: Extending MSN Messenger with Multi-Person Instant Messaging Applications
Day/Time: Wednesday, September 14 1:45 PM- 3:00 PM Room: 406 AB
Speaker(s): Scott Swanson
Session Type(s): Breakout
Session Level(s): 300
Track(s): Communications
This session covers the architecture and design of multi-person IM applications within MSN Messenger using the Messenger Activity API. We show how to use the peer-to-peer capabilities of the Activity API to build multi-user IM applications that can send files, instant messages, data, and integrate with other services. Build your IM applications to work with MSN Messenger, the world's largest instant messaging service with more than 165 million customers worldwide.
DAT322 MSN Search: Building Web and Desktop Search into Your Applications
Day/Time: Thursday, September 15 5:15 PM- 6:30 PM Room: 409 AB
Speaker(s): Seth Demsey, Chris McConnell
Session Type(s): Breakout
Session Level(s): 300
Track(s): Data & Systems
This session shows you how to harness the power of Web and Desktop Search within your applications. We provide an overview of the MSN Search APIs for both searching the Web and your desktop. We then demonstrate how to use these APIs to create applications that harness the power of searching your local data and Web data.
DATL03 Tips, Tricks & Hacks to MSN Search and Desktop Search Platforms
Day/Time: Friday, September 16 12:00 PM- 12:45 PM Room: 403 AB
Speaker(s): Andy Edmonds
Session Type(s): Lunch Session
Track(s): Data & Systems
This session will show you how to get the most of MSN Search and Windows Desktop Search. From advanced syntax to API usage and RSS, you will be equipped to get exactly what you want from these search tools. Learn about the ranking sliders which allow you to emphasize freshness or popularity in the results. We will also be distributing a hack which customizes MSN Search to the needs of a PDC attendee. For Windows Desktop Search you'll learn how to make yourself more productive with advanced query syntax, Deskbar shortcuts, additional locations and customized previews.
DATL05 Case Study: Extending Virtual Earth for Windows Mobile Devices
Day/Time: Thursday, September 15 1:00 PM- 1:45 PM Room: 404 AB
Speaker(s): Steve Lombardi
Session Type(s): Lunch Session
Track(s): Data & Systems
MSN Virtual Earth (www.virtualearth.com) is an evolution of local search technology that gives consumers a deeply immersive search experience where they can easily find, discover, plan, and share what is important to them. Microsoft is now harnessing its extensive search and mapping assets to create an entirely new local search experience for consumers and businesses. In this session, learn how you can programmatically tap into the power of Virtual Earth to location enable your device applications. Learn how the powerful managed code features of Windows Mobile 5.0 enable you to integrate your devices contacts and calendar with Virtual Earth's powerful search and mapping engines.
PNL09 APIs in the Sky: Developing Public Web Services
Day/Time: Friday, September 16 10:30 AM- 12:00 PM Room: 152/153 (Hall F)
Speaker(s): Don Box, Seth Demsey, Omri Gazitt, Alan Geller, David Nielsen, Doug Purdy
Session Type(s): Panel
Track(s): Communications
Want to know how Amazon, Paypal and MSN design, build, and maintain their Web services? Interested in learning best practices and key insights from the architects of Windows Communication Foundation ("Indigo")? If so, this is the panel for you. Join Don Box and other industry luminaries as they discuss the practical trade-offs involved when building Web services today and what you can expect to see in the near and long-term future.
I hope to see you there.
I will be taking photos and making notes of my first impressions from the sessions and the stands, so if you are interested in seeing what goes on, even if you can't attend, I will do my best to provide the highlights for you to digest.
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