GisliO.net [MSFT]

Do you want to make a difference

The Office System team is sponsoring in cooperation with HP a contest that I think is a great way to do things. The basic idea is that you develop an application for your favorite charity before August 31st and you and the charity could win some great prizes.

So if you want to make a difference in the world and take part in a fun contest then I highly suggest you take a look at http://www.developwithoutborders.com

 

Do you want to show off at PDC?

Wireless on the road

It is amazing how easy it is to get connected while on the road. Right now I am about 1/3 through my American Roadtrip, sitting in a tent near San Fransisco, using my GPRS phone to connect to the internet. Many places I have been able to use wireless, either free, paid or "borrowed" to keep everyone back home and friends int he US up to speed on my travel. You can read it at http://spaces.msn.com/members/gislio/ if you are interested.

The fun thing I like about using my GPRS is the fact I can surf the network while driving 75 mph. :-) Well my wife has to be driving actually, since using the computer and driving does not go well together.

We are using Microsoft Streets & Trips 2005 to find our way around the USA and so far it has worked excellent - but a more thorough review on that later.

Steve Ballmer on Channel 9

Scoble just sat down with Steve Ballmer and did a video interview with him on Channel 9. Check it out!

Plains, more plains and automobiles

Right now I'm sitting in the speaker's lounge at TechEd 2005 Amsterdam getting ready for my Windows Forms session tomorrow. So far all the demos are running, except for a minor bug that I am still investigating. Hopefully I'll find out what is going wrong or otherwise I'll just skip that part of the demo.

This is a busy week for me. I arrived in Amsterdam on Saturday - decided to arrive a little early to be able to spend more quality time in front of my computer running demos again and again and again until they seem smooth. Originally I planned to stay the entire conference in order to attend some talks myself and learn a few new things, but unexpected things came up and I have to fly to Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon to attend our World Wide Partner Conference. My main task there is to play host to the 30 Icelandic partners that are attending the conference. On Sunday evening I fly back to Amsterdam, arriving around 9am local time. I then have a plane to catch to Iceland later in the afternoon the same day. The reason for the long stop-over in Amsterdam is that it is very important for me to get back to Iceland next Monday, so I left room for flight delays and cancelations - just in case.

The reason it is important for me to fly back on Monday is that Tuesday afternoon (July 12th), I'll actually be flying back to the US. This time with my wife and 5 kids. We are heading on a 6 week long roadtrip covering 10.000 km of driving. We will be driving a big circle covering both the east and west coasts along with the famous route 66. You can actually see our roadtrip plan here.

The nice thing about this trip is that it is a long and deserved vaction - when I return on August 23rd school will be starting for the kids and fall has arrived in Iceland.

Oracle Migration Contest

SQL Server Marketing is offering a Custom Chopper for the best migration from Oracle to SQL Server. The chopper is valued at approximately US $50,000! The award will be presented to the winner at the SQL Server 2005 Launch Event in San Francisco.

For more details visit: http://www.sqlserverchopper.com/

Do you want Microsoft to promote your Smart Client application?

If you are an ISV that writes Smart Client applications, then this is your chance to get Microsoft to promote it.

TechEd Amsterdam - 5 years later

I spoke at TechEd Amsterdam back in 2000. I was a Lead Program Manager for Digital Dashboard back then and had a fun time showing that technology off to the crowd there. I had attended various TechEd's in Europe before and spoken at various TechEd's and PDCs in USA before, but it was fun to speak in front of people I knew from Iceland. Ever since the first TechEd in Europe (in 1994 if my memory serves me correctly) the number of attendees from Iceland has grown steadily. We had 50 people attend last years conference and hopefully we will beat that number this year. This year I'll be speaking about what is new in WinForms development in Visual Studio 2005. It is a fun talk loaded with demos so over the next few weeks I'll be spending my evenings making sure I know the demos by heart. I'm looking forward to speaking and if you are a reader of my blog and are attending TechEd in Amsterdam this summer be sure to stop by and listen to me and say hi.

SQL Server 2005 - July CTP - Now freely downloadable

Did you know that SQL Server 2005 June CTP Is now available for general testing at:

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/2005/productinfo/ctp.mspx

There are no restrictions; available to everyone – you don’t need to be in the beta program or have a MSDN subscription.

Free E-Learning and Skills Assessments for VS 2005/SQL Server 2005

I got an anouncement on one of my internal email lists that I though might be of interest to you...

Microsoft Learning (MSL) has just announced the availability of 16 skills products designed to help you build your Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005 skills.  As of June 3 you can take these free* skills assessments and e-Learning products to prepare your skills for the upcoming product releases. 

* Microsoft E-Learning for Visual Studio 2005 is free until November 8, 2005. Microsoft E-Learning for SQL Server 2005 is free until November 1, 2006.  Internet connection time charges may apply.

Features

E-Learning products represent a total of 62 hours of in-depth online training on the newest features of Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005, with hands-on virtual labs and offline functionality.  By taking a skills assessment, individuals obtain a personalized learning plan to help them understand if they are ready to implement specific business solutions.  Personalized learning plans include Microsoft Official Curriculum courses, Official Microsoft E-Learning Courses, Microsoft Press books, and other technical resources that will help them with their preparation.

Where?

Go visit these pages ·         Visual Studio 2005 Learning Resources: http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/learning ·         SQL Server 2005 Learning Resources: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sql/learning/

Product details

E-Learning

Visual Studio 2005

Clinic 2551:  Introduction to Visual Studio Team System 

Course 2924:  Building Data Components in Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2005                                                                  

Course 2925:  Building Managed Code for SQL Server 2005 and Creating SOA Applications with Visual Studio 2005          

Course 2928:  Implementing Data Access and Security in an ASP.NET 2.0 Web Application 

SQL Server 2005

Course 2936:  Installing and Securing Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005

Course 2937:  Administering and Monitoring Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005                                                                     

Course 2938:  Data Availability Features in Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005                                                                      

Course 2939:  Programming Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005                                                                                           

Course 2940:  Building Services and Notifications Using Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005                                                   

Course 2941:  Creating the Data Access Tier Using Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005                                                        

Course 2944:  Updating Your Reporting Skills to Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 Reporting Services

 

Skills Assessments

Visual Studio 2005

AS27A: What's New in Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2005

AS27B What's New in ASP.NET 2.0

SQL Server 2005

AS22A: Introducing Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 for Database Administrators

AS23A: Introducing Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 for Database Developers

AS24 A: Introducing Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 for Business Intelligence Developers

Architecture Webcasts

	As a Microsoft Architect, I thought this Architecture Webcast Series may be of interest to you. You're Invited to Attend an Exclusive Architecture Webcast Series. Learn how to apply the latest developments in architecture and make the connection that can turn your vision into reality. Plus get a free architecture book* and up to four entries in the Portable Media Center Sweepstakes.** You'll also gain access to architecture resources only available to webcast participants. Choose from these timely webcast topics and register now. Connecting Your Business with Service Orientation Live Webcast 10:00–11:00 A.M. PT, Tuesday, June 14, 2005 Creating a Shared Technology Vision Live Webcast 10:00–11:00 A.M. PT, Tuesday, June 21, 2005 The Value of Reusable Frameworks Live Webcast 10:00–11:00 A.M. PT, Tuesday, June 28, 2005 Examining Enterprise Service Patterns Live Webcast 10:00–11:00 A.M. PT, Tuesday, July 12, 2005 Get the Details and Choose Your Webcasts. Check out complete descriptions of the topics and find out who's presenting. Each webcast will give you practical guidance from experts that can help you to create even more efficient solutions. Reserve your place now—these webcasts are only accessible by registering online.

Get the Connected Systems Kit

If you care about SOA and how to connect different systems together, don't let this excellent opportunity pass you by. Get the kit totally free (even worldwide shipping is free) at the Connected Systems page.

Get a free book about VS.NET 2005!!!

Did you know that developers who register their copy of Beta 2 will have access to a free developer title from Microsoft Press.  After downloading the Beta you receive an email telling you about this benefit. When you complete the registration process you will receive an email with a link to the online books, and an access code.  You will have access to one book per code.  If you register multiple SKUs of the Beta, then you will receive additional access codes, giving you access to more books.  The offer is available worldwide, books are English-only.

SQL Server BI Webcasts

If you want to learn more about BI in SQL Server 2005, then tune into the webcasts at http://www.microsoft.com/events/series/sqlserverbi.mspx and if you meet the requirements you could even win a portable media center pre-loaded with a selection of the webcasts.

IIS Webcasts

If you ever wanted to know more about IIS and how it works I suggest you talk a look at www.iiswebcastseries.com it is a great resource