Two big events for me recently...I hit the ten year mark here at Microsoft and I started a new job, taking a position as the Build Manager for the Windows Server Build.

When I started at Microsoft at the end of July 1995, I began my journey in the Windows NT Build Lab. Windows NT 3.51 had shipped, NT development had recently moved from building 2 to building 26, and during my first week we released the first official NT build with User and GDI in kernel space. Over the next four and a half years, I did builds and helped build the build team. Build is an exciting and demanding job, but after Windows 2000 shipped, it was time for me to move on. I spent a year in Windows Sustained Engineering and then the next four plus years with the Enterprise Engineering Center. Now as I hit a decade I find myself, in some ways, back where I started.

But, wow, things have changed. While many things have remained mostly the same, it's almost shocking to see how much further down the path of maturity the engineering process has become. The bottom line of the build lab is the same, get the build out, drive the code forward with high quality. The way we do this has evolved. Processes are in place to help drive quality, security, and assist in delivering on schedule.

I've always enjoyed my work at Microsoft, but I find that I'm once again excited to head into work and loathe to leave. As I get my feet back under me in my new role, I hope to post a few interesting tidbits about the development process and what goes into building Windows.