for nz developers and it professionalshttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/atom.xmlCommunity Server2008-05-29T04:30:00Zhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2009/03/30/subscribe-to-the-improved-nz-msdn-or-technet-flash-bi-weekly-online-newsletters-today-and-get-the-chance-to-win-a-hp-touchsmart-pc.aspx2009-03-31T01:23:00Z2009-03-31T01:23:00Z<P><A href="http://technet.microsoft.com/en-nz/cc462935.aspx" mce_href="http://technet.microsoft.com/en-nz/cc462935.aspx"><IMG style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 134px" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3400027672_8781e804c6.jpg?v=0" width=500 height=134 mce_src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3400027672_8781e804c6.jpg?v=0"></A>&nbsp;</P> <P>We know that your time is short so the NZ MSDN &amp;&nbsp;TECHNET&nbsp;Flash Newsletters aims to provide you with relevant, topical&nbsp;developer and IT Professional&nbsp;related updates from your local community and around the world. Each edition features an editorial piece produced by the NZ&nbsp;MSDN &amp; TECHNET Team where you will learn about free local Microsoft led training events including the <A href="http://www.microsoft.com/nz/events/unplugged/default.mspx" mce_href="http://www.microsoft.com/nz/events/unplugged/default.mspx">UNPLUGGED series</A>. </P> <P>You have told us that it is a challenge keeping up with our technology so we have included a regular feature within the NZ&nbsp;MSDN &amp; TECHNET Flash which highlights interactive and free learning resources such as virtual labs, webcasts and e-learning material on existing and new technologies from Microsoft. Also, you will be able to learn about your local developer &amp;&nbsp;IT Professional&nbsp;community and organisations to ensure you stay in the know about what's new! </P> <P>As part of our re-launch, subscribe to either the NZ MSDN or TECHNET Flash newsletter before the 25 June 2009 and get the chance to win&nbsp;a HP TouchSmart PC. In addition, one lucky subscriber will win a subscription of their choice (MSDN, TechNet or Expression) every month until the end of&nbsp;June. <A href="http://technet.microsoft.com/en-nz/cc462935.aspx" mce_href="http://technet.microsoft.com/en-nz/cc462935.aspx">So subscribe today and be into win!</A> </P> <P><A href="http://technet.microsoft.com/en-nz/dd626970.aspx" mce_href="http://technet.microsoft.com/en-nz/dd626970.aspx">Terms &amp; Conditions Apply.</A> </P><img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=9520561" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2009/03/01/vote-win-1-of-2-xbox360s.aspx2009-03-02T01:00:00Z2009-03-02T01:00:00Z<P>Technology can be the force that transforms great ideas into real world solutions. And that's the point of the Imagine Cup every year - to use technology to make a difference. These teams from around NZ have come up with solutions to the world's toughest problems. Check out their idea and see if it is up to scratch! Then vote for your favourite team to get a chance to win 1 of 2 XBOX360 consoles or 1 of 10 copies of Microsoft Office 2007 Professional. It's that easy!</P><img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=9453100" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2009/03/01/win-a-copy-of-dawn-of-war-ii-by-responding-to-mydevworld-this-month.aspx2009-03-02T00:50:00Z2009-03-02T00:50:00Z<P>Win a copy of Dawn of War II PC game by filling in a <A href="http://mydevworld.asia/" mce_href="http://mydevworld.asia/">quick survey</A> with your Windows Live ID. The developer survey will only require 5-10 minutes of your time. Our dev and his cubicle buddies will share some of their real life stories from the office. The winner will be notified on the 1st of April 2009. Note, this prize draw is open only to NZ residents. <A href="http://mydevworld.asia/" mce_href="http://mydevworld.asia/">Good Luck!</A> </P><img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=9453094" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2009/03/01/tech-days-a-24-hour-virtual-event-for-developers.aspx2009-03-02T00:38:00Z2009-03-02T00:38:00Z<P>On April 1 2009, join developers from all around the world for the first ever 24 hour day of technology training. Tech.Days will feature 95 live sessions across 5 tracks on current and emerging technologies in developer tools, mobility, windows, office/sharepoint and web development. All sessions will be recorded so if you can't make the live sessions, you can watch the on demand sessions later on. For more information and to register, <A href="http://www.msfttechdays.com/public/home.aspx" mce_href="http://www.msfttechdays.com/public/home.aspx">click here!</A> </P> <P mce_keep="true">&nbsp;</P><img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=9453078" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2009/01/14/announcing-new-zealand-s-strategic-partners-for-the-2009-imagine-cup-competition.aspx2009-01-14T05:50:00Z2009-01-14T05:50:00Z<P><IMG style="WIDTH: 604px; HEIGHT: 453px" height=453 src="http://photos-f.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v645/43/84/718263641/n718263641_1943685_942.jpg" width=604 mce_src="http://photos-f.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v645/43/84/718263641/n718263641_1943685_942.jpg"></P> <P>I am really excited to annouce the partnerships established with Imagine Cup NZ for 2009. The core objective of Imagine Cup encourages innovation via technology and also encourages closer collaboration between academia and industry. Our partnerships with Fronde, Intergen, NextSpace, Provoke, The NZ Computer Society and TechNZ will further strengthen the collaboration between academia and industry. </P><img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=9317861" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2009/01/14/keep-up-to-date-with-imagine-cup-competition-annoucements-and-more.aspx2009-01-14T05:45:00Z2009-01-14T05:45:00Z<P>Imagine Cup 2009 is now progressing full steam ahead with teams around the country getting stuck into their projects. Keep up to date with competition annoucements, progress and news by joining the&nbsp;<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><A href="http://go.campaigner.co.nz/link.php?M=166992&amp;N=96&amp;L=21&amp;F=H" target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: #da3b9b">Microsoft Imagine Cup 2009 NZ Facebook group</SPAN></A>! See you online! </SPAN></P><img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=9317851" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2008/09/10/check-out-tech-ed-2008-nz-online.aspx2008-09-10T06:15:00Z2008-09-10T06:15:00ZAnnually we run the Tech.Ed conference for IT professionals in the industry to showcase Microsoft's latest technologies and innovation. This year, we have also chosen to deliver the experience online for those who couldn't make the event. Check out <A href="http://www.techedlive.co.nz/">www.techedlive.co.nz</A> to see the keynote, popular technical breakout sessions plus download slide decks from the event! <img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=8938683" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2008/09/10/microsoft-corp-recruiting-for-technical-graduates-now.aspx2008-09-10T06:09:00Z2008-09-10T06:09:00ZMicrosoft is looking for final year students, recent graduates and industry candidates who are interested in development opportunities in North America. We're looking for Software Design Engineers and Software Design Engineer in Test. If you are interested please <A class="" href="http://www.microsoft.com/college/overseas.mspx" mce_href="http://www.microsoft.com/college/overseas.mspx">check out here</A>&nbsp;for more information.&nbsp;Application this year closes on Oct 3rd 2008! &nbsp;<img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=8938671" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2008/07/29/support-the-next-generation-of-ict-professionals-with-imagine-cup-2009.aspx2008-07-29T02:16:00Z2008-07-29T02:16:00Z<P>The New Zealand team performed well at the world wide finals in Paris this year - however it was our neighbour <A class="" href="http://imaginecup.com/about/news.aspx" mce_href="http://imaginecup.com/about/news.aspx">Team Australia</A> who took out the title of Software Design Winner Title for 2008. The theme and location for Imagine Cup 2009 <A class="" href="http://blogs.msdn.com/controlpanel/blogs/www.microsoft.co.nz/imaginecup" mce_href="http://blogs.msdn.com/controlpanel/blogs/www.microsoft.co.nz/imaginecup">has been annouced</A>. <A class="" href="http://www.microsoft.com/nz/imaginecup09/" mce_href="http://www.microsoft.com/nz/imaginecup09/">Registration is now open</A> for industry and academic mentors who wish to be involved for the 2009 competition. This is your opportunity to get involved with the next generation of developers and IT professionals and help them realise their ideas and dreams. <A class="" href="http://www.microsoft.com/nz/imaginecup09/" mce_href="http://www.microsoft.com/nz/imaginecup09/">Register </A>and stay tuned for more information. </P><img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=8786143" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2008/06/29/brightest-spot-in-the-world-for-the-first-week-of-july.aspx2008-06-29T09:08:00Z2008-06-29T09:08:00Z<P>This week, our winning <A class="" href="http://imaginecup08.spaces.live.com/" mce_href="http://imaginecup08.spaces.live.com/">NZ Imagine Cup team</A> will be joining 400 students from all around the world in Paris for the <A class="" href="http://imaginecup.com/Default.aspx" mce_href="http://imaginecup.com/Default.aspx">World Wide Finals of Imagine Cup</A>! Stay tuned online and track our progress as our NZ teams competes for the title for Software Design winner for Imagine Cup 2008! Also, the theme and location of the 2009 competition will also be annouced. Good luck to Team Phoneix from University of Canterbury! </P><img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=8666459" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2008/06/23/innovating-to-improve-the-planet.aspx2008-06-23T13:07:00Z2008-06-23T13:07:00Z<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face=Calibri size=3>With all the talk about Imagine Cup and this year’s theme on how to utilise technology to enable a more sustainable environment - I thought it would be timely to mention about what we are doing as an organisation in this area. As an organisation, we are also committed to innovating as a software company to improve the planet and help people/businesses around the world foster environmental sustainability. Check out how we are using innovative technologies and responsible business practices to address environmental challenges worldwide <A class="" href="http://www.microsoft.com/environment/" mce_href="http://www.microsoft.com/environment/">here</A>! </FONT></P><img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=8641755" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2008/06/17/stay-tuned-for-the-annoucement-of-theme-location-of-imagine-cup-2009.aspx2008-06-17T07:27:00Z2008-06-17T07:27:00ZThe theme and location for Imagine Cup 2009 has not yet been officially annouced but after July 9th, all will be revealed. Stay tuned! <A href="http://www.imaginecup.com/">www.imaginecup.com</A> <img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=8609003" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2008/06/15/new-curriculum-available-for-xna-game-development-an-introduction.aspx2008-06-16T00:11:00Z2008-06-16T00:11:00ZA new set of XNA curriculum is now available under the Aademic Resource Centre. It is titled - Overall Basic XNA Game Development Curriculum. It's a 15 hour course and <A class="" href="https://www.academicresourcecenter.net/curriculum/pfv.aspx?ID=7356" mce_href="https://www.academicresourcecenter.net/curriculum/pfv.aspx?ID=7356">can be found here</A>. <img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=8601947" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2008/06/10/dreambuildplay-challenge-2008-opens.aspx2008-06-10T06:41:00Z2008-06-10T06:41:00ZWork as an individual or in a team and build the ultimate game using XNA Game Studios 2.0 for the XBOX360 platform. $75K cash prize at stake plus by simply registering you will get a free 12 months XNA Creators Club Trial Membership. <A class="" href="https://www.dreambuildplay.com/main/Default.aspx?JumpTo=HOME" mce_href="https://www.dreambuildplay.com/main/Default.aspx?JumpTo=HOME">Find out more here!</A> <img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=8588490" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/paullo/archive/2008/05/29/check-out-the-worldwide-telescope.aspx2008-05-29T06:30:00Z2008-05-29T06:30:00ZThe World Wide Telescope is a Web 2.0 visualisation software environment that enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope - bringing together imagery from the best ground and space based telescopes in the world for a seamless exploration of the universe. It's free and very cool! <A class="" href="http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/" mce_href="http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/">Check it out here</A>! <img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=8557223" width="1" height="1">paullohttp://blogs.msdn.com/members/paullo.aspx