Vista Party
Celebrating Vista's Release - 2007
Workshops
Here're descriptions of some of the workshops, more coming soon!Windows Powershell
Windows System Administrators have long used scripting to automate routine administrative tasks such as adding new users to Active Directory or mapping network drives. Over the years Microsoft has expanded the toolset for administrative scripting to include Windows Scripting Host, WMI and ADSI. Now in Q4, 2006 Microsoft recently released a new scripting environment, Powershell, with a new built-in scripting language that is fully integrated with the .NET Framework. In the words of WindowsITPro Magazine "Unix administrators won't be laughing anymore." Powershell lets administrators string together lots of little commands to create complex commands via a process labeled as composition. Powershell also supports pipelining which sends the output of one command to the next command. Powershell is completely object oriented and all of its commands return objects, not text strings. The Powershell environment (an enhanced version of cmd.exe) includes a raft of built-in cmdlets which replicate and expand the functionality of familiar DOS commands. In addition, any administrator (or third party developer) can design and build additional cmdlets to augment the built-in collection. We will walk step by step through a series of tasks designed to illustrate the features and capabilities of Windows Powershell.Presented by: Cal Schrotenboer
Cool Vista Apps
In this session, we will show you some of the cool apps built for Windows Vista. From Snowboarding visualization, to a new way to read newspapers, to cancer research, see what folks are building on this new platform.Presented by: Nima Dilmaghani
Windows Presentation Foundation
Windows Presentation Foundation is a new programming paradigm introduced in Version 3.0 of the .NET Framework as an alternative to traditional Windows Forms programming. WPF effectively permits the separation of user interface design (to be principally implemented by designers) from the underlying functionality (to be implemented by developers) using a new XML variant, XAML. WPF also permits almost any control to host any other control, thereby allowing dramatic user interface designs such as buttons hosting videos or 3D drawings. WPF also permits every control to be built in a scalable fashion so that an entire form -- including buttons, graphics, labels, textboxes and the text which they contain -- can be expanded or shrunken simply by dragging the sizing handle.This presentation will attempt to clarify the following:
What is WPF?
How does WPF compare to Windows Forms Development?
Does WPF Require Windows Vista?
What are the Other Requirements of WPF?
What is XAML and how is it used by WPF?
What is WPF/E?
What is XBAP?
What are the Applications in the Expressions Suite?
This presentation will consist of two parts. The first part (in time slot 2) will explain what WPF is and where it fits into the .NET development field. The second part (in time slot 3) will consist entirely of a live demonstration of building an XBAP application. While this demonstration will (hopefully) be very interesting to watch, understanding what is happening will be greatly augmented by attending the first session.
Presented by: Cal Schrotenboer
Vista Gadget Overview and Development
Gadgets are easy to use small programs that give you information at a glance as well as provide easy access to frequently used tools. In this session, we will first provide a brief overview of what Gadgets are and how to use them. We will demonstrate several useful Gadgets and talk about how they are used as well as installed. We will then build a Gadget from scratch using javascript and the Gadget API. The Gadget we plan on building will monitor your Windows ReadyBoost, a technology introduced in Vista that allows you to improve performance with non-volatile RAM such as a USB Memory Stick.Presented by: Peter Kellner
Not Just for Road Warriors -- Using Mobile Devices with Vista
One powerful feature of Windows Vista is its emphasis on seamless integration with mobile devices for both business and personal use. This presentation will outline how Vista integrates with mobile devices such as cell phones, PDA's, Ultra-mobile, tablet or notebook PCs. It will provide general insight into the various schemes used for integrating the mobile user with the home or office computer operating Vista. More detailed information on system architecture will describe how all of the various elements such as the devices, wireless and wired communication, and the home or office computer systems interact to provide an easy, seamless, and secure experience to the user.Presented by: Charles Wilde
Performance Enhancements in Vista
Windows Vista isn't just a pretty new face. In this workshop we'll be covering the performance technologies Microsoft has implemented in its newest operating system. We'll cover Vista's new memory model, SuperFetch, ReadyBoost, and ReadyDrive. We'll be discussing how these technologies work, why they're good, and in what situations they are most effective. If time allows we'll also look at the Windows Experience Index and new tools Vista includes to help you track down performance bottlenecks in your system.Presented by: Joe Gershgorin
Search in Windows Vista, Outlook 2007 and Microsoft Office ShareP
This demonstration showcases the IT Pro benefits and improvements of Search in Windows Vista, Outlook 2007, and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. The goal of the demo is to highlight the IT Pro benefits and end user functionality in Microsoft’s enterprise search offerings. The first half of this demonstration focuses on the end-user experience of Microsoft’s enterprise search offerings on the desktop and the Intranet. On the desktop, Vista and Outlook 2007 are showcased; on the Intranet, SharePoint 2007 is showcased. The second half of this demonstration focuses on how to administer, configure and manage the different technologies. Close attention will be paid to SharePoint Server 2007 specifically calling out the administration improvements made in the search administration experience by demonstrating how customer feedback on SharePoint Portal Server 2003 has been addressed in MOSS 2007. Examples include removing a single document from the index, query reporting, simplified UI and simplified scope management.Presented by: Scott Mauvais
Making Great Software
Ever wonder how great software gets made? User Experience is the key. Get an overview of some of the tools and techniques needed to create great software.Presented by: Will Tschumy
Vista and Office Overview
Learn about the strength of the Windows Vista and Microsoft Office system platforms and discover the wide array of solutions that can be built for these groundbreaking products. We'll showcase the key elements of each platform, and what makes them so compelling for solution development. We will also cover the broad tool set that is available across both platforms, allowing you to make the most efficient use of your development time. Windows Vista enables developers to create engaging, visually stunning, and highly differentiated user interfaces that make applications more usable and productive for end-users. You'll see how you can use managed and native technologies, including Windows(r) Presentation Foundation, XAML, Direct X 10, Sidebar, and the new Aero interface to create these new experiences.Presented by: Anand Iyer
Gaming in Vista
Gaming is about to change radically with the release of Windows Vista. In this workshop you'll get a chance to learn about the imporvements in gaming with features such as DirectX 10, the "games" folder, and parental controls. The talk will feature trailers from upcoming games such as Spore and Unreal Tournament 2007 as well a discussion on what specs your computer needs to run these games.Presented by: George Deglin
Office OneNote 2007 and Office Groove 2007
New to the Office 2007 family of programs is OneNote 2007 and Office Groove 2007. See what these programs have to offer as we give you a live demo of Office OneNote and a tour and Office Groove 2007. Once you see what these programs can do for you, you'll be using them daily.Presented by: Douglas R. Spindler
Tour of Office 2007
Microsoft has Office 2007 has a new look, gone are the drop down and fly our menus. New is the ribbon bar and a new file structure. If you've been an Office we show you how to make the transition as we demonstrate Office 2007.Presented by: Douglas R. Spindler
NextGen Networking in Vista
Microsoft included several new protocols in Vista, including IPv6. Is a brilliant move or blunder? You decide, as we discuss the impact these protocols will have on home users, security and network performance.Presented by: Douglas R. Spindler
Fun Stuff with Vista
There are many geeky things you can do with Vista for work or for building your next start-up, but what about the fun non-work stuff that involves the internet, TV, movies, and music. How about the stuff that your non-geek family and friends can enjoy? In this session, we’ll show you things that you can do with Vista Ultimate for blogging, livening up social gatherings, and using your computer to turn your living room, bedroom, or dorm room into an entertainment bonanza.Presented by: Stephanie Quilao
Top 10 new features in Windows Vista
We will show the top 10 features of Vista, and show you how to use them to make your experience richer and more powerful.Presented by: Nima Dilmaghani