XamlFest- Free Training/Tools on Silverlight, WPF, XAML Dec 17-18, 2008

Developers, Designer come and  take advantage of a free interactive hands-on training at  “XamlFest” offered at the Microsoft, Mountain View campus from 12/17-12/18 where you’ll learn about how to build Silverlight, WPF application using Visual Studios, Expression Blend etc.

It’s a perfect opportunity to mingle with UX minded Microsoft folks as well as industry leading design integrators.  It’s also an opportunity to pick up a free copy of Visual Studio 2008 and Expression Studio 2 for you attendance.

Each XamlFest day will start with interactive sessions by Microsoft and our design partners, followed by a free lunch and a chance to network, have some fun and win prizes. Each afternoon will be geared toward assisted development with instructor-led walk throughs, or, better yet, come with your own project in mind and we’ll help kick start your very own proof of concept!

Registration

To register, please send an e-mail with the names and e-mail addresses of your attendees to xamlfest-siliconvalley@live.com.

 

Dates

Wednesday & Thursday December 17^th and 18^th

Attendees

We’re only allowing 50 attendees to this event. First come, first served.

Venue

Microsoft Technology Center: Silicon Valley

1065 La Avenida—Building One

Mountain View, CA 94043

(650) 693-1001

Agenda

Please note that each attendee will need a laptop to take part in the assisted development sessions.

Date

Time

Topic

Wednesday, December 17^th

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Introduction to WPF, Xaml, Expression Blend

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Break

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM

Building Visually Rich Applications: The role of the Integrator in building designable applications

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Lunch, Mingle, Prizes

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Instructor-led WPF walkthrough and assisted development

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Assisted development

Thursday, December 18^th

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Introduction to Silverlight, Data Binding, LINQ

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Break

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM

Platform Centric Design Best Practices:

Creating WPF and Silverlight XAML for Web and Local Client Solutions

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Lunch, Mingle, Prizes

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Instructor-led Silverlight walkthrough and assisted development

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Assisted development

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What if I don’t have Visual Studio?

A. No problem, every attendee leaves with Visual Studio 2008 Pro!

Q. What if I don’t have Expression Blend?

A. Again, no problem! Everyone leaves with Expression Studio 2.

Q. What if I don’t have an idea for a starter project?

A. We’d like you to leave with something personal, but if nothing comes to mind that’s OK too. It’s the main reason we’re planning a few guided sessions where you can fallow along with us. These sessions should take no more than two hours, so if something sparks your interest you’ll still have time left for assisted development.

Q. What if I don’t have a laptop?

A. You can still participate in the training in the mornings and lunch, but assisted development in the afternoon is a harder problem to solve. We have no problem with people pairing up, so you might want to check with friends or co-workers to see if they’re interested.

Q. Can I just come for the training and skip assisted development?

A. XamlFest is about empowering designers and developers to deliver great user experiences and we believe a key component is hands-on assisted development. If you are unable to participate in the afternoon sessions please wait until the day before the event to register. This will give others the opportunity to sign up first, and if there’s still space available you’re welcome to join us.

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Software Startups Accelerate with Microsoft BizSpark

 

 

 

 

 

Today Microsoft announced BizSpark, an exciting new offering that will enable software startups to leverage Microsoft development and platform technologies to deliver Next Generation Web and Software-Plus-Services applications. 

The goal of BizSpark is designed to accelerate the success of early stage startups by providing access to:

• Software:  Fast and easy access to Microsoft’s current full-featured development tools, platform technologies, and production licenses of server products for immediate use in developing and bringing to market innovative and interoperable solutions with no upfront costs and minimal requirements
• Support:  Professional technical support from Microsoft (MSDN) and community support from BizSpark “Network Partners” around the world who provide a wide range of support resources for software startups (e.g., entrepreneur incubators, associations, & investors)
• Visibility:  Global visibility to an audience of potential investors, clients, and partners.

BizSpark will be available to startups that fit the following criteria:

• A private company building a software-based product or service (not intended for consultants/system integrators or customers/enterprises)
• In business for less than 3 years
• Less than $1M in revenue
• Nominated by a  Network Partner 

If you are a eligible Software Startup eager to start building your software/service please visit www.microsoft.com/BizSpark now!