So if you haven't heard by now, if not where on earth have you been?, Microsoft will be hosting their biggest launch event in the UK ever with the launch of VS2008, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008, look here for more info.
So anyway, us guys at NxtGenUG Southampton figured it would be great for our local community to get involved with this whole launch extravaganza and have been working and planning hard to get something sorted. So the idea of an "Install Fest" from the other side of the pond came up as a possibility and we figured it would be a great idea to do for our community over here, something just a little bit different from the norm.
So you're probably thinking "what on earth is an Install Fest when it's at home", so I'll try and and explain. Essentially to celebrate the launch of Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008, Microsoft have been getting involved with local community user groups such as our own and given us lots of free copies of software to give away as swag. There will be the usual pizza abound, a few drinks here and there, and plenty of swag - basically every attendee will walk away with at least a copy of VS2008 Standard. To get an idea of what it might be like take a look at these blogs: Scott Hanselmann's invite to portland install fest, Szymon Kobalczyk's Install Fest in Krakow and Chris Koenig's Install Fest update.
So you may be asking what is so different from the usual monthly sessions? Well, apart from the fact that the swag is great we're inviting all attendees to bring their laptops or desktops to the event and we will all install the RTM components together, whilst all that is happening we'll be having some fun on a couple of XBox 360s with Guitar Hero 3, prizes for the best rock star so get your string plucking fingers ready!
Our sessions normally run from 19:00 - 21:00 but this session will be starting slightly earlier at 18:30 until 21:30, the reason for this is that we want to pack as much as we possibly can into this session and both John and I have recruited community member Neil Robbins (if you've been to a Southampton event you've probably met him) to help us put together a session on our 'Top 5 Features of VS2008, SQL Server 2008 and Windows 2008.
So by attending this event you'll not only learn loads about the 3 latest Microsoft products but you'll also get to eat lots of pizza (as usual), get some great swag, have some fun for the evening and try and beat your mates at Guitar Hero....what more could you ask for?
Anyway, that just about covers it, the event hasn't quite reached the NxtGen event list yet but keep your eye on it and register as soon as you can, we've only got a limited amount of software licenses to give away!
Cheers
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