Notes from Tech Ed 2009

This week I'm at Microsoft's Tech Ed. There are keynotes, hundreds of sessions, hands-on labs, exhibitors, and tons of things happening. There is too much to cover it all. A lot of it is available online as well. Over the next few days, I’m going to try to post comments here in my blog on things I've learned or observations. Some will be sniper shots at things (like the Bill Veghte saying people want demos rather than PowerPoint, so they were going to do demos – he said this after 35 minutes of slides….).

If you are not at TechEd, you are not alone. This is one of the smaller TechEds to happen in a while. The number stated here is 7,000 attendees.


A couple of early pieces of news;

• Microsoft plans to continue investing in R&D even though the economy is bad. They plan to increase R&D this year over last and to maintain that next year.
• Community Technology Preview (CTP in second half of 2009 for SQL Server. This will be titled SQL Server 2008 R2 (not 2010).
• Microsoft Office 2010 Technology preview in July of 2009. This will be invitation only.

Words used in first part of the keynote:

• "Dynamic IT" – This has been used for a few years by Microsoft
• "Virtualization" – continues to be important on both server and client
• "Data Centers versus 'in the Cloud'" – It is expected that this will be an "and" situation and not an "or" situation.
• Simplified Desk Top Management

Of course, the first demo at Tech Ed 2009 was Windows 7 RC. It was stated that over 10,000 companies were participating in the RC release. Several graphics card vendors have already approved certification with Windows.

Some Notes / Terms

• PowerShell V2 built into Windows 7.
• 1500 Group policy settings in Internet Explorer 8
• XP mode – Can install the XP virtual machine. This has integration with the Windows 7 Start menu, so you can run applications without knowing anything about VMs. This isn't new. There is a Virtualization Management Console that is newer.
• Application virtualization. (AppV) – The separation of the application from the OS. Applications are streamed down to the OS into a virtualized window.
• Roaming User Profiles
• redirected files
• Optimized Desktop Initiative (marketing term)
• The "Replaceable PC?
• Highlighted VHDs in Windows 7
• Application compatibility – Most software that runs on Windows Vista will run on Windows 7. There is an application compatibility toolkit. They said people should be using it!
• When is Windows 7 shipping? RC shipped with over a million downloads. They are going for holiday and tracking very well for it. Windows Server 2008 R2 is also tracking well.

stay tuned for more....!



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