Microsoft will be launching Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 this spring. But before they do – here is your chance to get an early tour of all the best features of the three new products. Some of the highlights will include:

• LINQ and all the new productivity features in Visual Studio 2008
• Windows Server 2008 Virtualisation, Server Core, NAP and IIS 7.0
• New SQL Server 2008 features to help build and manage BI Solutions and new SQL Server data types

The event will include content for both IT Professionals and Developers and will run from 2pm to 8:30pm. The decision to run into the evening is to facilitate people who may not be able to take a full day off work! The Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server Business Intelligence content will be covered from 2-5pm and the evening sessions will be more focused on developer content.

Schedule
1:30 – 2:00 Registration
2:00 – 2:05 Intro
2:05 – 3:05 Windows Server 2008 Highlights (Part 1) – Dave Northey
3.15 – 4:00 Windows Server 2008 Highlights (Part 2) – Dave Northey
4:00 – 4:15 Coffee Break
4:15 – 5:30 Business Intelligence Highlights of SQL Server 2008 – Bob Duffy
5:30 – 6:15 Coffee Break
6:15 – 7:30 Visual Studio 2008 Highlights – Ronan Geraghty
7:30 – 8:00 Highlights of SQL Server 2008 for developers – Ronan Geraghty
From 8:00 Reception

Launch Kit
The following products will be made available to all Community Launch attendees.

• Vista Ultimate Edition with SP1 + subscription to OneCare.
• Visual Studio 2008 Standard Edition.
• SQL Server 2008 CTP 5.0 plus a voucher for the full release of SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition when available later in the year.
• Windows Server 2008 Enterprise (64 + 32bit) for internal testing & evaluation only.

Unfortunately, the kits won’t be available on the day of the community launch – however, they will be posted out as soon as they become available. We’ll be mailing attendees in order to get postal addresses after the event. So please be sure to use an email address that you check frequently!

Registration for this event is now closed as we have reached the attendees limit

Speakers

Dave Northey

Dave Northey joined Microsoft Ireland ten years ago and has worked in both Consultancy and technical Pre-Sales. He currently works within the Developer and Platform Group, where he focuses on the underlying infrastructure (Windows Server & Client, Active Directory, Management & Security products). He became one of the first one hundred Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers in the world whilst working for AT&T in the UK as a country support specialist within their networking team. Dave has a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer, as has been working in the IT industry for over a quarter of a century.

Blog : http://blogs.technet.com/daven/
Website : http://blogs.technet.com/daven/

Ronan Geraghty

Ronan is a member of the Developer and Platform Group in Microsoft Ireland, and has been working with Microsoft technologies since the initial release of Windows for Workgroups back in the early 90's. Since then he has worked for a number of ISVs in areas as diverse as COM/CORBA interoperability, Mobile Web Portals and most recently enhanced television (including a BAFTA-nominated deployment) and interactive advertising. Within the Developer and Platform Group, Ronan works with ISVs and Enterprises in Ireland/Northern Ireland with a particular focus on the Application Platform which spans clients, servers and devices, and particularly enjoys learning about the innovative ways technology is being employed by customers and partners.

Blog : http://blogs.msdn.com/ronang/