Tuesday, June 24, 2008
I like speaking in public. I really enjoy it. But it's been far too long since I've done it. And my next scheduled talk isn't until the end of August, at DevLink.
I'm posting this message to let the world know that I'm ready to get back in the game. Please contact me at jeffrey.blankenburg@microsoft.com if you would like me to come talk to your developers, whether that's internal to your company, or at a user group in your community. I will do my best to accomodate all requests. I've got several new talks ready, as well as a few older favorites that audiences enjoy.
Here they are:
* Building Next Generation Web Apps With Visual Studio 2008
This talk is an overview of Visual Studio 2008 and some of the great new features it has to offer. This includes tools and techniques ranging from the Split view design pane to effectively using LINQ.
* Silverlight 101: The Basics
This talk really is an introduction. We'll talk about XAML, build a basic application, and show the integration with Expression Blend. I would recommend this for any group that wants to get their feet wet with Silverlight.
* Silverlight 301: Way More Than A Spinning Button
In this talk, we will learn how to build a Silverlight application that talks to a SQL server through a WCF web service. We will render the content in a visually appealing way using XAML. And if you ask nicely, I'll even spin a button for ya.
* Cool Microsoft Stuff: The Technologies You Have To Try
This is an overview of some of the amazing things Microsoft is working on behind the scenes. Some of them are available in beta form, but you're guaranteed to see something you've never seen before. This includes technologies like Photosynth, Deep Zoom, and Live Mesh.
* XNA Anyone?
This talk will walk you through the basics of game development using XNA as the platform. We will also talk about game development for the Zune.
I'm posting this message to let the world know that I'm ready to get back in the game. Please contact me at jeffrey.blankenburg@microsoft.com if you would like me to come talk to your developers, whether that's internal to your company, or at a user group in your community. I will do my best to accomodate all requests. I've got several new talks ready, as well as a few older favorites that audiences enjoy.
Here they are:
* Building Next Generation Web Apps With Visual Studio 2008
This talk is an overview of Visual Studio 2008 and some of the great new features it has to offer. This includes tools and techniques ranging from the Split view design pane to effectively using LINQ.
* Silverlight 101: The Basics
This talk really is an introduction. We'll talk about XAML, build a basic application, and show the integration with Expression Blend. I would recommend this for any group that wants to get their feet wet with Silverlight.
* Silverlight 301: Way More Than A Spinning Button
In this talk, we will learn how to build a Silverlight application that talks to a SQL server through a WCF web service. We will render the content in a visually appealing way using XAML. And if you ask nicely, I'll even spin a button for ya.
* Cool Microsoft Stuff: The Technologies You Have To Try
This is an overview of some of the amazing things Microsoft is working on behind the scenes. Some of them are available in beta form, but you're guaranteed to see something you've never seen before. This includes technologies like Photosynth, Deep Zoom, and Live Mesh.
* XNA Anyone?
This talk will walk you through the basics of game development using XNA as the platform. We will also talk about game development for the Zune.
Labels: developer evangelist, jeff blankenburg, microsoft, Silverlight, silverlight 2, software development
Thursday, August 02, 2007
I always get accused of not announcing the big things in my life (and I generally don't, because I don't want to come across as more arrogant), and so I've decided to let everyone know about this one.
I just recently spent a few days in Redmond, WA interviewing with a small software company located there (Microsoft). They have a position here in Columbus called "Developer Evangelist," and I have been interested in the job since I first heard about it. In short, the job requires me to learn about the new software development technologies that Microsoft has created (well before the general community has access to them), and then announce/demonstrate/teach those technologies to the developer communities in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
There will certainly be some travel involved with this position, getting around those 4 states, and a great deal of public speaking (something I enjoy, but have much more to learn about). This is a major deviation from what my career has been thus far, which has primarily focused on building software for clients, with budgets, timelines, and all of the other hurdles that generally stress me out.
I am really looking forward to this opportunity, and I think that this is the type of position that will offer me learning experiences on a daily basis. It's a great honor to have even been considered for this position by Microsoft, let alone awarded the job. My first day will be August 13.
This position was previously held by Drew Robbins, who has been an absolutely amazing asset to me and my team at Quick Solutions. He has left behind some enormous shoes to be filled, and I only hope I can succeed where his legacy left off. He has moved on to Redmond, where he will be the Technical Evangelist for the IIS7 team. I'm sure the world is in for a shakeup once he starts doing his magic.
So, in my travels though the "Heartland District," I hope I will have an opportunity to see many of you, if only for a beer.
I just recently spent a few days in Redmond, WA interviewing with a small software company located there (Microsoft). They have a position here in Columbus called "Developer Evangelist," and I have been interested in the job since I first heard about it. In short, the job requires me to learn about the new software development technologies that Microsoft has created (well before the general community has access to them), and then announce/demonstrate/teach those technologies to the developer communities in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
There will certainly be some travel involved with this position, getting around those 4 states, and a great deal of public speaking (something I enjoy, but have much more to learn about). This is a major deviation from what my career has been thus far, which has primarily focused on building software for clients, with budgets, timelines, and all of the other hurdles that generally stress me out.
I am really looking forward to this opportunity, and I think that this is the type of position that will offer me learning experiences on a daily basis. It's a great honor to have even been considered for this position by Microsoft, let alone awarded the job. My first day will be August 13.
This position was previously held by Drew Robbins, who has been an absolutely amazing asset to me and my team at Quick Solutions. He has left behind some enormous shoes to be filled, and I only hope I can succeed where his legacy left off. He has moved on to Redmond, where he will be the Technical Evangelist for the IIS7 team. I'm sure the world is in for a shakeup once he starts doing his magic.
So, in my travels though the "Heartland District," I hope I will have an opportunity to see many of you, if only for a beer.
Labels: developer evangelist, heartland district, microsoft