What’s FEST07 all about?
It’s all about “Into The Future …”. We’ll start the day in the present, looking at Vista, and then we’ll jump forward a few months to take a look at LINQ, a great and innovative new technology from Microsoft. We jump ahead further in the afternoon, a year or so, with a look at how Dynamic Languages such as Iron Python are being brought into the .NET world, and finally we’ll end up seeing how the home of the future might look in a few years time …

We’ll end the day with one of NxtGenUG’s renowned ‘game show’ sessions where the differences between learning, fun, ‘swag’ and chaos become somewhat blurred …

It’s also about taking time out to get our heads above the parapet, get away for a day, learn some different stuff, smell the roses, eat some pizza, get some ‘swag’ and meet some friendly, like-minded people at a great venue.

Check out our full agenda at http://www.nxtgenug.net/Fest07/Agenda.aspx

Who is speaking and what are they speaking about?
We have the TOP TechEd Speaker Rafal Lukawiecki who will be talking on Vista Security and other things, our own Mike Taulty and Daniel Moth of Microsoft UK DPE Group speaking on LINQ, Oliver Sturm of DevExpress speaking on Dynamic Languages in .NET and finally, we’re very pleased to have Lorna Brown of Microsoft Research speaking on ‘New Concepts for the Home’. Full details about the speakers are at http://www.nxtgenug.net/Fest07/Speakers.aspx

When is FEST07?
Wednesday 23rd May 2007 starting at 08:30 going through to 17:45.

Where is FEST 07?
Building 3, Microsoft Campus, Thames Valley Park, Reading, Berkshire RG6 1WG.

Check out http://local.live.com for a view of the location at :

http://local.live.com/?v=2&sp=Point.sk9730gxpm4d_Microsoft%20Building%203___

How do I register for this event?
Go to http://www.nxtgenug.net/Fest07/default.aspx , click on Login/Register and complete the registration, you will then see a link to register for the event. Any difficulties contact enquiries@nxtgenug.net . We’d like to say that one of our good looking events staff will answer, however Rich doesn’t fall into that category. But he’ll help you anyway, so will Dave and John.

I’m already a NxtGenUG Member, how much is FEST07!
It’s a FREE event to all fully paid up NxtGenUG members including if you are part of a corporate sponsorship. If you are unsure if you are part of a corporate membership, contact enquiries@nxtgenug.net

I’m registered on the NxtGenUG site, but not a paid -up member, how much is it?
If you move quickly and pay online now, it’s only £54.99! This early-bird ends on 31st March 2007!

Can I Join NxtGenUG as a member now and attend FEST07 and all the other NxtGenUG events too?
Sure, some people have already done that! http://www.nxtgenug.net/WhyJoin.aspx

Look forward to seeing you at FEST07!

Technorati Tags: NxtGenUG, Fest07, Community, Developer Event

Event Overview
Windows Vista provides the most secure and reliable operating system ever that will have a positive impact on developers. Come along and see how Windows CardSpace provides federated identity management. We will also show you how to build applications that take advantage of User Access Account Control and best practices for building least-privilege applications. If you are interested in developing on Windows Vista then this session is essential for you.

When
06 March 2007 18:30 – 21:20
Welcome Time: 18:00

Where
Microsoft Edinburgh
127 George Street
Edinburgh EH2 4JN
United Kingdom

Sign-up and an agenda can be found here:
https://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-GB&eventid=1032326093

There’s a similar event in Glasgow on 03 April 2007, more details can be found here.

Technorati Tags: security, Vista, Edinburgh, Martin Parry, DPE

Event Overview
In this session, we will discuss many of the innovative design philosophies and development strategies involved in making Windows Vista the most secure Windows operating system to date. One way that this security has been achieved is through service hardening. This means that most services run with low privilege to minimize resource access. Vista introduces several user-level security features within the Windows interface as well as additional enhancements to Internet Explorer including anti-spyware and anti-phishing capabilities. The Windows Firewall has also undergone significant improvements, including enhanced UI functionality, inbound and outbound filtering, filtering by application, and full support for IPv6. We’ll also talk about some of the other security enhancements available in Windows Vista, such as BitLocker, data protection, and improved smartcard support.

When
03 April 2007 09:45 – 12:30
Welcome Time: 09:00

Where
Strathclyde University
Collins Building
22 Richmond Street Glasgow G1 1XQ
United Kingdom

Sign-up and further information can be found here:
https://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032327539&Culture=en-GB

A similar event is being held in Edinburgh on the 06 March 2007 in the evening, more details here.

Technorati Tags: security, Vista, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Stephen Lamb, DPE

Agile Washes Whiter
Wednesday 28th February 2007, 6:30 pm
Speaker: Brian Swan, Exoftware
Venue: The Royal Scots Club Hepburn Suite, 30 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh
EH3 6QE

“Agile” is quickly becoming the hot buzz-phrase in many organisations but Agile is simply an umbrella term for a number of specific development methods including; eXtreme Programming (XP), SCRUM, Feature Driven Development, DSDM and Crystal. What does it mean to “Be Agile”?

This talk will compare a number of the Agile methods and identify some common strategies and pitfalls when adopting an Agile method.

Booking required – please register here: www.exoftware.com/events/47

More details: http://www.edinburgh.bcs.org/events/070228.htm

Technorati Tags: BCS, Agile, Scrum, Brian Swan, exoftware, FDD, DSDM, Crystal