Every year, Microsoft hosts the Microsoft MVP Summit. This is where Microsoft can have much more detailed discussions and demonstrations of what is happening in each area of expertise. Of course, this is also a chance to meet the people behind all those faceless emails one gets throughout the year.
First, we have Day 0. Why Day 0? The official Summit does not start until Tuesday, but that does not mean there was not something going on Monday. As in travel, for one thing.
When it comes to traveling, let’s just say I made it here. Flying is just not fun anymore…
On Monday, there were no official MS events. The only event that did occur was a mixer for SBS, EBS, and WHS MVP’s at the Rock Bottom Restaurant Brewery in Bellevue. This is sponsored by the MVP’s themselves. As a rookie, I get off scot-free. Next year will be a different story…
It was nice in that it was only 2 blocks away from my hotel. The event was fun stuff and it was great meeting some of the the fellow MVP’s that I (and you) read and that I have conversed with over the past year.
It was also great meeting some of the Microsoft people who have a direct interest in WHS. Yes, it may be their job, but they can’t hide their enthusiasm.
Finally, it was actually nice meeting the SBS guys that I really have little or no contact with. As well as all the other MVP’s throughout the week. The MVP Summit is an international event in the truest sense of the word.
The one common thread that I found in all these people associated with WHS, which is identical to what I find in the WGS forums and blog, is the enthusiasm and passion for a product: Windows Home Server. And this does not apply only to the the WHS/MS people, but also to many in the SBS group of MVPs. They have found a product that fills a void in the small business market.
Translation: I do not see WHS ever becoming an orphan product.
Tuesday finds us registering for the summit. We get our obligatory bag of goodies. MS bags-galore, our name tag, a 29 cent MS pen, a MS-MVP water bottle, and a really nice shirt. Sounds a bit like one of those sports camps I sent my kids to over the years. Thank God MS didn’t hand out basketballs!
Grey Lancaster, fellow WHS-MVP, is one of those guys who have been an MVP since before they had MVP’s. At least that is the way I understand it! Grey was able to arrange a tour of the Microsoft Home of the Future on the MS campus. A 1000(?) square foot “house” constructed literally right inside one the MS buildings! It was quite an interesting tour
and I suggest you take a peek at this webpage to get an idea of “What if”. If you ever get out here, MS does give tours… This is the kind of site to bookmark and come back to 5 years from now to see if any “What if”’s have become embedded in our life’s.
Tuesday afternoon, some optional general sessions took place. This was where I discovered that MVP’s can be *almost* as cantankerous as anyone else to the MS management teams.
Tuesday evening, an event for all 1400 or so MVPs was given for us at the very hotel I was staying. All in one of the ballrooms at the Hyatt in Bellevue. This might give you an idea of the size of this hotel…
On Wednesday, we had a full day of meetings focused on our “area of expertise”. What did Microsoft talk about? Well, let me put it this way. At the beginning of each session, they would flash this sign across the screen with 3 BIG letters:
NDA
Need I say more? I am sorry and apologize that those 3 letters put a wrench in the works, but that is life. Here or anywhere.
I asked my (your) questions. I soon figured out that Microsoft must require a full day of training for new employees on how to avoid answering questions.
About the only thing I can say is that you *may* start seeing some activity/communication with the public from MS perhaps sooner than later. No, not tomorrow! And when is “soon”er? I wish I could be more specific and you must remember, “soon”er to MS can be from 1 day to 1 year! Or longer. As you can guess, they do have “How not to answer questions.” orientation sessions for MVPs also!
Soon…
Wednesday night, we had a MS/HP sponsored product group get-together at Parlor Billiards & Spirits, which is right across from the my hotel. One thing that MS has been good at this week is not only making sure we are well fed during the day as well as keeping us fed and entertained at night..
Speaking of hotel (and trivia), there are actually hotels in the US that do have a 13th floor. The Hyatt in Bellevue is one of them, and it happed to be the floor I stayed on. I will leave it to you to figure out why there is a 13th floor.
Right now, it is Thursday morning and the one thing that everyone seems happy about is that we have been able to log onto our computers on the Microsoft campus and get *instant* Internet access. Yesterday was painful. Why there is a network saturation problem on one day and not the other is beyond my comprehension.
OK, I forgot. This *is* Microsoft we are talking about.
After being on the Microsoft campus, I now understand why they call it a campus. One does feel like you are entering a very large university campus. One with a “real” transportation system.
Moving on to a few hours later, today has been quite interesting, and I really wish I could go into detail. If MS can deliver on what they have shown us today (and yesterday), I really think you will find some compelling reasons to upgrade. Once Vail is *officially* released to the wild.
Please note that the upgrade path may mean many things to many people. If you have a self-built, we will all have to wait to see how the upgrade path works. If you have an OEM machine and wish to know your upgrade options, this will be up to your OEM. *My* translation: good luck!
Thursday’s sessions are starting to run down and they are focusing on a few areas that do not interest me as much as some of the earlier ones. Besides, it wouldn’t matter to you. Remember those 3 letters I mentioned earlier? I really am sorry! It was time for me to make sure I lined up my transportation back to the airport on Friday anyway. I used to remember things like free shuttle service, free snacks on airplanes, and free transport of your checked luggage. I know, that was a generation ago…
Thursday evening, Microsoft bussed us all down to the Garage Billiards & Bowl in downtown Seattle.
Dang, they have big places in the Seattle area to handle BIG crowds! The above right picture is of just one area inside.
It is now Friday, and I am thinking more about the long day ahead than MVP stuff. I was able to get to a few morning keynotes. The first discussed the state of Bing, which Microsoft was quite happy about. They know they have a long way to go to compete head-to-head with Google, but they feel that have a solid start.
The next keynote contained a myriad of office/communication/collaborative stuff from the the business side of Microsoft. Quite interesting actually; especially the video they showed toward the end on how MS perceived computing sometime in the future. Think NCIS Los Angeles. Think of those futuristic computer screens that Tim “McGeek” McGee wants to have back on the east coast. Think of that technology being ancient history. Starting to get the picture?
The process to turn all that “what if” into reality will be quite an interesting journey.
After that, it was time to check out, leave that 55-60°F crystal-blue clear sky weather and return to Iowa and threats of reroutes to the Moline airport due to snow. I really do want to get back home, though. Even if it is snowing. Especially since it is about 1:00 AM in the morning. Our chocolate lab was quite excited to see me after a week! I don’t understand however; she was the only one who got up to greet me…
So, that was the MVP Summit. Long on documenting the entertainment stuff and short on the substance of what I can pass on to you from MS. Guess that shows me up as a naive newbie!
Better luck next year on that info…
