This is short notice posting this, but sign up if you are intested. Its sounds really cool. We were told that space is limited, but it looks like there is still space available.

Microsoft is holding a 2 part all day event on Windows Phone 7 development on Tuesday, 24 Aug 2010.

9AM - 5PM: Windows Phone 7 Firestarter

Presentations and Lectures all day. Lunch is included.

6PM - 9PM: Windows Phone Garage

Hands on workshop featureing one on one proctoring.

If you can't make it to both parts, you are encouraged to sign up for the half you can make it to.

You can find more info here: http://www.msdnevents.com/firestarter/

Sign up for the Firestarter Event here: https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032456589&Culture=en-US

Sign up for the Garage Event here: https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032456649&Culture=en-US

There is a carpool leaving from the SPINEN office at 7AM if anyone wants to ride up together. The SPINEN address is 125 Plantation Centre DR S, Macon, GA.

We are pleased to announce that our next speaker will be local Mercer graduate and IBM expert, Matt Trevathan.

Matt will be speaking about about Mobile Applications.

[UPDATE: 12 Apr 2010]

Matt had to cancel because of a recent family issue. We wish Matt our best and hope he can come back another time.

As an alternative Kyle, Dave, and I will be discussing VS2010 and watching one of the videos from MIX2010.

Visual Studio 2010 launched today (Monday) and we will be dicussing some of the newness.

Pizza and Snacks!

Please come out on Tuesday, 13 April 2010 at 7PM.

Our meeting location is the Mercer University Bear Rock Cafe.

We will also have a raffle for a Telerik UI Component Bundle, which is an awsome giveaway as well as a selection of books.

Snacks will be provided.

Also, on a side note the Visual Studio 2010 Launch is coming to Atlanta on 20 May 2010.

If you wish to sign up the URL is https://microsoft.crgevents.com/Register2010/Content/Event_Selection.aspx

We'll be listening to Chad Brooks (http://blogs.msdn.com/chabrook/) present: 

Silverlight 4 - Take a tour of the new features in Silverlight 4 including a dive into some of the new ready for business features like printing, rich text support, and expanded databinding support. Also hear about exciting Silverlight additions to the media stack, and get an introduction to the Silverlight 4 elevated trust out of browser model.

[UPDATE: Zack]

Meet up around 7 PM and the presentation should start around 7:15 PM.

Meeting is at the Bear Rock Cafe- Mercer Univ.

I want to thank David Washington for coming out and speaking to the group. He's provided the content from the talk and I've hopefully attached it to the blog properly. 

presentationandcode.zip (1,017.71 kb)

We have some events coming up in December.

First, on Monday, 7 December is the Atlanta area User Groups Holliday party. There will be food, xbox gameing, etc. Party is from 6:30PM to 9PM at the Microsoft Office. Registeration and directions are here. The details show after you register. Please bring a Toys for Tots. If you want to ride with someone else, carpool leaves my office around 5PM. Email me for the address using the Contact link above or reply to one of the user group emails.

If you have any trouble with the link, go to http://www.clicktoattend.com/ and enter event id 138493

The ATL Holiday party is a lot of fun and gives you a chance to network a little.

Second, on Tuesday, 8 December is the MSDN Events Presents: The Southern Fried Roadshow, Fall 2009 Tour. Click to Register.

Third, on Friday, 11 December is the Elite Web Optimization Event.

And Last but not least, on Monday, 14 December is our next user group meeting with a presentation and Q and A by our own David Washington. The topic is:

SQL Server 2008 - Visualizing Spatial Data in Reporting Services

For anyone who doesn't know, Spatial Data is exactly like what it sounds like; x and y or latitude and longitude data. This sounds like a really neat topic and I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Our guest will be David Washington and he will present: SQL Server 2008 - Visualizing Spatial Data in Reporting Services

[UPDATE 26 Oct 2009]

Dave Cameron is hosting a Windows 7 Launch party. He sent an invite to everyone on the mailing list. If you would like to come and you didn't get an invite, use the contact form or the comments section to let us know.

 We are excited about Windows 7 and besides it is an excuse to have a party.

Dave's Macon Windows 7 Launch Party

Also, if you do want to come but you don't want to create an account on the 'House Party' site, just send us a note on the contact form or comments section so Dave knows how many people are coming. I agree that having to setup an account to RSVP is annoying.

I'm looking for people who want to compare Windows 7 to their existing OS's (MS or not, old or new).

There will be open wireless access for the night of the party.

The next meeting is scheduled for 15 June 2009 at 7 PM at the Bear Rock Cafe. [Bear Rock Cafe Directions]

This month we will have two short presentations by Kyle Kelly and myself (Zack Moore).

Kyle’s presentation will cover TSQL Tips and Tricks.

Flexible T-SQL: How to Bend T-SQL to Overcome Everyday Programming Obstacles

Using OpenXML as a substitute for passing arrays to stored procedures, using Partition Over and Row_Number to narrow down queries, and using BitWise operators to make fast, flexible queries.

Kyle maintains a blog at http://www.damba.net/

My presentation will be on log4net.

log4net: Adding runtime configurable logging to your applications

log4net is a free open source logging component that was originally ported from a java project. What makes log4net so useful is the ability to configure your logging at runtime and not at design or compile time. Developers can route their logging to multiple destinations including but not limited to the text files, the Windows Event log, a database, email, and a Syslog server.

Pizza and snacks will be provided. Bring your friends.

[UPDATE 12 Jun 2009]

Apex Systems will donate a copy of Pro ASP.NET MVC Framework for the raffle at the end. If you are interested in MVC, this is a pretty good book.

Apex Systems is a technical recruiter. Scott from Apex will be there to give the book to the raffle winner so if you know anyone who might be interested in a new job, Scott is the person to talk to.