Welcome to Windows 8

The Topic:

Presenter Talbott Crowell (http://twitter.com/#%21/talbott/) will show how you can download and install Windows 8 preview to get a feel for what is coming up in the next release of Windows. The first part of the talk is appropriate for anyone interested in Windows 8, but the second part will dive deeper into software development of Windows 8 Metro style apps and how they differ significantly from desktop apps for Windows 7 and previous editions of Windows.

The talk will have an overview of the major changes in technologies from DOS to Windows to Mobile. This is a huge game changer because Windows 8 will be designed to run on desktops and on lightweight mobile devices. We will look at WinRT the new development platform for developing apps and how it compares with Win32 and .NET. Installing Visual Studio 2012 developer preview and writing a basic app.

Other topics include tips on getting the Windows 8 preview to be comfortable as a primary OS. Because Windows 8 is in “alpha” mode it lacks some key features you may be missing from Windows 7 such as the Start Programs menu. Talbott will show you how to add a start menu to the desktop and include a Shutdown link as well.

Bonus Raffle: One free annual plus subscription to Pluralsight (http://www.pluralsight-training.net/microsoft/) online training, a $499 value.

About Talbott Crowell:

Talbott is a Solution Architect for enterprise applications with a focus on Microsoft technologies such as SharePoint Server 2010 and MOSS 2007, Silverlight, BizTalk Server, and the .NET framework, Talbott and his company, ThirdM (http://thirdm.com/), deliver solutions and services to large and small companies including Fortune 500. Talbott also assists companies with the development process by using a blend of Agile and traditional methodologies, Team Foundation Server and Visual Studio Team System, Scrum, Test Driven Development, performance testing, and other proven tools and practices.

Boston Tech Event Schedule:

6:30 - 7:15: Free pizza and networking

Talking the Boston tech job market with experts from Workbridge Associates (http://www.workbridgeassociates.com/Results.aspx?LOC=Boston&CAT=&KEY=&utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=BostonTech) and Jobspring Partners (http://www.jobspringpartners.com/Results.aspx?LOC=Boston&CAT=&KEY=&utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=BostonTech)

7:16- 8:00: Talbott's Presentation on Welcome to Windows 8