11/19/2012I've been a Microsoft Regional Director for 18 years now and this year our reporting of activity took the form of a less than 500 word narrative. Here is mine with Company names removed. Training Events
I was involved in 37 organized training events with topics ranging from Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, Visual Studio and Team Foundation Server 2010/2012 to Private/Public Cloud Implementations using Windows Azure and System Center Manager. Microsoft sponsored events include the SQL Server 2012 Train the Trainers that took place in Redmond, SQL Connections in Las Vegas, Prague and Singapore http://bit.ly/VlnY87, 2 Microsoft Developer Experiences (MDE), Train the Trainer for both Windows 8 Development and Design and Windows Azure Spring Release.
Customer wins
I was involved with two big customer wins related to Visual Studio and Team Foundation Server (TFS) with a large South Florida County and with a Fortune 500 Financial Enterprise. With the first client, I was involved in a shoot-out between TFS and IBM Rational Team Concert (RTC) with TFS being selected. The client specifically credited the MDE that we delivered to them as a deciding factor in choosing TFS over RTC. Our relationship with the other client since 1996 was a key factor cited by the CTO in them going with Software Assurance and purchasing Visual Studio Ultimate licenses.
Community
I’m the founder of the Gold Coast Users Group that is celebrating 20 years of Community interaction this year. Spoke or coordinated 16 events for Gold Coast Users Group, Miami Users Group, Florida DotNet, Palm Beach DotNet Users Group, South Florida IT Camp and Southwest Florida CodeCamp.
ACT, Blogging and Webcasts
Participated in the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) Fly-in with an emphasis on making Legislators aware of the issues relating to Government’s role in allocating bandwidth spectrum. I am an ACT member since their origination in 1998 as a result of the Government’s Anti-Trust suit against Microsoft. Multiple blog posts throughout the year on Microsoft technologies. I’m currently performing a Channel 9 Webcast series on Windows Azure VM and Virtual Network for IT Time Radio.
Regional Director
I’m celebrating my 18th year as a Regional Director, the only remaining founding member. I am looking forward to the RD get together as I attend the Build conference. I am proud to be a resource for a historical perspective on the program.
Microsoft Partner
My Company, Homnick Systems International (HSI) offers technology training, mentoring and consulting; practicing as one of the most established Microsoft Gold Certified Partners in the world dating back to the beginning of the program in 1993. HSI currently holds a Microsoft Partner Gold Competency in Application Lifecycle Management and Silver Competencies in Virtualization, Business Intelligence, Software Development, and Portals and Collaboration. HSI is also an Azure Circle Partner.
11/2/2012
BUILD 2012 conference held on the Microsoft Campus in Redmond this year rocked. It was four days of a small select group of participants feeling the Windows 8 and Azure love.
Day 1 Steve Ballmer keynote was great. Steve was really on point espousing Windows 8 on devices from an 82” Display to the Surface device all the way down to Windows 8 Phone. I was really impressed with the capability to develop for one device factor and then be able to deploy across the whole line of impressive devices available for Windows 8. Rating this Ballmer keynote best ever and I’ve seen a whole bunch of them!
Day 2 keynote saw impressive performances by Scott Guthrie and Scott Hanselman on Windows Azure Websites and Media Services.
A lot of buzz around the conference SWAG which included:
1.Surface RT 32gb with Touch Cover. Engineering design on the device is ingenious with the Touch Cover, size, Touch and other input support and installed Office 2013. I’m still looking forward to the Pro version so I could also use Visual Studio on it, however, the ARM based RT version along with Remote Desktop app gets me 90% of what I need.
2.Windows 8 Phone Nokia Lumia 920 with a very impressive display and Windows 8 implementation. Tried to put in my ATT sim from my Lumia 900, however, could only get voice, no data. Maybe in a couple of weeks it will be my main phone.
3.100 gbs of Skydrive storage. Supposedly a lifetime allocation, shows up in my subscription as “Enthusiast 100 Gbs” with no charge.
Here’s a pic of the goodies:  6/18/2012Ever since my time in D.C. last month with the ACT fly-in, I’ve been thinking more and more about America’s spectrum crunch.
Spectrum, as it relates to Mobile Broadband, are the bands or frequencies that are available for broadcast, as of this writing Government Agencies and Media Organizations account for approximately 85% of this Spectrum. As mobile broadband increases in use consumers are eperiencing this disproportional allocation as dropped calls in populated areas, or the inability to connect to wireless internet in some places (you know what I’m talking about if you’ve ever tried to send an email or use an app at a sporting event, concert, or other large event like I did last night at the Heat game).
But the problem is so much bigger than that. Mobile broadband is supposed to increase to 35x the current levels in the next few years. Think of the implications for businesses who are buying mobile devices and tablets for their employees in the field—everyone from your A/C repairman to home health care workers. Businesses won’t be as forgiving about lack of connectivity, and innovation will lag.
Right now the federal government is the biggest spectrum holder, with 60% of available spectrum belonging to them. Freeing up some of that would be great, but that could be a cumbersome and slow process. The federal government has another important role: the FCC has approval over deals, purchases, and auctions of spectrum, and they need to get that spectrum into the hands of companies with the ability to continue investing in their wireless networks. When a company like Verizon want to purchase wireless spectrum from other industries and build it out, that action should be approved quickly. The continued growth of mobile data traffic depends on it.
Our industry is on the cusp of some truly life-changing and life-saving innovations, and we need cooperation from government and industries in order to roll them out.
5/3/2012
For the fourth year, I am traveling to Washington on Monday to meet with my elected officials and others in the nation’s capital to educate them about the app industry. I want them to make the right decisions about our future so I’ll be meeting up with other app developers to participate in the Association for Competitive Technology Fly-In. Over 40 developers from around the country will join together to make our case to Washington.
Our message is simple. The pace of innovation and growth that is taking place right now in the app economy is remarkable. I'm part of a brand new marketplace that didn't exist four years ago, but is now a $20 billion industry. And our mobile app economy is primarily comprised of small businesses – even the most successful ones.
The photo app Instagram has only twelve employees and it was just acquired by Facebook for $1 billion. There are many other Instagrams out there waiting to succeed, but in order for the app economy to continue to grow we need more spectrum to meet the rising demand for mobile connectivity. Additionally, developers need make sure their apps aren’t stolen or copied in foreign app stores.
And the big issue that is on everyone’s mind is privacy. We need to make sure we get privacy right so that users are secure in sharing what they are comfortable with in a way that doesn’t undermine the internet economy. Many of us are working to find a solution and are looking forward to sharing our progress with lawmakers and other developers.
These are all important issues that the federal government is facing. The outcomes really matter to me which is why I’m making sure my voice is heard. Hopefully, an informed Congress will help developers like me continue to flourish.
4/4/2012Big Data is the management of large/huge datasets and has become a hot topic in IT circles over the last couple of years. As we see the proliferation of data through Social Media, Internet websites and years of Enterprise data bulge; a new method of managing and querying this Big Data is emerging. Unlike the traditional relational database approach of transactional processing, this new approach is being characterized as interactional with extensive use of unstructured data.
Microsoft is entering the Big Data foray with Hadoop on Windows Azure and Server 8. Apache Hadoop is a software framework that supports data-intensive distributed applications under a free license. Microsoft is embracing this standard community driven approach with support and tools in both its Cloud and Server 8 software.
The Microsoft Business Intelligence, Data Management stack, along with Active Directory security are leaders in the industry. With Hadoop on Windows Azure, Distributed File System improvements in Windows Server 8 and a project code named “Isotope” this extensive tool set is being implemented to deliver a solid user experience in this new largely unstructured world.
I will be delivering sessions to the Florida Users Group Community on Hadoop on Windows Azure and Server 8 over the next few months, be sure to check http://GCUsersGroup.org if you are interested in attending. For further information on Big Data, check out my fellow Regional Director and friend Andrew Brust, who is running a series of Big Data blog posts at http://www.zdnet.com/blog/big-data. 2/5/2012
Microsoft has announced the SQL Server 2012 launch will be March 7, 2012. This latest version promises mission critical confidence, blazing fast performance, stunning interactive data visualizations, Cloud on your own terms and Business Intelligence (BI) for everyone/anywhere. You’ll be learning about capabilities such as “AlwaysOn”, "Columnstore Indexes", "Distributed Replay", "Storing and Querying Documents", "StreamInsight", "Master Data Services", "Data Quality Services", "BI Semantic Model" and "Power View".
I will be teaching on SQL Server 2012 over the next few months in the following areas.
Homnick Systems “Hands On Seminars” with the first one taking place on February 15, 2012. Two days Instructor Led Hands-On Training that is truly the most cost effective/efficient way to begin your SQL Server 2012 learning experience.
I have been selected by Microsoft to deliver SQL Server 2012 training events around the world feeding my wanderlust along with my love teaching technology. I’ll be involved with three Train The Trainer (TTT) events and a SQL Connections Pre-conference workshop on the following dates:
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Date / Location |
Description |
Registration Inquiries |
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28-Feb-2012
(3 Days)
Redmond, WA, USA |
SQL Server 2012 Update For Developers (Train-the-Trainer)
This delivery is for Microsoft training partners who have been nominated by their respective Microsoft subsidiaries. |
Private - invitation only
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25-Mar-2012
(2 Days)
Las Vegas, NV, USA
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SQL Server 2012 Update For Developers (SQL Connections Workshop) This is only public delivery of the workshop by the Data Platform Evangelism team. It will be delivered as a pre-conference workshop at SQL Connections . |
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17-Apr-2012
(3 Days)
Prauge, Czech Republic
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SQL Server 2012 Update For Developers (Train-the-Trainer)
This delivery is for Microsoft training partners who have been nominated by their respective Microsoft subsidiaries. |
Private - invitation only
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24-Apr-2012
(3 Days)
Singapore
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SQL Server 2012 Update For Developers (Train-the-Trainer)
This delivery is for Microsoft training partners who have been nominated by their respective Microsoft subsidiaries. |
Private - invitation only
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Check out Roger Doherty’s SQL 2012 Cook Book at http://bit.ly/sql2012cookbook for more information on SQL Server 2012 Microsoft Training materials/events.
I’ll also be doing a series of Florida Users Groups talks on SQL Server 2012 starting with the Gold Coast Users Group on February 9, 2012. Sign up at the UG website and you will be notified of meetings across the state of Florida. If you want an event in your area, just let me know.
1/24/2012
Homnick Systems (HSI) has been designated by Microsoft as a Gold Partner in Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) for 2012 along with competencies for Software Development, Business Intelligence, Portals/Collaboration (SharePoint) and Cloud Essentials. These designations highlight the business focus that we are giving to a mixture of software development and architecture in our practice delivery areas of consulting, mentoring and training. This next year will see the launch of SQL Server 2012, Visual Studio 11 and Windows 8 (both Server and Client) and HSI looks forward to another great year of helping enterprises to extend productivity in the workplace with these new and also existing Microsoft products. Below are our new Microsoft Partner logo and a brief description of the practice competency areas. The public facing Microsoft Partner website showing our competencies can be found at http://bit.ly/HSPartner. 
The Microsoft Application Lifecycle Management competency demonstrates expertise in providing training and consultation for or deploying Microsoft Visual Studio development system software, including Microsoft Visual Studio Ultimate, Team Foundation Server, Test and Lab Manager.
The Microsoft Software Development competency demonstrates expertise at developing solutions that leverage the Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 development system to create the best path from customer ideas to business impact.
The Microsoft Business Intelligence (BI) competency demonstrates expertise in implementing business processes used in identifying, extracting and analyzing business data for the purpose of supporting better business decision-making. Business Intelligence (BI) continues to be a top spending priority for chief information officers (CIOs), making accurate BI an increasingly crucial factor in developing an effective business strategy.
The Microsoft Portals and Collaboration competency demonstrates expertise at implementing solutions that leverage Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010. In the same way that collaboration is central to business productivity, portals and collaboration solutions have become a tremendous engine for business productivity and efficiency.
The Microsoft Cloud Essentials designation encompasses developing and implementing Cloud Based solutions for the Windows Azure and SQL Azure Cloud Platform and the Office 365 Software as a Service offering. 9/14/2011
Microsoft handed out Windows 8 Samsung Slate 700T devices to 5000 of the developers attending the BUILD Windows Conference this week. Below is a picture of the one I received.
Really cool thing about the Windows 8 approach is that there is a new Metro Natural User Interface optimized for inputs like touch, pen, and we will see what else, however it can be easily converted to a powerful desktop device with all the inputs you know and love, like keyboard, mouse, usb devices, etc. It allows for a consumption based slate that can be turned into a professional developer machine for production purposes. For the developer you can write applications, test them and use the device in day to day work.
I will be using this machine in my presentations on Windows 8 in the coming months with the first one taking place at the Fort Lauderdale, Florida office on September 22, 2011. Check out http://GCUsersGroup.org for more presentations.
Here are the specifications of the machine:
Hardware
- 2nd Generation Intel Core i5
- Samsung Super PLS 1366X768 display
- AT&T 3G included (1yr, 2GB/month)
- UEFI BIOS
- 4GB DDR3
- 64GB SSD
- Sensors, USB, micros SD, HDML, Pen
- Dock w/USB, HDMI, Ethernet
- 11.6” diagonal, 909g, 12.9mm
Software
- Tablet + Development Platform
- Developer Preview Software with Developer Preview Hardware
- Ability to “use” and “develop” on the same platform
- Imaged with Developer Preview
Applications
Tools
Recovery Environment
6/12/2011
Windows 8 was recently announced and previewed and it looks awesome! The Build Windows conference taking place in Anaheim September 9-13 is centered on Windows 8, HTML5, Javascript and C++. Check out the links below for some great preview information.
It certainly looks like a new paradigm is emerging for software development on Windows.
I believe C++ is a great language to build massively parallel programs, take a look at Compositional C++ (ok, I’m a little biased towards CalTech since daughter and new son-in-law are grads :-)).
Additionally, I do not see why HTML5 couldn’t be tooled to program Natural User Interfaces as well as any other presentation layer markup paradigm.
Throw in the familiarity and acceptance HTML/JS/C++ already have and you’ve got your perfect combination to tackle the future….
Getting pretty excited to see what comes out of Build and what actually gets done the few months after that. I’m getting the same feeling as when we transformed from DNA to .Net.
The thing that really impressed me in the unveiling of .Net was that Microsoft made sure not to simply abandon existing developer investments as they unveiled new developer opportunities. I am absolutely sure that this same developer support will be true into the future.
Reminds me of the R.E.M. song from the 80’s, “It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”. 6/6/2011
Over the last six years I have been working on methods to deliver Instructor Led Hands-On Training in an Agile manner. Instructor-Led Training is the process of education in which a live Instructor leads an interactive class of attendees in learning (in our case) complex computer software systems. It is characterized by the following:
1. Instructor delivering concepts through PowerPoint slides.
2. Instructor only demos (step by step examples of the complex system) .
3. Instructor led activities (demos that the students follow along with the instructor on their own computers).
4. The whole experience is completed with the students going through hands-on labs on their own with the instructor available for assistance.
This is absolutely the best way to learn new complex software. Once the original concepts are cemented, the details can be augmented through online methods. If you want to get the most out of your online training budget, it is best to start out a particular software learning regimen with Instructor-Led training.
The drawback to delivering this Instructor-Led Training is that it traditionally required a classroom with computers at a fixed location; so that travel to the classroom was required and the training company incurred the cost of maintaining a physical plant, which added to the cost charged for the class. With an Agile Classroom these impediments to delivering Instructor-Led training can be overcome.
The basic three requirements for this Agile Classroom are as follows:
1. Well lit room set up in classroom style (chairs and tables) with surge protected power outlets for attendee computers
2. A reliable Internet connection for Cloud based or Remote Desktop Deliveries.
3. Overhead projector
So company, hotel or airport conference rooms can be used for this Agile Classroom. This opens a whole new flexibility and cost savings in delivering Instructor-Led training.
The attendee brings their own computer that meets minimum specs to run a Virtual Machine. These are Windows XP+, 2gb of physical memory, available USB port and Remote Desktop Connection. There is added benefit in that the attendee leaves with the content ready for them to continue their studies.
Look to the Agile Classroom to deliver Instructor-Led complex computer software training in the future.
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