Second Life Heroes Launch Event Tomorrow

I regret not giving this event more coverage on my blog, but late is better than never (right?). Tomorrow, Saturday, April 26th, in the vast realms of Second Life, Microsoft and the Second Life .NET User Group are putting on a virtual Heroes Launch. You may have seen Heroes Happen Here Launch events in the "real world" over the last few months. They are being organized all over the globe to help get people introduced Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008. And now they're even being organized "out of this world" and in the virtual realms of Second Life.

All of the action will kick-off tomorrow at 9:00 AM SLT (Second Life Time = PST) and run 'til about 5:00 PM. To join the fun, all you need to do is make sure you've downloaded and installed Second Life (it's free), created a goofy avatar (as in silly, not the Disney character...though I guess you could do that, too), and then transport on over to the new Microsoft User Group Island. It really couldn't be easier and it is a great way to get involved in the launch events if you've been unable to attend one in RL (real life, for uninitiated).

For a complete and detailed schedule of tomorrow's events, visit the Second Life DNUG website. It looks just like a real world conference schedule- the only difference is you can attend this one in your PJs. So get everything setup tonight and then come on out to the event tomorrow! If nothing else, I'll be at the event for a while and would love to meet you- look for the very normal avatar sporting the Telerik t-shirt and going by the name Bluelaser Hax.

Global Launch Wave starts today, "Dynamic IT" is the theme (update)

Did you forget? Today is the official beginning to the much hyped Microsoft Global Launch Wave designed to "introduce" the world to Visual Studio 2008, Windows Server 2008, and SQL Server 2008. As I type this post, Mr. Ballmer is blaring on my laptop speakers via the live web cast coverage of his West Coast keynote, doing his best to put a good face on the "2008 brand" products. There is not really much new being shared- at least not yet- and even Ballmer acknowledged during his prepared remarks that the Internet has changed the nature of product launch keynotes since so much is known before products are "officially" introduced.

To be completely honest, it is a little hard to focus on writing this post with his presentation running in the background, so I apologize if the writing is a little disjoint. For now, I'll watch the remainder of the keynote and update this post if any new or exciting details are shared. If you hurry, you can catch the last 30 minutes of the live web cast, too, and enjoy some Ballmer antics today. Yay...

UPDATE: The keynote is over and, as expected, there is not much new to report. What I am excited to mention, though, is that Telerik's Silverlight controls were in the Ballmer keynote! I won't say where, for now, but after MIX next week I'll share the full story. Until then, you'll have to try to figure it out on your own...sorry.