For those of you that attended my talk at TechReady 11 or at Dallas TechFest 2010, here is the sample application I built along with my code snippets and my demo script.  I’ll be working on a Hands-on-Lab version of this talk, as well as producing a video the talk, but that will have to come later.  Keep tabs on this post as I’ll be updating it with these new bits as soon as I get them developed.

(2010-07-30) Dallas TechFest.zip

Are you ready to gain access to the latest tools, turning your hobby into a source of revenue, or expand your network?

Stop dreaming. Start building. Join us for a new series of Windows Phone 7 Bootcamps where you can get an inside track on how to be part of the next step of Microsoft’s mobile strategy and get hands-on training for building Silverlight-based applications.  These free, live learning sessions explore the latest tools, discuss tips and technologies, and provide access to Windows Phone 7 experts.

ATTEND these special events and learn about:

• the Windows Phone 7 platform
• building Silverlight Applications for Windows Phone 7
• submitting your application to the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace

Take advantage of this opportunity to explore with a Hands-on Lab where you can leverage the Windows Phone 7 Experts and your peers as you build your Windows Phone 7 Application.

Events run from 8am–5pm

Seating for the live event is limited, so register today.

We’re only 2 weeks away from the 3rd annual Dallas TechFest!  The schedule is set, the bags are being packed and the speakers (including me!) are polishing up their talks.  Dallas TechFest has something to offer everyone, regardless of your particular chosen (or favorite) programming Languages:

This year’s schedule features well-known and local speakers from across 6 different communities including .NET, Java, PHP, Adobe, ColdFusion, Apple and IT Pro.  Registration is normally $50, but if you use the code “dotnet” you can get a $25 discount!  Make sure you sign up today as space is filling up quickly!

As an added bonus, everyone will receive a lunch, free Wi-Fi and a bag full of goodies from all of our sponsors!  I hope to see you there!

I had a great time over the weekend teaching and working with folks from all over South Central at our first ever Silverlightpalooza!  This two-day event was a combination instructor-led introduction to Silverlight, WP7, Blend and RIA Services and hands-on instructor-led-labs + code-a-thon.  Space was limited to 50 people to make sure we had enough mentors at the event to help people during their coding time with any question they had or to help them work through any issues that came up. My job was to give a Silverlight Development 101 session and help proctor the labs for 50 very excited attendees. Most had little to no Silverlight or WP7 development experience, so they were really starting from scratch when it came to XAML, Blend, Data Binding, etc.

At the end of the 2 days, there were several very interesting projects made during the weekend, including a live-camera feed WP7 application for horse shows, the beginnings of a Silverlight 4-powered tank game, and a WP7 controller for a Roovio Robot!  All in all, the projects were very well done considering the amount of time folks had to work on them, and all said that they were committed to completing their applications as soon as possible.

Everyone in attendance agreed that the weekend went off without a hitch – the instructors and mentors were well prepared, the attendees were excited, the food was great and the time was a total blast!  Teresa Burger did an amazing job of getting everything organized, as well as showing us all a thing or two about how truly powerful Expression Blend has become.

I can’t wait for the next one!

For more information about Silverlightpalooza, check out the web site at http://silverlightpalooza.dynamitesilverlight.com/. Teresa has added some posts on the individual development projects, and (hopefully soon) some pictures – or links to pictures – from the event.

Dallas TechFest is back and will be occurring at the University of Texas at Dallas this year!  Look forward to another day of phenomenal education by some of the best speakers from around.  As in years past we will be having sessions on a wide variety of technologies including:

• Microsoft .NET
• Java
• ColdFusion
• Flex
• PHP

Your conference ticket will include:

• Access to all general sessions
• Lunch & Snacks throughout the day
• Attendee bag with information and software from our sponsors

What Sessions are available you ask?  DallasTechFest.com has all the details!

Those of you following this blog can get a $25 discount by registering with the discount code DOTNET.  Register today because that Early Bird ticket expires on July 1st, so if you want to attend for only $25, now is the time to register…

Update to BarCamp Dallas – we’re moving the date to August 21st, 2010 at Improving Enterprises.  Please update your calendars to make sure you can attend!

Also make sure you update the BarCamp wiki at http://barcamp.org/BarCampDallas5 to show that you’re attending!

Join Neudesic for a free 1-day deep dive program that will prepare you to deliver solutions on the Windows Azure Platform. The region’s best Azure experts will teach you how to work in the cloud through training, discussion, review of real scenarios, and hands on labs. Snacks and drinks will be provided; however, we advise you to make your own lunch arrangements prior to the event. You will also need to bring a computer loaded with the software listed below.

For more information please visit www.azurebootcamp.com, or email us at info@azurebootcamp.com
What you need to bring:
During the boot camp you will have opportunities to practice what you learn with labs. Having all of your software ready will be necessary to dive into the hands-on experience. The lab files package will be given to you during the event. If you want to have everything loaded into a virtual PC, that would be even better
In order to run these labs you will need to bring:

• Lunch
• Power strip or extension cord
• A computer or laptop:
  • Operating Systems Supported: Windows 7; Windows Server 2008; Windows Server 2008 R2; Windows Vista Service Pack 1; Windows Vista Service Pack 2
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 SP1, Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 or Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition with SP1
  • SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (or above)
  • Hotfix: Correct WCF metadata when hosting behind a load balancer
  • Hotfix: Native Debugging Improvements (not required for Visual Studio   2010)
  • Hotfix: Improve Visual Studio Stability (not required for Windows 7)
  • Hotfix: Support for FastCGI on the Development Fabric (not required for  Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008 SP2 or later)
  • Install the SDK and Tools

Everything is moving, at least in some part, to the cloud – are you ready?  Join us at the Dallas Azure Boot Camp to make sure that you’re ready…

Register now on Click to Attend

Come Join Us for two day s of Code and Fun with Silverlight and Windows Phone 7!

We will start Friday June 18th with a walkthrough of the tools and some key skills to get you started.  The goal is to provide a foundation to enable groups to build dynamic Windows Phone 7 applications using Microsoft Silverlight.  How we structure the training and focus points will depend on how attendees answer a few questions when they sign up. At the end of the day on Friday, you will join with a few of your peers to start collaborating on your own WP7 or Straight-up Silverlight application to work on and present to the other groups at the end of Saturday. 

Saturday June 19th, we build, build, build (you can start Friday night if you want but you will need to do that off site).  Mentors will be on hand to answer questions and add clarity to problem spots.

At the end of Saturday, the groups will have an opportunity to show what they built and bring it all together.  Before we all go home, we’ll have some cool giveaways.

Lunch will be provided both days!

You can get more information about this event at http://silverlightpalooza.dynamitesilverlight.com/ or register right here, right now!

Improving Enterprises and Microsoft are proud to sponsor the Second Annual Agile.NET Conference!  Currently scheduled for Friday, April 30th at the Microsoft Office in Las Colinas, Agile.NET will host 4 separate tracks filled to the brim with great content to help you improve your company�s software processes.

Registration is $25 at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/631287197. For more information, visit their web site at http://agiledotnet.com.

https://microsoft.crgevents.com/Register2010

Here are all the launch dates

• Denver – April 20, 2010
• Miami – April 20, 2010
• Milwaukee – April 20, 2010
• Orlando – April 22, 2010
• Boston – April 29, 2010
• Chicago – April 29, 2010
• New York City – May 13, 2010
• Dallas – May 18, 2010
• Washington, D.C. – May 18, 2010
• L.A. (Costa Mesa) – May 18, 2010
• Atlanta – May 20, 2010
• Houston – May 20, 2010
• San Francisco – May 20, 2010
• Detroit – May 25, 2010
• Philadelphia – May 27, 2010
• Minneapolis – May 27, 2010
• Seattle – May 27, 2010

Head over to the registration site and get signed up today before time runs out!  The first event is only few short weeks away!!!