INETA APAC Newsletter July 2007

About INETA
INETA is the next evolution in user group communities—a non-profit, independent organization, chartered with supporting all user groups interested in the Microsoft .Net platform.

INETA is run by a Board of user group leaders, elected by their peers, and supported by Microsoft Corporation and other sponsors.

Happenings Around INETA Asia Pacific (APAC)

Happenings around Asia Pacific

FY08
Starting July 07 up to June 30th 2008, is the new financial year for us at APAC. We have some exciting things planned for groups this year based on feedback.

Key highlights of FY08 plans:
1). UG Led events: In addition to our speaker bureau, which we're expanding considerably, we've gone ahead and taken forward an effort we started last year to sponsor user group led events. So if you're planning an exciting event and are short of resources, feel free to drop an email to apac.admin@ineta.org detailing your special event make sure you notify us at least one month in advance.
2). UG Kits: Last year we dispatched 2 user group kits for leaders, this year around we're planning to ensure that we provide one kit per quarter. The first effort in this direction is to provide custom t-shirts to user groups for the current quarter.
All we ask in exchange for this additional support is your feedback.
3). UG Best Practice Guide: Share your best practices with us and you have the chance to win some attractive prices in addition to the recognition of your best practice being posted on our website.
4). Academic workshops: We're keen to expand the user group base in the academic space to encourage new entrants into our world. If you feel your local group would needs assistance in this area drop us an email at apac.admin@ineta.org
5). Vendor Offerings: Our Marketing team is working hard to ensure that every two months via the newsletter we make available at least one vendor offering of free giveaway software is made available. If you're looking for specific offerings, email the apac.admin@ineta.org. See the special offering by DevForce at the end of the newsletter.

Call for Volunteers
We're indebted to our existing volunteers who have helped support our mission. We encourage more leaders out there to contribute their time in order to help us support groups. To volunteer please drop an email to apac.admin@ineta.org

Sanjay Shetty,
President, INETA APAC sanjay.shetty@ineta.org

Editor's Note

In this month's newsletter, we bring you the latest community launch for VISTA and Office which took place in Melbourne (Australia). We also caught up with the SGDOTNET usergroup who shares with us their participation in the Sumo-Robot competition during MEDC (Singapore).

By September 2007, we are reaching one year old! Do send us suggestions on how we can commemorate this very special occasion.

If you have a story or photos to share about an event happening in your region, do send us an email so that we can feature it in the newsletter.

The newsletter committee is looking for volunteers in this team who can assist in various areas such as data collation, editing, proof reading, design and formatting etc. Please feel free to drop an email to weehyong.tok@ineta.org

WH
Editor, INETA APAC
Newsletter Team

The APAC .Net Channel

Usergroup Activities around APAC

Australia

Melbourne,
by Ed Hooper

XNA Game Camp
The XNA Game Camp was held in May which covered topics such as

- C# + XNA
- Breaking into the game industry
- Xbox 360 as well as a number of others.

We had around 160 members who attended the camp. Everyone enjoyed the seminar, prizes, refreshments and Xbox 360 action.

The audience

The XNA game SPACEWAR being demonstrated and played by members during the presentation

Gears of War four player action on Xbox 360

Vista Launch

In March, we had our Windows Vista launch in which I gave a demonstration of Vista and Office 2007 in action. We covered various features and then had a Q&A session which was followed by an awesome prize draw and refreshments.

Ed Hooper - presenting information on the Imagine Cup competition

Vista and Office 2007 in action.

Members being given copies of Office 2007 trials and Visual Studio Express

Attendees enjoying refreshments.

Prize winners

Singapore

SGDOTNET @ MEDC
by Alvin Lau

MEDC was held on 8th June 2007 in Singapore for the first time and SGDN was proud to be the technical sponsor for the event which around 500++ participants turned up. Prior to the event, SGDN members had a sneak preview during the evening on 7th June 2007, which Andre and Sarah Ali shared with us about Windows Mobile 6.0 and Windows Embedded. It was specially arranged to give SGDN members an opportunity to meet up the distinguished speakers close up and it was possible due to strong support from Chewy Chong , DE, Microsoft Singapore.

Just before MEDC started, many participants were very interested in our Sumo-Robots and many of them crowded around as we tried to explain about the robots as well as the competition held for the day. The MEDC Sumo-Robot competition is really simple, participants just need to choose ONE of the 8 Sumo-Robots (which we gave them codenames from Microsoft products) which eventually win the Sumo-Robot competition held at 1100 hrs (Round 1) and 1415hrs (Round 2) . The participants with the correct guess gets the chance to participate in a lucky draw, where 10 Windows Mobile gym bags and 1 Dopod 838Pro are given away.

When the competition started, many of the 160 participants who've casted their vote, crowded around to cheer for the Sumo-Robot and many photographers were happily snapping photos.

After 3 gruelling round, Robot No 5 eventually stood out amongst the crowd and there were 11 participants walking away a happier man (or woman).

MEDC Sumo-Robot competition is merely a showcase, and SGDN will be organising an actual Sumo-Robot competition whereby anyone can program the SumoRobots and pit against other competitors. Many participants have expressed their interest as we've explained the steps required in order to set up the environment to develop the attack logic for the SumoRobots. The MS Robotics team have done such a great job that it's really simple for any developer (and I stress any developer) to develop their very own SumoRobot and there's simply zero investment in order to get all the tools required. A simple visit to http://verychewy.com will make you SumoRobot competent!

Up Close with .Net Leaders

In this issue, we got in touch with two usergroup leads - Alvin Lau (SGDOTNET) and Ed Hooper (MUCSA). They share with us their experiences in running usergroup.

Alvin Lau
Usergroup Lead, SGDOTNET

1. Do tell us more about the background of the SGDOTNET usergroup.
SGDOTNET is Singapore first .NET Professional User group and we were formed since 2004. SGDOTNET comprises of professionals from all walks of the IT industry, although most of our members are more into the software development. The usergroup runs an online community which allows members to collaborate online. In addition, we strive on a strong offline community whereby members come together for monthly user group meetings.

2. What is your vision for the usergroup?
To help motivated devlopers discover the best ways to use .NET technology.

3. Do share with us some of the memorable activities that were organized.
Hmm...Well, it must have been the Community Launch 2005 where we did a joint launch with Singapore SQL Server User Group. It was the first time we did a huge launch and our first time collaborating with another user group. In the end, it turned out to be a successful event with almost 300 participants attending the event, which was held on a Saturday. Personally, it's very memorable as the event was held on my birthday :)

4. Do share with us your experience in running the usergroup.
Running a usergroup requires a strong leadership team and I'm thankful that I have a team of council members who bear most of the load together with me. As all of us have a full time job, it's paramount that there's enough of us working together to ensure that there are activities (offline and online) as well as large scale events during major product launches.

5. What is your wish list for next generation developer tools?
I truly believe that there will come one day when development will become fully automated, whereby software engineers merely setup the processes, input and output parameters and ensure the quality of the code generated. Is that a developer tool? I think so...

Ed Hooper
Usergroup Lead, MUCSA

1. Do tell us more about the background of the MUCSA usergroup.
The Melbourne University Computer Students Association (MUCSA) is a student club for University of Melbourne students who are either studying or have an interest in Information Technology. MUCSA was founded in the year 2000 and has since then grown to be the largest IT club on campus and is supported by both IT Departments of the University.

We provide a number of services to members such as seminars, software distribution (under the MSDNAA license), social functions and various other events. We have been running .net related events for years but have only recently become an affiliated INETA usergroup. Being a .net usergroup has become one of our primary functions because of a lack of .net related content in the courses available within the University. Through this new initiative we are able to educate students on the latest .net and Microsoft technology.

2. What is your vision for the usergroup?
My goal is for MUCSA to keep expanding with more and more students getting involved and informed. It would be fantastic to have a member or team of members perform well in a .net related competition such as the Imagine Cup or Dream, Build, Play competition.

3. Do share with us your experience in running the usergroup.
I have found running MUCSA to be a very fulfilling and rewarding experience. Through presenting seminars regularly my public speaking ability has been significantly strengthened. Being able to share knowledge and new technology with my peers has been fantastic because everyone is learning and getting involved.

Special Offers

DevForce Express is a free developer productivity solution for .NET that is fully integrated with Microsoft Visual Studio for developing data-intensive client/server applications. DevForce Express includes a core RAD framework, an integrated ORM, advanced UI DataBinding, MVC architecture, and one-click deployment and versioning. It includes all product documentation including "Quickstart" tutorials and demos. Applications built with DevForce Express may be developed, deployed, and resold royalty-free.

INETA APAC memebers can obtain a copy of DevForce Express at the url below.

http://www.ideablade.com/DevForceExpress_Home/registerDownload.aspx?referrer=INETA.

In the form to download the application for the field “How did you hear about IdeaBlade? :” enter “INETA APAC”

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