With that being said, I think I have come up with a way to offer knowledge, a goal, a purpose and this will actually help advance your career! So I ask you one Question:

The Proposal

For those of us that are Microsoft Developers [sorry Open Source folks, feel free to create your own movement and join our adventure]

I propose that we continue to meet for Coffee and Code events which will be extended to 6pm – 9pm. The first hour of the event will be social, this will allow some de-stress time, keep up the networking aspect, and allow time for consumption of food. This leaves 7pm – 9pm for Presentation, Discussion, and Hands-On Labs.

The First Topic

Considering our youthful group, I believe the logical first topic would be starting at the entry level [don’t take entry level lightly] Certification Platform, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist [MCTS].  We can have break out groups to cover different competencies however I believe the Visual Studio and Microsoft .NET Framework.

The Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Application Development Foundation self paced training kit for MCTS Exam 70-536 is the first stepping stone towards an MCTS Certification for the .NET Framework.

Candidates for this exam work on a team in a medium-sized or large development environment that uses Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Developer, Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, or Microsoft Visual Studio 2008. Candidates should have at least two to three years of experience developing Web-based, Windows-based, or distributed applications by using the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0, the .NET Framework 1.1, the .NET Framework 2.0, or the .NET Framework 3.5. Candidates should have a working knowledge of Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio 2008.

The Application Development Foundation book is exactly that the Foundation of the MCTS Certification, in order to become Certified you have to select One Additional Exam [70-561,70-562,70-503,70-505,70-502,70-504].

The Second Exam is where the break-out groups would come into effect. As the majority of the group are Web Developers, my recommendation would be the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – ASP.NET Application Development self paced training kit for MCTS Exam 70-562.

Candidates for this exam use Microsoft Visual Studio in a team-based, medium-sized to large development environment. Candidates should have a minimum of two to three years of experience developing Web-based applications by using Microsoft ASP.NET. Candidates should also have a minimum of one year of experience with web services, state management, ASP.NET configuration, monitoring web applications, debugging, page life-cycle management; security, membership & roles, JavaScript, and Internet Information Server (IIS). Candidates should be very familiar with Visual Studio 2005 or later and the .NET Framework classes that are related to ASP.NET and ADO.NET. In addition, candidates should have a good grasp of ASP.NET AJAX.

The Cake

Prometric and Microsoft have a pretty sweet deal on right now, which gives extra incentive to start the process now and this cake is not a lie.

The Lettuce

In the end everything always comes down to money. Unfortunately this is no exception, however I am trying my best to get funding to help us out along the way. I will not be able to pay for your exams, but I am looking to comp the Literature [I have submitted my plea, and will comment on this post when I receive the answer].

A Microsoft Certification Exam costs $125.00 USD [Source: Prometric’s Website] in Ontario, Canada.

If you get a 2-exam pack you save 20% 15% and have the safety of the second shot.

The last item that will cost money is food, if we meet at our typical location, The Albion Hotel, they have been nice enough to allow us to have our meetings without a venue cost. We should be sure to eat a meal in good faith for them hosting our Study Group for 3 hours. Just be sure to include food in your budget.

The Challenge

Earlier today I contacted Microsoft Canada on twitter asking if they would be willing to put up 2 Certification Vouchers if we could get a group of 10 Certification Study Members. I will be following up with Microsoft Canada via Email [seems more appropriate] to see if they would be able to provide the prizes.

Track the list of interested Study Members on the MS-Cert-StudyGroup Twitter List [we’re currently at 6].

That’s right, up close and personal, Mark will be bringing his Developer Edition device along with him to show off what Windows Phone 7 really has to offer.

Head over to the CTTDNUG Community Site to register.

Session Abstract

Developing for the “Third Screen” – Windows Phone 7

For the longest time Microsoft has been talking about their “Three Screens and the Cloud” strategy but did not really have a compelling mobile story. With the arrival of Windows Phone 7, the third screen has arrived and with that the new Windows Phone developer story has arrived. During this session you will get a high level overview of the platform plus go into some of the new APIs available for Windows Phone 7. We will cover the new application model, Windows Phone 7 specific services, sensors, multimedia plus more! Come and learn how to build for the third screen, build for Windows Phone 7.

Related Links

• Microsoft Canada’s Official Windows Phone Blog Posts
• Mark Arteaga Blogs on Windows Phone 7

Mark and his “awesome” team of Developers create custom software that integrates with Sage SalesLogix, as well as many other Software Solutions built on the Microsoft .NET Platform.

The new home of BITtelligent Software is 1111 Franklin Blvd Unit 9, Cambridge Ontario, Canada.

Congratulations to Mark and his team, we hope you enjoy the new digs!

What’s the Value?

If you’re a Company that has a unique application that leverages to .NET Development Platform or is an Open Source Project you have the ability to showcase your application at an event that draws over 1000 attendees. If you’re a Community Group [like Guelph Coffee and Code] don’t worry you aren’t left out, you can also talk about your unique Project to gain awareness. Even if you’re an Individual Developer or IT Professional or Project Manager and would like to be involved, you can show off your skills.

How do I get Involved?

The process is simple all you need to do is submit an session abstract [descriptive explanation] of your interesting Story, or Expertise to the Canadian Tech Days Content Team.

When is this Tech Days Event anyways?

To Learn more about the advantages of OpenData check out the @OpenGuelph Initiative on twitter. To find out more as to why Guelph Coffee and Code is making these applications check out The Last Mile for OpenData.

Upcoming OpenData Projects will include IPhone, .NET, and hopefully a Rails Development.

Packt Publishing

If you love the .NET Framework and would like to venture into the world of writing, contact Packt at author@packtpub.com with your book idea. If you don’t have a book idea, but would still like to give writing a book to try Packt would still like to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming an author, check out what they are looking for and submit your ideas.

Guelph Coffee and Code member Andrew Dupe [@Dup3] will be leading a discussion on iPhone Application Development. The study group portion of the event will begin at 5pm and carry on until 6pm or later depending on audience influence.

Join the Discussion

Venue: Coco Latte
Location: 55 Wyndham St. N Guelph, Ontario
Date: Thursday April 22, 2010
Time: 5pm (Study Group), 6pm – 8pm (Regular Event)

Things are Brewing…

Last week a number of Guelph Coffee and Code members attended DemoCamp Guelph. After noticing the number of demo decline from previous events, I talked to Brydon at the event to see if Guelph Coffee and Code could help. A number of our members have been on the Stage to demo including Tony Thompson, John Rockefeller and Cory Fowler.  If you would like to take the plunge and Demo at a future DemoCamp and don’t know where to start, come join us for advise!  We will be running a Demo Prep Camp at a future event to try to get more technologists excited and prepared to demo.