Microsoft kicks off TechEd

The three-and-a-half-day event, which gives a chance for developers and IT professionals a chance to expand their knowledge of Microsoft technologies, commenced late Tuesday August 3 at the National Convention and Exhibition Centre in Canberra.

According to Microsoft sources Tech.Ed 2004 numbers from paid delegates are up from last year with 1800 attendees expected at the event. Expanding on last year's student day, Microsoft have announced the first day on Tuesday, when no breakout sessions are running, a free day for the Canberra public to get a taste of TechEd 2004.

As with last year's conference it will be broken up into two distinct areas: one for IT professionals focusing on system administration issues and a second for developers focusing on coding, engineering and architecture.

Steve Vamos, managing director, Microsoft Australia will open the event alongside deep sea explorer and scientist, Dr. Joseph MacInnis, Dr. MacInnis will talk about the role of technology in his underwater adventures, including exploration of the Titanic. Eric Rudder, Microsoft Corp senior vice president of server and tools, will present his vision of the future to Tech.Ed 2004 attendees in the closing keynote on Friday.

Speakers expected to be presenting at the event include Eric Rudder, Microsoft's senior vice president of server and tools, Deep sea explorer and scientist, Dr. Joseph MacInnis, Steve Vamos, managing director of Microsoft Australia, and other Microsoft experts such as Steve Riley, Brian Goldfarb, Jonathan Wells, Peter Stanski, Charles Sterling, Adam Cogan, Greg Low, Tony Bain, and Nick Weinholt.

Microsoft will also be providing around 120 break-out sessions, labs to test Microsoft technology and an 'ask-the-expert' dinner which will allow attendees to quiz the experts behind the software company's technology.