Tech.Ed 2011 kicks-off: photos

Geeks and developers were served champagne, beer and wine at the welcome party for this year's Tech.Ed.

Dinner at Tech.Ed's welcoming party is held indoors, away from the thunderstorm brewing outside.

At HP's stand, attendees try their hand at setting a new simulated lap record.

Microsoft Australia managing director, Pip Marlow, comes out as a geek and gamer and says developers have the ability to make a difference and create better opportunities in the community.

Microsoft demonstrates how Kinect can be used by modellers to pan, zoom and tilt around a high-resolution model of a vehicle.

Microsoft's Nick Hodge demonstrates the use of devices interacting with the Microsoft Surface for architectural design.

Microsoft's stall is the centrepiece of the Tech.Ed exhibition.

Scattered throughout the venue are "recharge bars" for users to recharge their batteries and plug into Tech.Ed's 100Mbps network.

Michael Lee travelled to Tech.Ed 2011 as a guest of Microsoft.