Are you a member of the Tech Community in Chicago? Are you a long time CWUG’er or even a first timer?  Then come on down to the CWUG Event being held this month (and to kick off 2013) here at the Hamburger University in Oak Brook!   For those of you who have never been to Hamburger University it’s a pretty cool place, I’ve presented and attended a number of events there in the past.    Definitely map how to get there because I find it is more accessible off of 31st than it is off of say.. 22nd/Butterfield!    This is going to be some awesome good times and it really falls on you the community to help make this a great event – so let’s start off 2013 strong and come on down! See you there!

CWUG @ HU

The Chicago Windows User Group will be meeting at McDonald’s Hamburger University in Oakbrook

January 17th @ 5:00PM

2715 Jorie Blvd Oak Brook, IL 60523

(630) 623 – 7845

Register today!

We will have updates on Windows Intune, Windows 8 hardware (including demo equipment), The New Office and have a Windows 8 technical book giveaway for every attendee!

The Chicago Windows User Group (CWUG), founded in May 2003 and now over 2,400 members strong, aims to help everyone draw the fullest benefit from computers using Windows and software that runs on the Windows operating system. Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month and alternate between the suburbs (Jan, Mar, May, etc.) at either the Microsoft Store in Oak Brook, IL (or the Microsoft office in Downers Grove) and Chicago (Feb, Apr, Jun, etc.) at the Microsoft office in the Aon Center.

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa! What is new in Chicago land, more specifically in the User Group Community?!?! That’s right! The opening of the new Microsoft Store in Oak Brook!

This place is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I was there on Opening night (for those of you who saw me, I definitely said hi! and I’m sure I missed others!) This photo is of the interior, it’s definitely a site to see!   But that aside, there is some cool news and coming events to speak of!   Let’s discuss the matter of the November 18th (Thursday) CWUG meeting will be HOSTED at this Microsoft Store location! (OMG I know right?!)  The details are below of course, including where to register and the address/location [I personally find that parking by Pottery Barn and walking through it is the fastest way to get to the store!]

The Chicago Windows User Group has moved our suburban location from the Microsoft Downers Grove office to the Microsoft Store in Oakbrook Center! 

Our first meeting will be held there this Thursday (November 18th). 

Please RSVP by following the link here:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/65NFKSP
https://store.microsoft.com/StoreLocations/Home.aspx/Index/Oak-Brook-IL
49 Oak Brook Center
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: (630) 288-3420
There will be a tour of the store, information on Windows Phone 7 and an opportunity to reach the Chicago land technical community in new and exciting ways.  Hope to see you there!
The CWUG Crew

This video happens to have a brief overview of what “A” Microsoft Store looks like, which honestly looks VERY similar, so give it a whirl if you want to check it out and will not have the opportunity to make Thursdays meeting!

Though so you don’t feel all lonely of what is going on, here is an ACTUAL Photo I took while going into the store recently too (Yes, it was taken from my iPhone, don’t hate the player!)

One of the cool things you should know about this store (Which I learned from their Community Manager, Ashley Trueblood [OMFG Yes she has a rockass name and rocks as well] ) Is that the store regularly runs training and sessions on:

• Windows 7
• Windows Phone 7
• Xbox
• Windows Live ID
• Windows Live Essentials
• Movie Maker
• ….And more!

So, whether you can make it to this weeks Chicago Windows Users Group meeting, or in general, check it out in the future! (I was just looking at their calendar of events.. Xbox Live Tournaments on Fridays?!? WTF?!?!? Yea it’s fricking cool, check it out!)

Oh yea…  I did mention Windows Phone 7 a little, didn’t I?   Okay, fine I won’t leave you hanging!  While I was at the store on launch day I also had the opportunity to run into Dave Bost (I’ve talked about Dave before, absolute rock star that he is, who also happens to be a Windows Phone Champion, rockstar, right?!) A shame you missed the demo’s he was doing in store days following the opening, and before the release of Windows Phone 7!

Nonetheless, I won’t invoke too many spoilers.. so go check it out! and I’ll see you there this Thursday!!!

Well, Better late than never (Lots of traffic, didn’t get home until really late last night!)

It’s been two months since we’ve met for an in person meeting.  The Chicago office work continues and we’ll provide more information on our February return to downtown Chicago after the new year.  To wrap up 2008, our final in person event is happening this Wednesday evening in Downers Grove.  Come out and get your first glimpse of Windows 7 as well as many other great technologies.

DATE:  WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17TH

TIME:  5:00 – 9:00 PM

WHERE:  IN PERSON! – MICROSOFT OFFICE, DOWNERS GROVE

SIGN UP:  http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032398171&Culture=en-US

First 50 registered attendees that attend the meeting will receive a Microsoft Press Book!  Don’t miss out!

AGENDA: 

5:00 – 5:30 DINNER

5:30 – 6:00 ROOM INTRODUCTIONS

6:00 – 6:15 MEETING BEGINS

6:15 – 7:30 SPRINGBOARD IT PRO SERIES PRESENTATION

6:15 – 8:30 HOME TECHNOLOGY TRENDS/CONFIGURATIONS TRACK

7:30 – 7:45 BREAK

7:45 – 8:30 HOLIDAY GADGETS

8:30 – 9:00 WRAP UP

“Springboard IT Pro Series Topic:  Advancing desktop management – Windows Vista and the Road to Windows 7”

Our speaker this month is Microsoft’s Stephen Rose.  Stephen joined Celine Allee’s Springboard team in Redmond and is a former MVP – he was on the last Springboard Series Virtual Round Table on Performance.

Facebook group:  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4397556247

CWUG Portal:  http://portal.cwug.net

The CWUG Crew