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!!!

The day will be October 22nd, which will lead host to not only the next Chicago Windows Users Group meeting, but it’ll also be a Windows 7 Party!

I’ll have some of the prizes/giveaways for the Windows 7 party with me, but lo and behold here are the details for the Chicago meeting of the CWUG!

We had our Annual PC Recycle at our September meeting in Downers Grove.  Brian Jones arranged for ATEN to join us in the parking lot of the Microsoft Downers Grove parking lot again this year (thanks Brian!).  This was also our 2nd consumer focused CWUG – Jeri Stodola gave an example of our very first birds of a feather session and has earned her very own Windows 7 Backpack!  We’re still looking for topic suggestions and facilitators for our 2^nd Enterprise focused meeting which will be held downtown Chicago in the afternoon. Sign up information is provided below NOTE:  the date was changed to October 22^nd.

October Meeting – Enterprise Focused

Thursday, October 22^nd

12:30 – 1:30 bring lunch/network

1:30 – 1:45  meeting begins

1:45 – 4:15 Topics and Birds of a Feather sessions

Session 1:  HyperV

Session 2:  Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DART)

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032424373&culture=en-US

Going forward, we will use the CWUG online group to share information, communicate with each other and schedule meetings:  http://cwug.groups.live.com

Be sure to SIGN Up for the CWUG and I will see you there!

There are some exciting changes in store for the Chicago Windows User Group.  Here are the cliff notes.  

1.  We have a new way to collaborate http://cwug.groups.live.com sign up today. 

2.  We are changing the meeting formats. 

3.  Introducing Birds of a Feather sessions. 

Read the rest for all the juicy details.

Starting this July, we’re going to go all in by connecting participants based upon Windows Live IDs.  This enables a lot more collaboration and networking even outside of our in person meetings.  To sign up for the new Windows Live Group site please visit http://cwug.groups.live.com  This is a continuation of our facebook, portal, web presence, live mesh and twitter sites.  Think of this new site, and the main repository of CWUG information.  24X7 collaboration opportunities.  Those who collab more will be rewarded ;)

http://twitter.com/cwug

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

http://portal.cwug.net

CWUG Live Mesh with boot from VHD instructions:  email drey@microsoft.com

The other big change is with our meetings.  We are changing our format based on feedback from our members, sponsors and board.  Starting this month we will have 2 types of meetings.  The first is a consumer broad interest meeting which will be focused Windows in the home or hobbyist.  The second is a meeting focused on enterprise customers.  This meeting will be focused on business customers who run Windows as their desktop and server OS.  Our schedule will be as follows :

Consumer Space meetings will be held on odd months in Downers Grove. 

Our Enterprise meetings will be held on even months at the Chicago Microsoft Technology Center. 

We would like to be clear, anyone is welcome to attend any meeting based on interests.  In fact, we feel that we will be able to offer something for everyone no matter what your role or purpose with Windows is.  We will also be branching off and eventually holding/hosting consumer meetings downtown and enterprise meetings in Downers Grove.  Let us work out the kinks in this new system before we do that.

We will also offer 2 birds of a feather meeting slots at each meeting.  What is a birds of a feather (BOF) session? BOF is where a member or partner will host a side meeting during our regular meetings.  You can sign up for these on first come first serve basis.  You want to geek out and talk about clusters, PKI, Home Automation or what ever else you want to collaborate with some of the brightest minds around?  Well that is what a birds of a feather session is.  You own it, you drive attendance, you do everything but we set up the location for you.  Birds of a feather session can be presentation, discussion, meditation; we do not care, just make it cool and try to drive value for your self and the rest of the community.  Email Robert Nottoli (robnotto@microsoft.com) to sign up or additional information.  These will be rated and published!

Here are our next 2 meetings and third quarter volunteer/non profit/fund raising opportunity:

July 16th
Consumer Focused:  3025 Highland Ave, Suite 300, Downers Grove Il
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032420958&Culture=en-US
5:00 to 6:00 Food Networking
6::00 to 7:15 Home Automation using Windows technologies. 
7:30 to 8:45 Windows Live portfolio of Software as Service
8:45 to 9:00 Wrap Up
We will also have a Ford Sync on hand to demonstrate this cool Windows technology.
CWUG will also be raffling away a Starter Home Automation Kit.
Birds of a Feather meeting #1:  Open
Birds of a Feather meeting #2: Open

August 20th
Enterprise Focused:  200 West Randolph Suite 200, Chicago
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032420966&Culture=en-US
12:30 to 1:30 Lunch – bring your own.  We will supply beverages and cookies
1:30 to 2:45 Power Shell 2.0 for technology users
3:00 to 4:15 Windows 7 deep dive for technology professionals-How to get ready and deploy Windows 7 for business users
4:15 to 4:30 wrap up

Saturday August 1st

We are inviting CWUG members, family and friends for the 2^nd annual Team Microsoft CowaLUNGa Bike Tour

http://my.imisfriendraising.com/TeamPage.aspx?teamID=32552&LangPref=en-CA

In closing it is an exciting time to come out and become a part of the Chicago Windows User Group again, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are shipping and we are stepping up our community effort to better serve our members and community.  There are also a ton of opportunities to help the user group and community out, contact Robert Nottoli (robnotto@microsoft.com) if you have any ideas or you would like to get involved.

Here are the details as published in the CWUG Regular mailing:

Plan to spend the evening of Thurs, May 21st with a laptop, RC software and the most technical and talented group of IT Professionals gathered in one place.  We are gearing up for a Release Candidate Loadfest – bring a laptop, blank DVD and/or 4 gb (or higher) USB thumbnail drive and leave with either the Release Candidate of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 (hopefully you are already running one of these today; learn ways to run the other version).  We’re planning a packed agenda of presentations – Microsoft’s Daniel Savage will present System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 and Microsoft’s Rob Nottoli will present Windows Server 2008 R2.  Attendees can join us at either the Microsoft Downers Grove or Chicago office.  Your registration is your entry into our biggest giveaways of the year (but you must be present at one of the meetings to win). Please share with your technical teams.

1. Event URL : http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032416349&Culture=en-US
Event Title : CWUG May Meeting Chicago. There is a restaurant open in the basement of the AON Center.  Food is not provided at this meeting.

2. Event URL : http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032416350&Culture=en-US
Event Title : CWUG May Meeting Downers Grove. Because there isn’t a restaurant open or conveniently located, food is provided.

5:00 – 5:30 Networking

5:30 – 6:00 Room Introductions

6:00 – 6:15 Meeting Kick Off

Session 1:  SCOM 2007 R2 Presentation

15 minutes: Break and Q&A for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Session 2:  Windows Server 2008 R2

Giveaways are planned – one of which will be running the Release Candidate of Windows 7 (and another that could back up a PC running or in preparation of the Release Candidate).

Chris Urban’s book is out!  Announced at MMS 2009, Mastering System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 is available at http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-047017367X.html.

CWUG’s Christopher Kusek has been “On The Bus” and is attending Tech Ed 2009 this week https://www.pkguild.com/

For all the Microsoft Partner Program participants, check out the US Central Region Partner Team’s Blog at http://blogs.technet.com/uspartner_centralregion/default.aspx and attend CWUG’s May meeting for some great partner opportunities in May and June.

Save the date for the biggest CWUG event of 2009 (yet….) – Thursday, May 21st.

The CWUG Crew

To take things a step further, I will also have Microsoft Certification Vouchers available for people looking to take an exam before June 30th, 2009!   The vouchers entitle you to two chances to take an exam for $25.00 total, which is just great!

There is a caveat around this, in order to use a voucher you have to actually use it, and for every one who takes an exam, you will be entered into a drawing for a special prize for taking advantage of your education and certification! :)

So, get ready for the fun and adventure on Thursday, and get your Certification hat on! Every one of you who takes it to bear has a good chance of winning a major prize!   See you Thursday! (Oh, and I’ll be in Downers Grove for whoever is counting/asking :))