Category Technology

Hey Chicago! Hey Girls! (Hey Girls In Tech in Chicago?! :)) Okay, that’s a bit trite… :)

It was a beautiful Tuesday evening this December 1st of 2009 – For the opening event of the Chicago chapter of Girls In Tech!    There was an almost equal pairing of women and men at this launch event! It’s great to see the number of men who want to see women thrive in technology and are willing to come out to show it!   

I took a photo which didn’t really come out, but I did take a short 5min video of the introduction, kick off and overview of the organization (with banter from the crowd as well ;)

So, I encourage you men and women alike to not only keep an eye on Girls In Tech, but take an active role in promoting this to others as well!  This is a great organization reaching out to the masses who don’t need to stand alone, there is a solid community and support network out there! Embrace it.  Join and you won’t regret it!

I want to extend special thanks to Managing Director Dawn Kuczwara @digitaldawn for organizing this whole event and Microsoft Technology Evangelist Angela Dugan @oakparkgirl for presenting at this first event!

That’s right! Coming to a city near you (Or specifically very near me :)) Is the Launch event for Girls In Tech (This is a Co-Ed event, so don’t get overwhelmed guys)

Girls in Tech – Chicago Launch!

Girls in Tech is a social network enterprise focused on the engagement, education and empowerment of like-minded, professional, intelligent and influential women in technology.  Everyone is welcome as we kick off and celebrate the launch of the Chicago chapter! Hor d’overs will be served.

What’s a cool way to use Twitter, Facebook, Twitpic and more?  How about as a real time travelogue? Angela Dugan from Microsoft will talk about using social media to share your adventures with friends, family & co-workers in near real time!

If you are at all invested in technology, and want to see not only the future of technology continue to thrive but also to meet intelligent women of the world who will have a stake in that future – Your investment in an event like this will make all the difference.

And as an extra incentive, use coupon code “twitter” to save an extra $2 off of the event!

So, come on down and I’ll see you at TechNexus on Tuesday!

TechNexus
200 S. Wacker Drive
15th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606

Today was the big day! The launch of the Virtual Computing Environment coalition, also known as the VCE Initiative!

CNN Broke the news as far as the link to the Webinar would go, with announcements being made by:
John Chambers, chairman and CEO for Cisco
Joe Tucci, chairman and CEO for EMC Corp
Paul Maritz, president and CEO for VMware

There has been a lot of chatter about this, over the weekend and even moreso leading into this announcement, with some highlights:

The launch of Privatecloud.com is only the beginning in the mass of places to find out information and content on this amazing initative.

VCE Beats out IBM with Melbourne IT

Cisco and EMC, Together with VMware, Form Coalition to Accelerate Pervasive Virtualization and Private Cloud Infrastructures

In unveiling the Virtual Computing Environment coalition, Cisco and EMC also introduced Acadia, a joint venture focused on accelerating customer build-outs of private cloud infrastructures through an end-to-end enablement of service providers and large enterprise customers. Acadia’s unique “build, operate, transfer” model for delivering the Vblock architecture, addressing people, process and technology, will offer customers further choice, flexibility and cost advantages as they seek to virtualize their IT infrastructures and evolve to private cloud environments. In addition to Cisco and EMC as the lead investors, the build-out of Acadia’s expanded capabilities in 2010 has also been capitalized by investments from VMware and Intel. Because the Vblock architecture relies heavily on Intel Xeon® processors and other Intel data center technology, Intel will join the Acadia effort as a minority investor to facilitate and accelerate customer adoption of the latest Intel technology for servers, storage, and networking.

Cisco, EMC, and VMware join hands and plunge into cloud: Acadia, the power of three

In fact, many partners – both systems integrators, and service providers have all started lining up behind Vblocks.    Here are just a few examples:

Most of the vCloud Express launch partners are using the VCE coalition, and want to move forward with a formal Vblock model.   Examples are Terremark, Alphawest, Savvis, Orange and SunGard. (Thanks for this Chad!)

Virtual Compute Environment – an insider’s take.

Virtual Compute Environment – Vblock Partner Ecosystem

Virtual Compute Announcement – Integrated Sales/Service/Support

Virtual Compute Environment – Solutions Venture and Investment

Virtual Compute Environment – Technology Innovations

Also, looks like there is some Twitter presence too! So, represent! @privatecloudcom

Today, is quite an exciting day, and while all of this is high level, I’d be glad to go into much more depth about this – something I’m sure many of those linked and referenced here can say and do the same.   This is not intended to be a tutorial, but an advisory of what’s new, where to go, and I’ll have separate blog posts to go into the details :) It’s an exciting day! :)

If you know me (Sure you do, right!? ;)) you know that I like to find good value which is quick, effective and often and especially free! :)

I’d like to introduce you to Mike Laverick, Virtualization guru extraordinaire! And what Mike has produced here is amazing videos (which you can actually see, since he converted them to SWF/Shockwave files) and not to mention they’re human, humourous and even more so, extremely valuable and fast!

Oh, did I mention these videos will also be supplemental to his Book?! (the book isn’t out yet, but I’ll pick it up as I know how valuable it will be!)

So, I highly encourage you to check this out, if you’re familiar with ESX and haven’t touched on vSphere yet, if you’re a master of VMware and want some good insight and value, and most importantly, even if you’ve never touched VMware, or virtualization before – You’ll get a –lot- out of this! So check it out, this is some of the best content you can pay for – and it’s free!

Did you get one of these mails? House Party extravaganza?! If you didn’t, well here is the low-down!

Be a part of Windows^® history.
Host a Windows^® 7 Launch Party.

Have Fun. Help Your Friends.

Receive a Signature Edition of Windows^® 7 Ultimate.

You host the party. We’ll bring the favors.

Apply online to host a Launch Party. Choose a day from October 22-29 and if you’re selected, you’ll not only receive a special Signature Edition of Windows^® 7 Ultimate but your very own Windows^® 7 Party Pack.

Hosting a Windows^® 7 Launch Party is easy.

You’ll be assisted by House Party, the world’s leading party organizer. Pick a theme, then upload photos and videos, chat with other hosts, blog your experience, and download fun favors all from your personal House Party page.

Let’s Party!
Just choose one of our Windows® 7 Party Themes:
•    > PhotoPalooza
•    > Media Mania
•    > Setting Up With Ease
•    > Family Friendly Fun

All around it sounds like it’d be a blast! Fill out the form, and coordinate a party, receive a party pack and give away favors.. yay?!   I don’t know about you, but I’m all signed up and if I get approved… par-tay! It doesn’t hurt that a majority of all computers we run in our household are already running Win7 ;)

So, get out there, apply.. earn your free Signature Edition of Win7 Ultimate! Party Favors! Connect with the community! and more!   Hell, I may host mine at our 2000 square foot studio if I get much demand for this! :) So, party down! win7, yay! :)