Baltimore Area Microsoft Developer User Group

Speaker: G. Andrew Duthie

Topic: Build Great Apps and Games for Windows 8

RSVP: Meetup

Location: DoublePositive
1501 S. Clinton Street, Suite 1520
Baltimore, Maryland 21224

Date: THURSDAY, March 28th, networking begins at 6:30

Abstract:
Join Microsoft Technical Evangelist G. Andrew Duthie for a tour of the new Windows Store app platform that you can use to build great apps and games for Windows 8 and Windows RT. Andrew will provide an overview of the platform, focusing on the HTML and JavaScript app support, and how you can leverage skills you already have to make great apps, including leveraging existing script libraries like jQuery.

Andrew will also show off some of the frameworks, such as Construct 2, that are available for quickly building fun games for Windows 8, and easily targeting those same games at other platforms including Windows Phone 8, iOS, the web, and more.

Bio :
G. Andrew Duthie, aka devhammer, is a Technical Evangelist for Microsoft’s Mid-Atlantic States district, where he provides support and education for developers working with the Microsoft development platform. In addition to his work with Microsoft, Andrew is the author of several books on ASP.NET and web development, and has spoken at numerous industry conferences from VSLive! and ASP.NET Connections, to Microsoft’s Professional Developer Conference (PDC) and Tech-Ed. Andrew has been participating in the user group community since way back in 1997, when one of his co-workers dragged him out to the Internet Developers User Group in Tyson’s Corner, VA, and he’s been hooked ever since.

Andrew is also the creator and developer of Community Megaphone, a site designed for promoting and finding developer community events.

In addition to his work in software development, Andrew has enjoyed some recent forays into the world of hardware experimentation, including developing for Kinect and .NET Gadgeteer, using his newly-formed hardware chops to do everything from blinking LEDs and making strange noises, to flying a helicopter with his bare hands.

Andrew can be reached through his blog at http://devhammer.net/. You can also follow Andrew on twitter at https://twitter.com/devhammer/

Speaker: Steve Michelotti

Topic: Teach Your Kid to Code

RSVP: Meetup

Location: CalVert Hall High School
8102 La Salle Road
Baltimore, Maryland 21286
http://www.calverthall.com

Date: WEDNESDAY, February 27th, networking begins at 6:30

Abstract:
Have you ever wanted a way to teach your kid to code? For that matter, have you ever wanted to simply be able to explain to your kid what you do for a living? Putting things in a context that a kid can understand is not as easy as it sounds. If you are someone curious about these concepts, this is a “can’t miss” presentation that will be co-presented by Justin Michelotti (5th grader) and his father. Bring your kid with you to BaltoMSDN for this fun and educational session. We will show tools you may not have been aware of like SmallBasic and Kodu – we’ll even throw in a little Visual Studio. Concepts such as variables, conditionals, loops, and functions will be covered while we introduce object oriented concepts without any of the confusing words. Kids are not required for entry!

Bio :
Steve Michelotti is a Microsoft ASP.NET MVP and a contributing author for Pluralsight training. In addition, Steve is a frequent presenter at developer user groups and Code Camps along the East Coast and holds the MCSD, MCPD, and MCT certifications. Steve is an avid blogger (http:/geekswithblogs.net/michelotti), has contributed articles to Visual Studio Magazine, and his work on high performance web solutions was featured on Channel 9. Currently he is serving as an Architect/Developer for Applied Information Sciences (AIS) where he is leading a multi-year effort to modernize the business systems of a major insurance carrier. Previously he was the Chief Technologist at e.magination where he consulted with clients including Advertising.com/AOL where he was the Tech Lead for one of the highest volume .NET applications in the world.

Speaker: Dan Woodard

Topic: Search Driven Applications in SharePoint 2013

RSVP: Meetup

Location: System Source
338 Clubhouse Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
http://www.syssrc.com/

Date: WEDNESDAY, January 16th, networking begins at 6:30

Abstract:
Enterprise search is not the same as internet based search. There are different rules and expectations around security and user context. SharePoint search driven applications can help bridge the gap between structured line of business data and unstructured data such as documents, presentations, web sites pages and even social data. SharePoint 2013 provides some exciting features that help develop powerful applications and experiences.

Bio :
Dan is the SharePoint practice manager for LCG Technologies. He is a professional developer and solutions architect with over 16 years of experience.

He was the technical lead for the SharePoint team at Allegis Group where he was responsible for designing and developing enterprise SharePoint solutions.

Prior to LCG and Allegis Group, Dan worked for as a developer for Microsoft where he worked in the Business Solutions division.

Dan has worked with the .NET framework since the early betas and with SharePoint for the past 7 years.

Speaker: Claudio Sanchez

Topic: ONE FRAMEWORK TO RULE THEM ALL: Using .Net to develop Multi-Platform Mobile Apps

RSVP: Meetup

Location: Cynergy Systems
505 South Exeter Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
www.cynergy.com

Date: TUESDAY, November 20th, networking begins at 6:30

Abstract:
In this session we’re going to examine how to create cross-platform mobile applications using C# for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 7. We’ll look at the architecture necessary to support code sharing and reuse, as well as best practices for minimizing fragmentation across the various platforms. We’ll also examine how to handle platform divergence and take advantage of varying device capabilities.

SESSION TOPICS
• Best practices on multi-platform development
• How to share the same codebase across platforms
• Use the language and tools you are already familiar with

Bio :
Claudio is a Software Architect, with a particular interest in maximizing the amount of work not done, by employing best software design practices. He has been working with the .NET Framework since version 1.0, and is currently involved in several open source Health Care IT initiatives. Technologies he works with on a daily basis include: C#, MVVM, Silverlight, WCF, Windows Identity Foundation and SOA.

Speaker: Jim Jackson

Topic: Building Windows 8 Apps in HTML, CSS and Javascript

RSVP: Meetup

Location: DoublePositive
1501 S. Clinton Street, Suite 1520
Baltimore, Maryland 21224

Date: Wednesday, October 17th, networking begins at 6:30

Abstract:
You’ve probably heard the hype about Windows 8 and the Windows App Store. You may be running the preview or release versions of Windows 8 and already understand what a modern Windows experience feels like. But what does it take to deliver that experience using Visual Studio 2012? The sites dev.windows.com and design.windows.com can help you get started learning the basics and there are a few published end-to-end example apps that can also be useful. But most of the published training materials and books available now cover only Xaml and C# while Microsoft’s stance is that you can put your current HTML, CSS and JavaScript skills to use building Windows 8 Apps too. How?

Bio :
Jim Jackson is the co-author of HTML5 for .NET Developers, available now at http://www.manning.com/jackson and available in print in mid-October. (Note: This book is NOT about developing HTML5 applications for Windows 8 but you can use the HTML, CSS and JavaScript skills you learn to build Windows 8 Apps.) Jim has worked on rich HTML5 web applications for clients like Vogue, Rolling Stone and Playboy and is currently building an HTML5 game for the Windows App Store. Jim will walk through the realities of working with HTML5 and JavaScript to build a rich client application. Some topics he will cover are the use of existing HTML5 JavaScript APIs like Canvas and IndexedDB as well as the paradigm shift necessary to build a completely asynchronous application.

Jim would also like to bring all attendees free beer and ice cream, Surface devices and tickets including airfare for you and a guest to the Microsoft Build 2013 conference in the Canary Islands. He’d like to but he won’t.

Speaker: Tronster Hartley

Topic: Game Engines

RSVP: Meetup

Location: 338 Clubhouse Road Hunt Valley, MD 21031

Date: Wednesday, September 19th, networking begins at 6:30

Abstract:
“Game Engines” are a type of middleware that game studios and simulations based business leverage to provide an excellent product at a reduced cost. Tronster will break down how there has come to be a proliferation of game engines in the billion dollar game industry, as well as explain how these expensive systems can easily be utilized by programmers familiar with Microsoft technologies.

Bio :
For over a decade, Tronster, a native Baltimore developer & electronic artist, has utilize Microsoft technologies in architecting solutions for Educational, Medical, and consumer based software. In recent years he’s been focused in the game development sector; having worked on EA’s “Command and Conquer” franchise, as well as lead the creation of the UI framework for Firaxis’s anticipated XBOX, PS3, and PC game “X-COM: Enemy Unknown.” When not working on a AAA title, Tronster is either teaching game development concepts at UB & UMBC, or is spending time building the local indie game scene with his own studio “Geek House Games”.

Speaker: Ashton M. Lamont

Topic: MVC 3 Razor with EXTJS 4 MVC (SENCHA)

RSVP: Meetup

Location: Dark Horse Saloon
2324 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD

Date: Wednesday, August 15th, networking begins at 6:30

Abstract:
I will demonstrate how to use EXTJS in an a Microsoft MVC environment. We will look at concepts around EXT DOM stores, models, controller, and views and how they serialize with ASP.net MVC.
In addition I will demonstrate Visual Studio Extensions related to JavaScript development. As well as going over how to use, Coffee, Less, and SASS(Compass) in Visual Studio to support EXTJS 4 Theming and development, and how this can be applied to any other CSS and JavaScript work

Bio :
Mr. Lamont has been developing professionally for over 15 years with a focus on large database development and acquisition software to be used in web applications. Most of his career has been in GIS(geographical information systems), where as a consultant he has worked for governments of all sizes. He has also worked for Rand McNally for their data management, online mapping, and print map teams. Mr. Lamont has transferred these skills into working in the educational & test publishing market, and now most recently to working in the online marketing/lead generation market.

He is Graduated of the University of Maine with a degree in Spatial Information Science & Engineering.
Mr. Lamont is skilled in a variety of development languages and varying platforms, with primary focuses with SQL Server, Oracle, C#, JavaScript (DOM), and HTML5 in a windows server environment.

Speaker: Pete Brown

Topic: Win8/XAML/Metro

RSVP: Meetup

Location: DoublePositive Marketing Group, Inc., 1501 S. Clinton Street, Suite 1520
Baltimore, Maryland 21224

Date: Wednesday, June 20th, networking begins at 6:30

Abstract:
Windows 8 introduces Metro Style applications. This session will provide an overview of what’s new and try to help put what it all means into perspective.

Bio :

Pete Brown is a XAML and Gadget guy at Microsoft, as well as a former Microsoft Silverlight MVP, INETA speaker, and RIA Architect. He’s a father of two, and in complaince with local laws, husband to one. When not trying to blow stuff up, or electrocute himself (or talk about himself in the third-person)

Pete focuses on the community around code that has nothing to do with a browser (Windows 8 XAML, WPF, Silverlight, .NET Micro Framework, Robotics, and more), with a particular focus on XAML and things that blink in the night. Pete has written two successful Silverlight books with Manning, and has a Windows 8 XAML book on the way. It will be amazing, and your purchase will help him afford replacements for the stuff he has blown up in the course of research.

From his first sprite graphics and custom character sets on the Commodore 64 to 3d modeling and design through to Silverlight, Surface, XNA, WPF, WinRT and more, Pete has always had a deep interest in programming, design, and user experience. His involvement in Silverlight goes back to the Silverlight 1.1 alpha application that he co-wrote and put into production in July 2007, and his WPF experience predates that. Pete has been programming for fun since 1984, and professionally since 1992.

Pete’s site and blog is at 10rem.net, and you can follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pete_brown

Please RSVP: Meetup

Speaker: Temesgen Meheret

Topic: Behavior Driven Development

Abstract:
The major challenge in software development is the effectiveness of the communication as information flows between the different stake holders; analysts, developers, testers and product owners. Also as application developers we have a tendency to focus more on the internals of our fine grained implementations.
Behavior Driven Development is a way of thinking that will help developers re-focus more on what matters most – the behavior of the application. The change is from thinking Inside-Out to Outside-In. This session will try to present how we can use BDD combined with Domain Driven Design concepts to build applications that meet our clients’ needs.

Bio :
Teme is a software engineer and Architect at Videology. He has extensive experience in building large scale web applications for different industries. He is very enthusiastic about what he does and loves to work with people who feel the same way.
“Do what is right and not just what works!”

Speaker:Terrance Brown

Topic: Team Foundation Server

Abstract:
Provide participants with a overview of Team Foundation Server (TFS) 2010.

Participants will be able to obtain knowledge of Version Control, Project Management and Administration within TFS.

Bio :
Terrance Brown is an astute businessman, pastor, and community activist. Mr. Brown is the CEO and President of TVCOFA Corporation – a company that focuses on informatics in the fields of public health, medicine, and education both nationally and globally. Under Mr. Brown’s leadership, TVCOFA Corporation has become a leader in the field, a certified vendor for Federal and State government, and a preferred vendor for several Fortune 500 companies.

Mr. Brown received his education in electrical engineering and computer science from Auburn University and later received a Information Technology (IT) Systems degree from University of Phoenix. He has lectured nationally on IT and public health informatics, and has received several awards for research to include the US Surgeon General Award for his work on Lung
Cancer from former President Bill Clinton. Mr. Brown also holds leadership positions with several non-profit organizations (NPO), and is a member of the Board of Directors as well as the Regional Executive Director for Jane’s House of Inspiration – a NPO focused on eliminating illicit drug use at the individual, family, and community levels. In addition, Mr. Brown is active in empowering inner-city and rural African-American youth and young adults in Maryland, Alabama, and Georgia. He helps them to embrace learning and to seek excellence as a means of overcoming poverty.

Mr. Brown is an outstanding mentor and counselor who is truly dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities realize their full potential for success and productivity.

RSVP: Meetup

Location:
Dark Horse Saloon
2324 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD

Date: Wednesday, May 30th, networking begins at 6:30

Level: Intermediate

Sponsors: LCG Technologies, Apex Systems, Inc.

Speaker:Dave Clausen, Geoff Snowman, Mike Wolf, Paul Tyng

Topic: HTML5

RSVP: Meetup

Location:
Dark Horse Saloon
2324 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD

Date: Wednesday, April 25th, networking begins at 6:30

Abstract:
This month we are having a panel discussion on HTML 5 and the various libraries that local experts are using to implement sites on both mobile and desktop platforms.

Panelists include :

• Dave Clausen of Cloud Patterns
• Paul Tyng of LocalUp
• Mike Wolf of Cynergy
• Geoff Snowman formerly of Microsoft

Bios :

Level: Intermediate

Sponsors: LCG Technologies