| Microsoft seeks TechEd feedback |
Jun. 11, 2008
 Software Architect Mike Hall has blogged asking for feedback on the Windows Embedded content at last week's TechEd 2008 conference, where in addition to launching Windows Embedded Standard (WES), the Windows Embedded team presented three pre-conference tutorials and 25 sessions on Microsoft's embedded operating systems.
Microsoft's TechEd Developers Conference has traditionally drawn enterprise developers. However, this year's event, Jun. 3-6 in Orlando, became a forum for embedded development content after Microsoft last January cancelled MEDC (Mobile and Embedded Developers Conference), which was originally scheduled for May in Las Vegas. According to an email sent at that time, Microsoft planned to re-focus its embedded event efforts on TechEd, and on the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) West, held this year on Apr. 14-18 in San Jose.
As planned, Microsoft's Windows Embedded Business unit kept busy at both events. At ESC, for example, it announced plans to rename Windows XP Embedded, Windows CE, and Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS). It also announced free board support package certification, and low-cost hardware/software bundles -- 1,000 of them being given away at the show. (For more details, see our earlier coverage, here.)
At TechEd, it formally launched Windows Embedded Standard and unveiled an online Community Technology Preview (CTP) download. It also presented its 2008 Windows Embedded Partner Excellence Awards for North and South America. In addition, a special one-day tutorial event held on Jun. 2, immediately prior to TechEd, focused on helping developers port Windows CE to new hardware.
 Even so, the loss of MEDC apparently still rankles some third-party developers and some Microsoft employees alike. Hall (pictured, right), writes "TechEd isn't a typical embedded developers conference, because the typical TechEd audience is enterprise developers. Having 25 embedded sessions [there] is not a replacement for MEDC."
Hall adds, "The embedded events team really has a challenging balancing act for session content at TechEd. On the one hand we want the traditional MEDC attendee to come and get the depth/breadth content they are used to, while on the other hand we need to present introductory-level content for the typical TechEd crowd so they can see how to take their knowledge into the embedded space."
In his posting, Hall suggested one possible solution: posting introductory content online in advance of TechEd, so that sessions at the event itself can concentrate on more advanced material. But, he also posted the following queries for developers:- How did you feel about the embedded content at this year's TechEd -- what could be improved?
- Would you like more online video/tutorial/lab content?
- Would you prefer recorded video content or live webcasts (so you can ask questions)?
- Do you prefer technology-focused sessions (multimedia stack architecture, WSD architecture, etc.) or solution-based content (building a media device using CE 6.0, or building a thin client using Windows Embedded Standard, etc.)?
- If you didn't go to TechEd, then why not?
The posting has so far attracted a variety of comments. For example, on the pro-TechEd side, "Walter" posted, "I guess I was the target audience for moving MEDC to TechEd. I'm an enterprise developer with no previous embedded experience, and now I'm psyched to built my first embedded." Lawrence Ricci agreed, writing, "We all miss MEDC, but frankly I really like the opportunity to learn more about other Microsoft technologies."
On the anti-TechEd side of the ledger, Dean Ramsier countered, "There simply is no way to deliver the kind of content that was at MEDC with only a fraction of the time slots available and a much less experienced audience. My vote is to bring back MEDC, but I have a feeling that isn't under consideration."
To read Mike Hall's posting and chime in with comments of your own, visit his blog, here.
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