I'm kinda bummed that I was thinking a couple weeks ago how I haven't gotten sick in a while. And sure enough, I came down with a nasty cold/flu last weekend, that I'm just getting over. So I didn't go.

But a couple collegues went, and they overall liked it. I would have liked to have gone so we could split up the sessions, and and shared info. But overall they were happy with the event, and what they saw.

>A report back from LA event, not happy about the Server being only 1 year but I will be happy if get another copy of Vista Ultimate:
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>"Just got back from the LA event. Getting in was a nightmare. The registration was soooo slow and they just did not have enough people working it. With only minutes to go before the keynote speech the line was still snaking down the street outside the theatre round the corner and half way back up the street again. Eventually they delayed the start and let people in with instructions to register later. Chaotic!!
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>More importantly the giveaways included a flimsy laptop type bag "stuffed" with all the regular promo materials, Windows Server 2008 Enterprise (32bit & 64bit DVDs) with activation codes for a license lasting 365 days from activation date, Visual Studio 2008 Standard with activation key (full license it appears) and SQL Server 2008 Developer (32bit & 64bit DVDs) with a PIN number to get an activation code on-line (must apply before 6/2/08) but it also looks like a full license.
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>The bulky item promised is a very large hardback book just with glossy photos and biographies of people who use Microsoft products. Totally useless.
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>One gem in the promo material though was a "Not For Resale" copy of Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (32bit DVD only). Also says "Promotional Kit with Windows Live services including Windows Live OneCare Trial Edition". The OneCare trial is for 90 days and on a separate CD but nothing suggests that the Vista Ultimate license is time bombed and it refers to the regular license terms. Packet again includes a PIN to get the product key on-line.
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>Plus all the regular presentations and giveaways of pens and t-shirts at all the Microsoft and partner booths and may X-Box/WII giveaways but did not get any of those.... Oh, and a free sandwich and soda for lunch."
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>>>http://www.microsoft.com/heroeshappenhere/register/default.mspx
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>>I was wrong. They are giving away the full versions of the software. I'm registered here in Raleigh for May 2nd and have received my confirmation already. Thanks for finding this.
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>>I'm still unclear about the whole food thing though. You can purchase a cooler or something? Didn't quite get that part of it. Is it event-specific in that some do and some don't? It says in mine that food is not provided as it is a half-day event, but it runs from 7am to 5pm.
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>>UPDATE: Ok, it looks like the different tracks are broken up by morning and afternoon, so the Development one has registration at noon, not 7am.