Author Archive

  • Don’t Forget The Human Factor

    Date: 2009.09.07 | Category: netbooks, setup, tech•ed 2009 | Response: 3

    Netbooks ready for collection

    I woke up at 4:00am this morning in a cold sweat. And I haven’t slept since. In the wee hours of the morning my brain, as is its want, was mulling a worst-case scenario: “What if we got the image or imaging wrong. How are we ever going to re-image these 2575 machines?” Read the rest of this entry »

  • Closing out the week that was

    Date: 2009.09.04 | Category: setup, tech•ed 2009 | Response: 1

    After a long week, Jorke Odolphi, Ben Parker, David Haysom, David Connors, Jackie, Adam and the night and day shifts have completed the Netbook imaging. We are leaving a skeleton setup for the MDT2010 team to have a look at the setup, and the custom scripts we created. As imaging this number of machines is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime event: real world data is gold.

    There will be a time, after TechEd, where we triage our original planning: time, budget, hand-offs, tools and techniques. As a Quality Manager at one stage in my working life: project review, documenting them and absorbing learnings are critical.

    On a lighter note this Friday: here are two youtubes for your viewing pleasure:

  • From Sydney to Reality

    Date: 2009.09.03 | Category: netbooks, setup, tech•ed 2009 | Response: 5

    I’ve just landed on the Gold Coast, dumped by bags in the hotel room and walked to the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

    After meeting Jack Morton’s Patrick, and donning a hi-vis vest – its into the Technical Learning Centre to witness the setup of the 2575 HP Mini-notes/netbooks.

    There are about 13-14 long trestle tables, each with and average of 20 machines laid out. 8 staff are out and about unwrapping each box, putting it on the table, and initiating the Windows 7 TechEd image. This is a sight to behold. It feels somewhat like an Industrial Revolution-era factory. A study in time and motion.

    Time is critical now. We cannot delay TechEd, nor stop the setup of the Technical Learning Centre – so its all hands to the wheel to complete the imaging tonight. Being a production process that is now in production, and costing per hour – it is way too late to change anything. Either the image, the process or technology involved in the imaging.

    To give you a vision of what is going on – here is a quick youtube I created within 10 minutes of arrival.

  • TechEd setup, 2009

    Date: 2009.09.01 | Category: setup, tech•ed 2009 | Response: 1

    TLC_build2_LR

    Empty trestle tables, waiting for PCs in the Technical Learning Centre Read the rest of this entry »

  • JeffA asks: What Do You Want on Your Netbook?

    Date: 2009.08.17 | Category: netbooks, tech•ed 2009 | Response: 2

    Over on the Linkedin TechEd group, Jeff Alexander asks “We are close to finishing the Netbook Image for TechEd Australia. Get you suggestions for inclusions this week. What would you like to see in the image?”

    Pop over and have your say.

    At this stage we should note we leaving the Netbooks open for you to install whatever you like; Microsoft or non-Microsoft. These are your machines – and we’d love you to give Windows 7 RTM a really good test.

  • Friday Funniez

    Date: 2009.08.07 | Category: funny, tech•ed 2009 | Response: 1

    We are 22 working days out from TechEd Australia. We have a warehouse full of HP Mini-notebooks, a deployment plan, a committed team and a tank full of gas. Oh, and Windows 7 RTM is now available for MSDN/Technet subscribers.

    All of this said, the following LOLCAT appeared to me today. Don’t panic. There can be no delays.

    funny pictures of cats with captions
    see more Lolcats and funny pictures

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