Thanks for a Great IPUGD

Update 3/28/2012 – Video recording links below…

Thanks to everyone who participated in the first-even International PowerShell User Group Day!

We hope you’re charged up with the power and opportunity that user groups offer, and that you’re already making plans for your next – or first! – local user group meeting.

Thanks to all of our presenters: Scripting Guy Ed Wilson, MVP Don Jones, podcaster Jonathan Walz, MVP Mike Pfeiffer, and Emcee Jason Helmick. Thanks to our prize sponsors, too, including SAPIEN Technologies, Idera, and Interface Technical Training.

Until next time!

Video links for IPUGD

part 1: http://youtu.be/c_qw6q-XbmI
part 2: http://youtu.be/WXOeP4nyEck
part 3: http://youtu.be/Uda4TuTNx_o

IPUGD Continues with the USA…

At 3pm PDT we’ll launch our second IPUGD live webcast, continuing our International PowerShell User Group Day! User groups should connect to the meeting prior to 3pm PDT, using the URL e-mailed to your user group leader. Individuals are welcome to connect at http://itpro.concentratedtech.com/ipugd.php shortly before the show beings at 3pm PDT.

Joining us: PowerShell MVP Don Jones, Microsoft “Scripting Guy” Ed Wilson, PowerScripting Podcast host Jonathan Walz, Exchange MVP (and PowerShell fan) Mike Pfeiffer, and PowerShell fan Jason Helmick.

Don will be reprising the announcement of his new PowerShell Video Training Library, outlining some of the new video updates that will be introduced into the Library over the next few days. IPUGD participants will have a chance to win a 1-year pass to the Library, and will be offered a 50% discount on monthly and annual passes. It’s the perfect way to nail PowerShell – and get ready for v3 (we’ll save those details for Don’s IPUGD presentation)!

The presentation is being hosted through Interface Technical Training’s RemoteLive technology, the same system that lets you attend Don Jones’ 5-day PowerShell MasterClass from almost anywhere in the world! Visit http://InterfaceTT.com for more information and class schedules.

Why User Groups?

User groups have long been an important part of the technology ecosystem – although most IT pros (e.g., admins) don’t participate.

They should.

A user group is a way to have local colleagues who can help you get through problems, learn new technologies, and connect with the larger community. A user group is a big part of the difference between having a job and a career. A user group helps you network, helps you get that new job, and helps you cement the one you have.

Don’t have a PowerShell user group in your area? Start one! Work with your local Microsoft office to identify other MS customers who might be interested. The local office can often provide meeting space, too, along with presentation tools like projectors and Internet connections. Check out http://powershellgroup.org to connect with other user group leaders and get suggestions and resources.

User groups also give you a bigger voice – kinda like a business association. You can speak to companies like Microsoft, to third-party vendors, and even to book publishers, with more authority. You’ll bring more attention to your shared problems, and get solutions and answers faster.

Developers are awash in user groups, but admins take relatively little advantage of them. PowerShell is a chance to change that. With its deep hooks into everything Microsoft, these days, PowerShell user groups bring you a greater cross-section of exposure, of influence, and of opportunity.

Yes, a user group is usually something you have to do in your precious free time, usually after work. That means time away from the family, and that’s a big sacrifice, no question. But the investment pays dividends: You’ll be better-informed, better-connected, better-educated, and better-prepared. You’ll start turning that job into a career, and becoming a true IT professional – not just the guy who clicks the buttons and reboots the servers.

Microsoft “Scripting Guy” Ed Wilson: Here’s Why You Want to Learn PowerShell

One great part about user groups is that they help you learn… Microsoft’s “Scripting Guy,” Ed Wilson, joined IPUGD to explain why you want to learn PowerShell – and offers some great demos that user groups can use to bring newcomers into the fold. If you didn’t make our 12pm PDT show, drop in for our 3pm or 6pm shows (limited to first 90 users – so sign in on time!)

Individual Access to IPUGD Now Available!

We’ve gotten an individual access URL - http://bit.ly/FPSpvZ – and you can use it for our Noon, 3pm, or 6pm (all times PDT) shows! Join INTERNATIONAL POWERSHELL USER GROUP DAY and see Ed Wilson, Don Jones, Jason Helmick, Jonathan Walz, and more!

The URL will only work for about 90 people – first come, first served. After that we’ll hit our connect limit and you’ll be denied :( . We ARE recording for later on-demand rebroadcast… but if you can get in live, DO IT!!!

Individual Access Coming – Stay Tuned!

For all of you not lucky enough to have a local PowerShell user group, you’ll still have a chance to participate in International PowerShell User Group Day! Prior to our 6pm (PDT) show, we’ll be posting (right here) an access URL for individuals; only the first 90 or so people will be able to get in, but it’s something!

The BEST way to participate is to get with a user group that’s joining us on the live call – only user groups will be eligible for prizes. But the individual access will let those bereft of a user group see our great speakers, including Jonathan Walz, Ed Wilson, and Don Jones!

Stay tuned: We’ll have the URL here, and Don will be tweeting it @concentrateddon as soon as we have the URL available. Again, that’ll be for our 6pm (PDT) show. Our Noon (PDT) and 3pm (PDT) shows will remain available only to user groups joining us live from their own meetings.

UPDATE: We’ve got it all set up. In order to ensure our participating user groups are able to connect, we’ll be posting the access URL just after 6pm PDT. So if you’re not with a user group, but would like to participate, set an alarm and check back here just after 6pm PDT. We’ll have a new post (not an update to this one) with the access URL. Thanks!

IPUGD Starts Soon!

We’re running our tech checks – Don Jones, Jason Helmick, and Mike Pfeiffer are in the room; we’ve got Jon Walz dialed in and Microsoft’s Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, has just checked in. IPUGD starts soon – our first live webcast will begin at noon US Pacific time, going out to our European PowerShell user groups. Stay tuned – and make sure you’re hooked up with a PowerShell group that’s participating in IPUGD!

Sapien Technology sponsors IPUGD!

The folks at Sapien Technologies are helping to make IPUGD a success.  Sapien has always supported the user groups and the PowerShell community.  This event is no different!

We will be giving out prizes during the event, and Sapien has generously added to the list. So, thanks to Sapien we will also have:

  • Copies of PrimalScript and PrimalForms
  • eBooks “Windows PowerShell 2.0 TFM” by Don Jones and Jeffery Hicks, “Managing Active Directory with Windows PowerShell 2.0” by Jeffery Hicks, “Managing VMware Infrastructure with Windows PowerShell” by Hal Rottenberg
  • And discount codes to the Store!

If your a user group owner, register for the March 19th IPUGD event today!

Thanks Sapien!