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日志


6月11日

The Transition Begins...

Whilst this blog has served me well, and I will blog here every now and then whilst still an Intern at Microsoft ... I have started the transition over to my new blog at Typepad.
 
My new blog can be found at http://paul-woods.typepad.com.  I will also be updating my domain (http://www.paul-woods.com) in the near future to point at my new blog.
 
For those curious... the main reason for moving my blog... I don't want to have a user name like 'ausmsintern' any more (as I am about to be a grown up (non-intern) very soon!)
 
Remember - to stay up to date, change your feed to http://feeds.feedburner.com/paul-woods/
 
 
 
6月9日

Are you looking for a Technical Sales and Marketing Professional?

As mentioned before... in exactly 5 weeks (thats 840 hours) I will be sitting in a pub somewhere in Brisbane (probably the Belgian Beer Cafe) celebrating and commiserating the end of my fantastic 12 month internship at Microsoft.
 
Whilst I have been talking with a few organisations regarding my next career move, if you are (or know of) any organisation looking for a passionate technologist, with a flair for sales and marketing, and an extensive network of contacts at Microsoft... now is the time for us to sit down and have a coffee! (I might even shout you the coffee).
 
Shoot me an email (t-pwoods@microsoft.com)
 
 
Paul W
 
(remember - subscribe to my new feed - http://feeds.feedburner.com/paul-woods)

ACTION REQUIRED: Subscribe to the new feed

Whilst my first stab at blogging at MSN Spaces has been great... I am now looking for more features  and customisability in my blogging engine.  With my last day at Microsoft now only 5 weeks away... I am preparing to retire my 'ausmsintern' blog and begin a new blog, on a new blogging engine (ie not MSN Spaces).
 
I encourage all my loyal readers out there (all 3 of you!) to please make sure you update your subscription to the feedburner feed below.
 
 

 http://feeds.feedburner.com/paul-woods

 

Cheers,

 

Paul W

Life after the BizTalk 2006 Beta Exam...

... is not too bad.  It was reasonable for a beta exam.  I would say 50% of the questions I was thinking to myself "geez is it really that easy", and the other 50% i was challenged.  I am pretty confident I have a slight chance of passing :)
 
I guess we will know in 8 weeks time
6月7日

Off to take the BizTalk 2006 Beta Exam...

... from what I have heard there will be lots on the Business Rules Engine, and lots on Business Activity Monitoring (my favourite part of BizTalk!)
 
Will let you know how I go

BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Announced

Great news overnight for all you Business Process Management folk (like me)... we have announced BizTalk Server 2006 R2.... to be released sometime in the first half of 2007.  What do you get with it?
  • Native EDI Support
  • Native AS2 Support
  • Services for developing and managing RFID solutions!
  • Increased Support for WCF and WF (Windows Communication Foundation, and Windows Workflow Foundation)
  • Plus more!

You can check out the press release on Yahoo!

 

If you want to get on the Technology Adopter Program (TAP)... http://connect.microsoft.com

 

 

5月22日

Developing and Debugging an Integration Application (70-235/71-235)

Hi all,
 
The next 70-235 / 71-235 Virtual Study Group is on tomorrow night (Tuesday) 23 May 2006 from 9PM -> 10PM AEST (GMT+10)...
 
The topic: Developing and Debugging an Integration Application
 
 
 
  Subject: 70-235 Virtual Study Group
  Meeting URL: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/microsoft/join
  Meeting ID: 4R5SZ4
  Role: Attendee
  Audio Conferencing (Toll-free): +61 (1800) 202713 
  Participant Code: 6115108
 
 
Cheers,
 
Paul W
5月20日

Resources for Exam 71-235 / 70-235 - Planning a BizTalk Application

Here are a few resources that will help when studying for the BizTalk 2006 Technology Specialist Beta Exam (70-235/71-235... Specicially around Planning a BizTalk Server 2006 Application
 
 
More resources to come over the next week or two :)
5月15日

70-235 BizTalk 2006 Exam Beta

... from Mick Badran... I am booked in for Wednesday 7 June.
 
I am thinking of putting together a virtual study group for this exam... shoot me an email if you are interested - details to follow soon!
 
Paul W
 
 
 
 
"Hey folks,

Have a go and good luck - know the documentation!!!

here's the details on the exam - my time is on May 24th!

-------------------------

Subject: Invitation: Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 Beta Exam
Announcing:

Beta Exam 71-235: TS: Developing Business Process and Integration
Solutions Using Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006

You are invited to Exam 71-235 in its beta version. As a benefit to you
for demonstrating your expertise by passing specific Microsoft
certification exams or by other means, this beta exam is offered to you
free. This beta exam will not be offered to the general public, and is
only available to a certain number of candidates. Each seat will be
assigned on a first come first serve basis.

By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the
Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which
is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend
on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as
we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft
certifications.

**Registration Information**

Note: You will be given four hours to complete the beta exam. Please
plan accordingly.

Testing is held at Prometric and Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide,
although this exam may not be available in all countries. You must
register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam. Contact your exam
provider for seat availability. (Please note: all testing centers will
have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.)

Please read carefully the following registration information as the
schedules vary depending on which testing center you choose:

Registration begins:

May 6, 2006

Beta exam period runs:

May 24 - June 7, 2006

Please use the following promotional code when registering for the exam:
TS235

These beta periods are subject to change; please check the exam
preparation guides for the most up-to-date information:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-235.asp

To register for this exam or for information about testing centers in
your area, call:

*       Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)
*       VUE: 800 TEST REGistration (800-837-8734)

Outside the U.S./Canada, please visit the following Web sites for
registration information:

*       Prometric:
http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp
<http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp
*       VUE:
http://www.vue.com/ms/ <http://www.vue.com/ms/

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Information on the World Wide Web

For more information, visit the MCP Web site at
http://www.microsoft.com/mcp/, write to MCPHelp@microsoft.com or call
800-636-7544.

Specific pages that answer some frequently asked questions are listed
below.

What is a beta exam?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/faq/procedures.asp

Where can I learn more about the registration process?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/register/default.asp

How do I prepare for this exam?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-235.asp

When will my beta exam results be available?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/faq/procedures.asp#D

Where can I learn more about the beta exam invitation process?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/status/beta.asp

How can I learn more about the new and improved item types?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/faq/innovations.asp.

Where can I learn more about the MCSE on Windows Server 2003
certification?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/default.asp"


 

5月9日

Bye-Bye XP & 2003, Hello Vista & 2007!

Ok…  at work I need to demo Vista and Office 2007 a few times in the next month or two… so to get right up to speed I have taken the big step to blow away my PC at home, and have installed both Vista and Office 2007.  All I can say is… Wow – this stuff rocks!

I am loving Aero Glass, I am loving the Ribbon UI.  Make sure you come along to one of my Demo’s in Brisbane over the next few months to learn more about my favourite features!   I will be demoing at the Microsoft for Partner Roadshow on 22 May, the Microsoft Enterprise Product Roadmap sessions on June 6, and at the Brisbane Infrastructure Group sometime in June / July.

The challenge tomorrow – getting Vista and Office 2007 on my Dell C640 Laptop at work!!!  I will keep you posted!

5月7日

Richard Carleton passes away

Sad news today, one of my favourite television reporters, Richard Carleton, has passed away... fittingly doing what he did best, asking the hard questions at the Beaconsfield Gold Mine.
 
Normally I wouldn't post this kind of thing, but it still astounds me how powerful the internet is today.  Within 20 minutes of the unfortunate event, his entry on Wikipedia had been updated with the bad news.
 
60 Minutes will never be the same.  He will be missed.
5月4日

A Short History of BPM

Sandy over at ebizQ is running with a great series of posts describing the history of Business Process Management.  Interesting to see how BPM has evolved over the years... especially the intersection of human to human workflow, and enterprise application integration.
 
Check out A Short History of BPM.  I am looking forward to the next instalments!
 

Business Process Management: Never Rest!

 
Great article by Andrew Spanyi over at Intelligent Enterprise.  Discusses the reasons why organisations seem to forget the 'management' part of Business Process Management.  More importantly, it makes it perfectly clear why not managing, and not improving your business processes is rediculous!
 
Must read for any organisation looking at streamlining business, automating, or looking for smarter ways to do business.  Just make sure you keep on improving those processes!
4月30日

Squidoo - The World of BizTalk Server 2006

Had a few hours free today, and started experimenting with Squidoo.  Squidoo allows you to create a 'lens' which focuses on specific content, which you can customise!
 
As I live and breath BizTalk, I thought I would put together a Squidoo Lens around BizTalk.  And here it is - The World of BizTalk Server 2006 - full of resources, blogs, usergroups and webcasts which every BizTalk professional needs to know about.
 
Do you have any other resources that need to be in the lens?  Let me know!!!
4月21日

Dimension Data / K2.net Business Process Automation Event - in Brisbane

Heads up for everyone in Brisbane interested in Business Process Automation.
 
Dimension Data and K2.net are holding a session here at the Microsoft office.  Dimension Data worked with K2.net during the Spotlight on Business Process and Integration program that we held here in Queensland recently, and produced some great results!
 

8700 pages of BizTalk Server 2006 Goodness

Don't sit around waiting for a BizTalk Server 2006 book to get started on this great product - especially when the product team have already put together this great resource to learn from.
 
You can download the PDF version of the BizTalk Server 2006 help file here:
 

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=8F3EC693-2865-4B85-8455-745511EA4267&displaylang=en

 

Mick Badran highlights how good this is!

 "Earlier today Paul Woods emailed me telling me about how the BTS Team had converted the help files in PDF format!!!

Sensational I thought! Usually when I create VHDs to keep the size down I dont install VSNET2005 help. Of course BTS relies on this help to be installed so we get in context help.
...the wheels fall off....or I go online.....

Now with the PDF version - how good!!!!"

 So get downloading and start reading - or at least keep it handy as your first point of call when you need a hand!

 

4月9日

The Personal MBA... MBA 2.0?

I have been wanting to enroll in an MBA for quite a while now... in fact ever since I graduated from University.  For me I have a few reasons why I want to:
  1. I have what some would describe as an 'Entreprenuerial Spirit'... always analysing every opportunity to see what I can make of it.
  2. Genuine interest in continual professional development
  3. Genuine interest in the world of Business
  4. It looks good on your resume

No - #4 is not my primary driver!  I just love learning about how the wheels of business turn, and if I can apply that knowledge to my chosen profession - then I am happy.

 
All the local universities around where I live (two of which have very well respected MBA programs) enforce a policy that you need two years work experience before you enroll.  This has stopped me from going down the path of more student debt in the past (if I enrolled my debt from undergraduate studies and the MBA would be around AUD$50K!!! OUCH).  Now that I have past that milestone - I have been researching which Business school will be best for me.  You know what my answer is?  None of them!
 
I came to the realisation that attending a graduate business school you are doing the following:
  1. Forking out the cash to get in the door
  2. Forking out the cash to buy textbooks that are hardly used in class
  3. Forking out the cash to get to campus a few times a week, parking etc
  4. Forking out the cash to be taught somthing, as opposed to actively learning somthing.

I thought to myself... in this age of the Internet, Web 2.0 etc... with great business minds sharing their knowledge through blogs and podcasts - why go to university for that piece of paper?  After scouring the net for a week or so I found some like minded people who have already begun this journey.

Personal MBA is a group of enthusiastic business minded people around the world challenging the traditional business school.  By fostering discussion around a core book list (which covers the subject matter of a traditional MBA course), as well as setting each other challenges to apply the knowledge... the group work together to build the same traditional business foundation, but without the certificate, and without the pricetag!

 

I like to think of Personal MBA as MBA 2.0... or should that be MBAr?

 

Paul.

 

PS.  I am starting a Personal MBA study group here in Australia and New Zealand.  If you are interested reply to this post or send me an email.

 

 

 

4月8日

The 7 Deadly Sins of Business Process Management

I have been reading Sandy Kemsley's "Column 2" blog for a few months now...  and she has been posting some great information about Business Process Mangement.  Her recent posts on the Gartner BPM conference have been very comprehensive - and saved me a trip to the US!
 
Her post on the 7 Deadly Sins of BPM should be top of mind for anyone in this field...  Do the following at your peril!
  • Don't model your current process
  • Don't understand people and system requirements
  • Treat BPM as an IT problem
  • Focus on "architecture" in SOA rather than "service", which ensures that the business doesn't care about the project
  • Commit unnatural acts with existing applications
  • Hardwire your BPM application
  • Implement automation [of low-value processes] only

Paul

4月7日

My first play with a UMPC (Origami)...

Yesterday whilst I was at an internal conference down in Sydney, we had a Partner expo session.  Samsung had a booth, and as I walked past I caught somthing out of my peripheral vision - OMG! ORIGAMI!!
 
According to the guy from Samsung, I am the 7th person in the Southern Hemisphere to use their UMPC/Origami device named Q1.  It is one of only 3 in the world, and arrived from Korea just 2 hours earlier!
 
All I can say is... UMPC's rock!  The Samsung Q1 is perfectly weighted, the screen was crisp and clear, and I love the ergonomic design so your fingers don't slip from the back of the unit whilst using the thumb pads.  Speaking of the thumb keyboard - It felt a bit wierd at first, but after about 2 or 3 minutes I really started to pick up speed.
 
Only problem with the Samsung Q1 is that I want one so bad, I am going to have to negotiate an increase in my gadget budget from my wife :)
 
 
4月5日

Back in Sydney again...

... I am back in Sydney for 2.5 days.  Today I dropped past the office at North Ryde to catch up with some of the Intern crowd, and my favourite product managers Bondy and KatieMac!  (both of whom love BizTalk just as much as me!).
 
To my suprise though, I dropped past our DPE group (Frank Arrigo and co) and there was no one there!  No trademark loud voices :)  What is going on Frank, everyone take an early mark today?
 
Staying at the Radisson in the Sydney CBD... getting screwed for a Broadband connection.  One email I sent before with a 3mb attachment (unfortunatly I had to send it!) cost me $24.95!!!!!!!  (yes, after the $3.90 flagfall it is 1c per KB!) Luckily it is capped at that price now, so I can stay connected at no extra cost for the next 24 hours.  But seriously, with rates like that - we should be in the Hotel industry!
 
Tomorrow and Friday I am out at Darling Harbour for an internal training conference... should be fun!
 
Paul