Windows Summit 2010 Software Track Launched

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At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, I love Windows 7. Simply put, it is the best operating system I've used. (And, believe me; I've used my fair share.) Windows 7 is fast; Windows 7 is simple; Windows 7 is exactly what I want on my PC.

Now, putting my experience as a user aside, there's another reason why I love Windows 7: It's an incredibly powerful and feature-rich platform for developers. In short, Windows 7 makes it easy for developers to create engaging, user-friendly applications by providing familiar tools and rich development features that allow them to take advantage of the latest PC capabilities .

For the past couple of years, our team has worked hard to provide resources to help you understand and target Windows 7 from a developer's perspective, including events like Microsoft TechDays Canada and the Windows 7 Application Developer Tour. That stated, some of you were unable to attend these in-person events so I'd like to present you with an alternative; the Windows Summit 2010.

Windows Summit 2010 is a virtual event that's designed for folks who build devices, systems, and software for Windows 7. Earlier today, the event organizers took the wraps off the Software Technical Implementer track, which means you can start watching the sessions right now. Here's what you can expect:

Building applications that are easy to use, visually appealing, and offer high performance is a challenge that developers face every day. Innovative applications can greatly improve the user experience, empowering companies to differentiate their services and solutions. The Windows 7 platform makes it easy for developers to create engaging, user-friendly applications by providing familiar tools and rich development features that take advantage of the latest PC capabilities. The sessions in this track will guide you through the key developer advances in fundamentals, rich application experiences, and the best of Windows and the Web. Topics include: touch, Windows desktop, Libraries, the Windows Sensors and Location platform, Windows Error Reporting, and rich web applications using Internet Explorer 9.

The session list is quite impressive and features an equally-impressive list of speakers:

  • Software Track Kickoff (Dean Hachamovitch)
  • Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Kernel Changes (Mark Russinovich)
  • Integrating Your Applications With the Windows 7 Desktop to Simplify User Experiences (Yochay Kiriaty)
  • Windows Error Reporting as a Platform Advantage for Developers (Kevin Hill)
  • Empowering Users to Find, Visualize, and Organize Their Data with Libraries and the Explorer (Yochay Kiriaty)
  • Using the Sensor and Location Platform in Windows 7 (Kurt Hunter)
  • Unleashing the Latest Innovations in Modern Graphics Hardware with Windows 7 (Cale Hendrickson)
  • Windows 7 Ribbon Framework: The Next Generation User Experience for Presenting Commands in Windows Applications (Ryan Demopoulos)
  • Extending Battery Life by Creating Energy-Efficient Applications (Matthew Robben)
  • Improving System Performance by Creating Efficient Background Activities (Vikram Singh)
  • Building High-Performing Windows Applications by Using the Windows Performance Toolkit (Erik Holt)
  • Developing Multi-Touch Applications for Natural Experiences
  • Internet Explorer 9 Overview

These sessions (with the exception of "Developing Multi-Touch Applications for Natural Experiences" and "Internet Explorer 9 Overview") are available now. Watching them is easy; simple register and you'll be directed to page featuring these sessions (above) that you can watch at home or in the office. These pre-recorded sessions are streamed via Silverlight and are indexed by chapters, so you'll have an opportunity to jump to the sections that you care about. You can also download the associated Powerpoint slide decks or video files (i.e. WMV) for viewing at a later time.

Finally, for news and updates about the Windows Summit 2010, make sure to follow @WinSummit2010 on Twitter.