Let's Take a Road Trip to the Cloud.

19th March 2015 // View as Webpage // Haven't subscribed yet? Join us!
msdn flash update for kiwi developers
MVA Free Online Learning \@msdevNZ MSDN NZ Blog MSDN NZ Site
What can Azure do for Developers? You probably know that Azure can host and run Virtual Machines. Perhaps you also know that you can deploy Linux on Azure too, e.g. CoreOS, Suse, Ubuntu. Azure didn’t start out as an Infrastructure-as-a-Service hosting platform however; that capability was added later. Azure was initially built as a cloud platform to enable developers to build and scale applications that span Mobile, Cloud, and on-premises. The Azure cloud platform can supply you, as a developer, a set of ready-to-consume managed services so that you can focus on building great functionality instead of fiddling with infrastructure. Because these managed services are able to be provisioned with a few clicks, it’s easy to get them up and running leaving you more time to concentrate on building features into your app. Building app for iOS, Android, or Windows Phone? Azure Mobile Services can take the hard work out of things like broadcast push messaging, offline app data sync, and social integration. Azure Mobile Services has cross platform APIs that you can use to provide a streamlined experience across multiple platforms – streamlined for both Developers as well as End Users. Got some data you need to store? Azure has you covered. There are a number of data services ranging from fully managed Azure SQL Database, to DocumentDB – a highly-scalable NoSQL document database service, to Redis Cache for high throughput, low latency data access. How do you manage your application code, or measure application performance when running in the cloud? You can be up and running in minutes using Visual Studio Online and you can even integrate your favourite tools like Git. Plugging Application Insights into your app can give you visibility over performance and errors, right down to the block of code in your language of choice. There are many more services and building blocks in Azure. Find out more from the free developer jumpstart courses available on Microsoft Virtual Academy or head along to one of the upcoming MSDN NZ DevCamps in Auckland, Christchurch, or Wellington. Head on over and create your free trial with NZ$250 of credit to get you started, or activate your MSDN benefits to get free monthly azure credits worth up to NZ$2500/yr, and get developing!
Regan Murphy Technical Evangelist Microsoft New Zealand MSDN Twitter NZ DX YouTube Dirk Linkedin Profile MSDN NZ Facebook
Highlights from Build

Microsoft Student Accelerator Kicks off for 2015 at the MSA Showcase.

Microsoft NZ celebrated student innovation on the 9th of March at the Auckland Town Hall, kicking off Microsoft Student Accelerator for 2015. Registrations for the programme are now open to students, supporters, and employers - new entrants welcome! Check out the full summary of the event, and have a look at the video to get a glimpse of the difference MSA is making at high school, tertiary and employer levels.

Build 2015.

Can't wait for Build 2015? Brush up on your knowledge of the Windows 10 universal app platform to prep for the big show. Join Build online April 29th - May 1st for live video streaming, and follow \@BLDWIN for updates on the event.

Diagnose and Debug Your Applications in Depth with the Support Portal.

Join your guide Cory Fowler as he talks to the product teams in Redmond as well as the web community. The Support Portal is a Site Extension which provides a set of capabilities which help a developer Diagnose and Debug by providing an aggregate of the IIS and FREB logs.

Updates to ASP.NET 5 Yeoman Generators for Beta 3.

Microsoft Developer Network has updated the ASP.NET 5 yeoman generators to have the latest content based on ASP.NET 5 beta 3. Jeffrey Fritz covers the updates which are now available, and more information is available here.

Apps
Have a Windows app project on the side? Show it off! Share it with the rest of the community in the Kiwi Windows Apps Facebook group or send us an email to nzdev\@outlook.com.
Download ArtRage Download Blackcaps
Download MVA Lite Download Major Mayhem
Events

eResearch.

23rd, 24th & 25th March (QUEENSTOWN) eResearch NZ provides a place for anyone in the research sector to share works in progress and outcomes. This year, eResearch is going to Queenstown, set against the stunning views of Lake Wakatipu. Find out more.

Microsoft Developer Cloud Essentials.

24th March (AKL), 26th March (CHCH) At this DevCamp you will learn about some of the best features and services of Microsoft Azure and how to build and move a variety of apps to the cloud. You will see how to build web sites, mobile applications, and enterprise-class applications.

.NET User Group Meetup (Ellerslie).

25th March (AKL) Join us for some async goodness. Jordan Morris will present a simple and unapologetically-prescriptive set of guidelines for writing stable asynchronous code using the TPL and async/await keywords.

NodeConf Christchurch.

28th & 29th March (CHCH) Explore Node.JS' event driven architecture, in a city of event driven architecture.

Startup Weekend.

10th - 12th April (WEL) Startup Weekend is where entrepeneurs, developers, and designers get together to form new businesses in a 54-hour marathon of inspiration, perspiration, collaboration, and fun! We attract people with all skill levels in a friendly, welcoming, yet challenging environment. Full details on the event are available here.

Road to the Cloud.

16th April (AKL) Business leaders of independent software vendor organisations (ISVs) face increasing challenges in today's software market. Join this event to learn from your peers in the industry that have leveraged the benefits of the cloud to build a successful business. This event is focused on business strategy, and is not a technical learning event.

Microsoft Developer Cloud Essentials.

20th April (WEL), 29th April (AKL) At this DevCamp you will learn about some of the best features and services of Microsoft Azure and how to build and move a variety of apps to the cloud. You will see how to build web sites, mobile applications, and enterprise-class applications.

Codemania.

24th April (AKL) Codemania is for the passionate software developer. Get inspired by some amazing speakers at the conference, or attend their valuable workshops. There is plenty to see and learn!

Learn

Successful developers are always upgrading their skills. Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) offers online Microsoft training delivered by experts. Watch videos, download PowerPoint slides and test yourself as you learn at absolutely no cost. If you want to learn something different, head over to MVA here! Don't forget, the MVA Lite app is now available, so you can now learn anywhere at anytime! Here are the courses your Microsoft Technical Evangelists recommend this week:

Practical Performance Tips to Make Your HTML/JavaScript Fast.

Want to maximise the performance of your modern websites and apps with JavaScript and HTML5? This Web Development Wednesdays course has the strategies, tips, and tricks you need, along with helpful demos and best practice guidelines.

Windows 10 Technical Preview Fundamentals.

Be prepared for Windows 10 by getting familiar with the fundamentals. Learn about new UI enhancements, find out how management and deployment is evolving, and hear about how new security enhancements in Windows 10 can help your organisation respond to the modern security threat landscape.

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.

Not familiar with Microsoft Azure? This course will give you the foundations to begin your cloud journey. Join Bob Tabor as he delivers the first four courses that teach you the fundamentals of Microsoft Azure.

Resources
Download Visual Studio 2015 Today Download a free 1-month Microsoft Azure trial today
msdn flash for developers
© 2015 Microsoft Corporation Terms of Use ::: Trademarks Microsoft respects your privacy. To learn more, please read our online Privacy Statement. If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter any longer, click here to unsubscribe. To set your contact preferences for other Microsoft communications click here. The Privacy Officer // Microsoft New Zealand Ltd, PO Box 8070 Symonds St, Auckland 1150, New Zealand