You read correctly, folks.  By popular demand and a highly successful Vista Loadfest in 2006 we’re announcing our Windows 7 “Loadfest”.  What’s a “Loadfest”?  Well, a “Loadfest” is essentially an opportunity for several of you geeks to get together, bring your machines and get some hands-on experience loading a product on your own machine.

It was a no-brainer choosing the product for our “Loadfest” – Windows 7.  What? haven't heard of the buzz going on in the blogosphere about Windows 7?  Join us on Thursday March 19^th, 2009 at Parkwood Four, 500 E. 96^th St. for a few hours of fun, geek camaraderie and pizza/drinks.  Detailed information is included below – we are limited to the capacity of this event, so please register by going here.  We’ll confirm your participation and hold a spot for you on the 19^th. 

vPro Presentation - Notebook and desktop PCs with Intel® vPro™ technology enable IT to take advantage of hardware-assisted security and manageability capabilities that enhance their ability to maintain, manage, and protect their business PCs. And with the latest IT management consoles from Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) with native Intel vPro technology support, IT can now take advantage of enhanced features to manage notebooks over a wired or corporate wireless network- or even outside the corporate firewall through a wired LAN connection.

PCs with Intel vPro technology integrate robust hardware-based security and enhanced maintenance and management capabilities that work seamlessly with ISV consoles. Because these capabilities are built into the hardware, Intel vPro technology provides IT with the industry's first solution for OS-absent manageability and down-the-wire security even when the PC is off, the OS is unresponsive, or software agents are disabled.

Presenter: Brandon King is a 13 year Intel veteran responsible for technical account management of the premiere accounts in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.  Brandon received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University in 1990 and began work for The Kroger Co. as a Network Manager.  He joined Intel as a Technical Marketing Engineer for the Systems Management Division and was responsible for product direction and execution for Intel’s client management division.  Brandon became the Territory Manager for Intel’s software division, managing the Great Lakes region.  Later Brandon drove next generation architectures such as RFID and Grid/Cloud computing as an Industry Transformation Architect.  In 2005, Brandon joined Intel’s Digital Health Group representing Intel’s complete product portfolio.

Agenda:

5:30pm-6:00pm: Social Hour, Pizza / Soda (Lobby/Conference Center)

6:00pm-6:15pm: Loadfest overview (Conference Center)

6:15pm-7:45pm: Group A – Hands-on Windows 7 Loadfest (Microsoft MPR)

6:15pm-7:45pm: Group B – Intel vPro Presentation (Conference Center)

7:45pm-8:00pm: Break/Transition

8:00pm-9:30pm: Group B – Hands-on Windows 7 Loadfest (Microsoft MPR)

8:00pm-9:30pm: Group A – Intel vPro Presentation (Conference Center)

What You’ll Get:

-          DVD with installable beta build of Windows 7 Build 7000

-          Some first-hand knowledge of the power and coolness of Windows 7

-          A technical overview of the key differences between Vista and Windows 7
 

Requirements to load Windows 7: Bring a test system with you. Volunteers will be available to assist with the installation and questions. Check out the requirements and download the ISO, if you wish, ahead of the meeting. DVDs will be provided, but you'll need to get a Product Key if you wish to run the beta for more than 30 days.  Requirements, Product Key, and beta is available HERE.