INTERVIEW: Nick Hodge on 7 questions why?
I had a chance this morning to spend a few moments with Microsoft Australia’s, Nick Hodge. Nick is “the man” who is organising the logistical challenge of getting 2,000+ netbooks into the hands of all us Tech•Ed attendees. …to put that in perspective that’s roughly 58x forklift palettes =)
Anyway, In the spirit of Windows 7, I asked Nick 7x questions on who/why/where etc, and his answers are below the fold.
- The burning question: Why? Why do us Aussies get to something as cool as this, when our [jealous] counterparts in the USA didn’t?
- And why the Why the HP 2140?
- Some uber-keen attendees have pointed out some issues with Wireless and battery. Do you think it will be a show stopper?
- What about attendees who can’t accept the “gratuity” clause?
- What can we do with our Netbook and win7? Will there be places to download MSDN/Technet/etc/etc?
- Ok, the clown clause. In the spirit of embracing interoperability, what is the prize/penalty for the first person to install Ububtu? =)
- Which version of Windows 7 is being loaded?
Nick Says:
Q1: The burning question: Why? Why do us Aussies get to something as cool as this, when our [jealous] counterparts in the USA didn’t?
A: Personally, I blame Andrew Coates. We think it was his idea.
Windows 7 is big, and there’s a whole bunch of enterprise deployment features that we’d like to showcase. It is a big, but safe bet.
As a software company, it is tough to provide a physical experience. Providing hardware will close the loop.
And as far as US/NZ/Europe and other Tech•Ed’s are concerned: people can come to the Gold Coast if they book early. 3+ days in a conference centre at Australia’s answer to Hawaii are welcome to attend.
Q2: And why the Why the HP 2140?
A: Why the HP 2140? HP is our hardware sponsor for Tech•Ed 2009, and the 2140 is a premium “netbook” … and we can get enough of them to test and hand out. We’ve loaded Windows 7 Beta and RC onto our test units, and err’d on the side of memory/diskspace over latest and greatest coolness. 2300+ netbooks being loaded in the week prior to Tech•Ed is a large project with many risks. We’re reducing them to ensure delegates have fun. Not un-fun.
The risk here is to take a later device, not having device drivers, no units to test, and a delivery schedule that didn’t work for Tech•Ed.
As everyone knows, as much as possible you try and minimize risk in these big projects. On balance, the 2140 is a sweet machine.
Q3: Some uber-keen attendees have pointed out some issues with Wireless and battery. Do you think it will be a show stopper?
A: Wireless: this is a known risk we’re aware of, and are working with the venue to get this as right as we can. Some of the limitations are with wireless full stop: the amount of bandwidth you can get from the allocated frequencies. To help out, we’re expanding hard-wired connections; including power-recharge areas with spare adaptors. Needless to say, we’re working through the potential roadblocks.
Battery life is a concern, so we’re beefing up in-presentation room power outlets/boards too. This will also benefit those who bring their laptops to TechEd.
A part of “the massive hands-on-lab” will be to see the implications of a massive number of people with small, wireless devices. It’s going to be a learning experience, and that’s TechEd =)
Q4: What about attendees who can’t accept the “gratuity” clause?
A: I love the loan-to-donate to charity side. Not all delegates will be permitted to take their netbooks back to work due to gifting policies… and we have lots of people who need IT skills for future employment. I joined the dots to make this happen. Personally, this is the best part of this for me: giving back to Australia, not just taking.
A concern we had at the beginning of the internal 18 week journey was thinking through the implications for public sector employees … we didn’t want them to miss out. The Loan option gives the best of all worlds: Windows 7 at Tech•Ed .. and a feel-good help out those less fortunate than ourselves.
UPDATE: Deeps has posted more info on this, on the official Tech•Ed web site, http://bit.ly/2E0kuV
Q5: What can we do with our Netbook and win7? Will there be places to download MSDN/Technet/etc/etc?
A: Anything you can do with Windows 7. We are looking to the community to come up with some cool ideas.
As a for-instance, I’d like the Powershell community to create something cool to do some remote administration.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime 2300+ devices massive hands-on-lab.
Q6: Ok, the clown clause. In the spirit of embracing interoperability, what is the prize/penality for the first person to install Ububtu? =)
A: Penalty is no Windows 7. LOL
Q7: Which version of Windows 7 is being loaded?
A: The formal statement is “the latest public version we have access to”
We are locking down the build about 2 weeks out from Tech•Ed start, and as everyone knows with software. Anything can, and probably will, happen.
Sweet, Thanks Nick! If you want more info, follow Nick on twitter: http://twitter.com/NickHodge