Microsoft BUILD and Windows 8 Preview: All the Buzz

Industry insiders and Windows enthusiasts alike are buzzing with excitement about Microsoft BUILD developers' conference in Anaheim September 13-16, where the software giant plans to unveil a preview of Windows 8. Of course, the new operating system isn't the only hot topic to be covered at the event, and heavy hitters in the IT industry are busy speculating on what other innovations might see the light of day in the California sunshine.

What are industry players saying about Microsoft BUILD?

Thinkers at open-source organization Mozilla suggest that Microsoft BUILD may also reveal a beta version of Internet Explorer 10, rumored to include improvements to the browser's hardware acceleration engine and extended support for HTML5 technologies. Tech bloggers are also saying that conference attendees might get a closer look at Jupiter, Microsoft's new UI library and "application model," as well as a first peek at the layout and feature set of the Windows 8 App Store.

What are the main benefits available to Microsoft BUILD attendees?

According to Joseph Reynolds, senior developer at EPS Software Corp. in Houston, the principal benefit of attending Microsoft BUILD is the people you meet. "The biggest benefit of attending BUILD in person is the chance to network with industry professionals," Reynolds says, "and to speak with respected leaders about what is coming in the future of Microsoft desktop technology."

Mary-Jo Foley of ZDNet speculates that conference attendees might be treated to a giveaway of Microsoft's as-yet-unnamed slate PC, which boasts a quad-core processor, a 10-inch 1080p HD screen, and a host of other features. Fueling the rumors, the website for the conference mentions Windows 8's "all new touch-centric user experience," which hints at a focus on slate and mobile technologies, and Microsoft teased crowds with distant views of an upcoming slate device at TechEd 2011 New Zealand in August.

Are there any new certifications or training options scheduled to emerge from Microsoft BUILD?

Although this question can't be answered completely until the conference has passed, Senior Developer Reynolds, who also works with CODE Training at EPS, indicates that new training options are likely. "Given the fact that Microsoft certifications seem to change on a semi-yearly basis, it would not be surprising if there are new certifications available soon, related to new technology discussed at BUILD."

Microsoft has been consistent in updating its software and hardware certifications to match the demands and capabilities of its latest solutions. Industry insiders agree that it's safe to expect a suite of Windows 8 certifications shortly after the software is released.

How can professionals learn about the insights shared at Microsoft BUILD if attendance isn't possible?

Online registration for Microsoft BUILD has been sold out since the end of July, leaving many individuals unable to see the conference sessions from the inside. Fortunately for those professionals, there are ways to get a hold of the information revealed at the conference without being there in person.

First of all, a Microsoft spokesperson released the news via email that the keynote addresses will be live-streamed globally on http://www.buildwindows.com, the conference's Web portal. Also, local user events scheduled to take place in various cities around the world may feature conference wrap-up presentations by tech journalists and IT professionals who were lucky enough to attend the event.

Once Microsoft BUILD comes to a close, certification and tech education organizations worldwide are expected to prepare reports and presentations that cover the specific points discussed at the conference. What's more, professionals who follow top technology blogs and other Web sources of cutting-edge industry information might be treated to day-by-day or hour-by-hour updates that pass along information in real time from the conference to the world outside.

The bottom line on Microsoft BUILD is that thousands of developers, administrators, engineers and industry insiders will gather to mingle socially and collect emerging knowledge on Windows 8 and other exciting new technologies from Microsoft. The buzz surrounding the event has been powerful, and the IT world is ready to be dazzled by the knowledge and insights of Microsoft leaders and other respected figures in the industry.