I guess this is an appropriate first post to be typed on my new netbook. A week or so ago I was contacted by Microsoft and asked if I would like to be a “Microsoft Student Insider” for the Imagine Cup. This involves attending conferences and Imagine Cup events and blogging approximately fifteen posts through the Imagine Cup World Finals in July 2010. This is an unpaid job and in exchange for writing up these posts and spending my time at these events (which I was pumped about alone), Microsoft has sent me an Asus Eee PC 1005HA netbook, a Flip HD video camera, a 4GB flash drive, $100 gift card to cover my expenses at PDC09 (along with travel, hotel, and PDC registration fees), and two Quick Assistance cards for Microsoft Support in the case I run into someone who desperately needs expert assistance. I figure full disclosure is better than missing anything.
Despite deciding I would not be buying a netbook with my own funds due to my awful vision, I am pleasantly content with this little guy. This is probably due to the fact it has a very nice battery life compared to the non-existent battery on my Dell. Stupid thing. I also opened the box to the surprise Microsoft had already installed Windows 7 Ultimate on it for me! I love me some Windows 7 if only for the magnificent built-in magnifier. Like right now, netbook comfortably on my laptop and I’m leaning backward. Microsoft upgraded the RAM to 2GB so things are running smoothly. Only confusing hiccup was that I wasn’t informed that I would have to put in the Product Key of the Windows 7 DVD that was in the Eee PC box despite Windows 7 being already installed. However, figured as much when Windows told me on boot up that I may be using a counterfeit copy of Windows. I sent out a quick email to ask what was up with the sealed Windows 7 disk, and found out the Windows 7 installed was a trial copy.
While I’m still waiting to touch base with my Microsoft contact (almost 20 minutes late on that phone call), I’m thinking my coverage of PDC09 will be similar to the work I’ve done at GHC in 2008 and 2009. This will include tweeting (the thing I do most consistently), uploading photos to Flickr, blogging (since that’s my “job” and all), and most importantly to me, video blogging with Ed! Yup, she’ll be joining me, and we will be shooting episodes of Ed & Ashley’s 5 Minute Show. Perhaps we can also get our first video chat interview recorded this week as well. That would be exciting.
Looks like I won’t be connecting with my Microsoft contact before my flight. Now I gotta run and grab some Auntie Anne’s. I can’t resist.
Tags: computers, Ed & Ashley's 5 Minute Show, Microsoft, Microsoft Student Insider
RT @OrganizeFISH: I am a Microsoft Student Insider for #ImagineCup. This be why I got a netbook: http://organizefish.com/blog/archives/159
This sounds really cool. I’ll be anxious to read your ongoing posts. I’m glad they finally got the magnifier working well too. I have a good number of friends who require that feature. Glad to hear that it works well on the netbooks. Is yours a 10′ screen?
That’s freakin’ awesome! I wish I was you right now.
I am now a Microsoft Student Insider on the Imagine Cup. This be why I now have a netbook: http://organizefish.com/blog/archives/159
Doug:
This job is brand new for Microsoft, so it’ll be interesting to see where this goes exactly. The internet, as it is at most conferences, is a bit iffy, but I’ll try to get as much stuff up as I can! This netbook does sport the 10′ screen.
Gail:
Hehe. Met up with your husband finally, but he was running to a session and Ed and I an interview. We will get him interviewed though!
Congrats for the new notebook and other stuff from Microsoft. I am looking forward to your posts…Good luck. Bye
Thanks Waqas! This morning I published a post on my first day at PDC09, so be sure to check that out!
Sweet, can’t wait to see his interview! Don’t let him leave town without interviewing him.
(You might want to catch him before the end of the day today if possible!)
Since I’m doing both the Microsoft Student Insider gig and Ed & Ashley’s 5 Minute Show, this interview may actually get professionally edited! Ed’s doing her scheduling thing, so no worries, it’ll happen!