Windows 8, MS Office and ASP.net @ JPCS Sta. Cecilia College Chapter

September 8, 2012, Valenzuela City – The Junior Philippine Computer Society (JPCS) Sta Cecilia College Chapter organized an IT Conference entitled Innovate IT.  The aim of the event is to update the new and upcoming Microsoft technologies and to teach them how to maximize the current technology that they are using for them to be more productive. Topics for the event is Windows 8 which I discussed, MS Office tips and tricks by MVP for PowerPoint Erwin Magno, and introduction ASP.net and jQuery by community member Russel Calachan.  The event was attended by approximately 600 students mainly from Sta.Cecilia College and from neighboring IT Schools and Universities.

The students learned a lot from our discussions and really thrilled on how Windows has been reimagined to adapt to the demands of PC users now-a-days.  Amazed on what they are missing by not exploring the new features and capabilities of MS Office 2010.  Learned how ASP.net and jQuery can make programming or coding easier and simpler.  We also had a chance to talked to the head of the city’s Youth Development Council and they are inviting us another round  / session to reach more IT students in Valenzuela.

Innovate IT VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

@ the ICpEP.SE General Assembly

September 1, 2012, Quezon City – I was invited as a resource speaker for Windows 8 during the ICpEP.SE (Institute of Computer Engineers in the Philippines. Student Edition) General Assembly. 

The Institute Of Computer Engineers of the Philippines (ICpEP), a SEC-registered professional organization of computer engineers in the Philippines, is recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as a long-term partner in quality undergraduate and graduate education in the field of computer engineering. ICpEP has successfully formed its academic network through the Institute of Computer Engineers of the Philippines Student Edition (ICpEP.SE). Currently, this network is composed of fifty-two (52) universities and colleges from all over the Philippines and it continues to grow rapidly since its formal launching last 2009.

Held at the Technological University of the Philippines – Quezon City Campus, the event was attended by roughly 2000 Computer Engineering students and faculty from member institutions of the organization.  It’s been a long time since had a presentation on such big crowd and I was overwhelmed but happy and felt good since I was able to share my knowledge to to eager students who wants to learn on new and emerging technologies.  I also had a chance to meet the university president Miss Beth Quirino Lahoz. I showed her how Windows 8 will revolutionize the way we use our PCs now-a-days by being more mobile, work virtually anywhere and best of all how it can give us a work and life balance.

MVPs @ NGO Day in Iloilo

August 24, 2012, Pavia, Iloilo – Microsoft Philippines spearheaded another NGO Day for The Visayas Region. The event is in partnership with ICODE (an umbrella NGO) and with the municipality of Pavia. Before the formal event, Microsoft through its LCA Director, Raul Cortez and Citizenship Specialist Cheryll Ann Selda had a dialogue with the municipal mayor stating the goal and intention of holding such event. This is to help NGOs get software grants through Techsoup Asia – Microsoft partner that manages and evaluate NGOs to be qualified in such grants. The mayor was happy to hear that since his primary program in his administration is education and digital literacy. To achieve this, the mayor proposed that he will channel some of his education budget to a qualified NGOs to procure PCs and Microsoft will be in charge in providing software.

The event was attended by 17 representatives of different NGOs in Iloilo. Part of the event is teaching the NGO representatives some tips and tricks on Windows, Microsoft Office, and how to take advantage of the power of cloud computing for them to be more productive in their organization. This is where Erwin Magno and I comes in. I was given an hour to discuss Windows 7, Windows Live, and also did an introduction on Windows 8. Erwin on the other hand was also given an hour to discuss tips and tricks on Microsoft Office 2010. The participants were so amazed how Microsoft technologies can help them in their organization to be more productive and be more organized. They have learned a lot in our discussions and are excited to join and apply for the grant.

The event was concluded by Ms. Selda’s presentation on the Citizenship Program of Microsoft and how an NGO can qualified for the software grant by registering to Techsoup Asia.

Here are some pictures from the event.

 

NGO Day @ Iloilo VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

@ the Office 2013 Community Meetup

August 4, 2012 MAKATI CITY - The next Microsoft Office is just around the corner and on its way to amaze us in its new features! To celebrate it’s new milestone being reach the Costumer Preview (Beta).  The we mount up another community meetup to introduce the new Microsoft Office. 

The meetup was held at The University of Makati and attended by around 170 community members.  There are 352 registrants to the event but since it was raining that day it was expected that some of them might not come and 170 is a good number.

The event was hosted by John Erwin Magno (PowerPoint MVP) and Eufer Pasion (Windows MVP).  While the event’s main topic is all about office I was given a 20 minutes slot to do a presentation and live demo on Windows 8.  Erwin on the other hand did a demo and discussion on what’s new and what the new Microsoft Office have to offer.  Young and eager community members (mostly students) was really amazed on the new Office and of course a meetup will not conclude without games and raffle prizes too. 

The event was also graced by the Lead for the Microsoft Office Division in the person of Mr. Tovia Va’aelua.  Thanks Mr. T.

Here are some pictures from the event, courtesy of Peter Baltrazar, a veteran community member.

Office 2013 Meetup VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Work anywhere with SkyDrive!

The advent of cloud computing has made a big impact on how we connect with friends and family and also put computing mobility to the highest level.  Before I usually save my files in and FDD (floppy disk drive), then CDs and DVDs with larger capacities than FDD, then here comes Flash Drives, then external HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), but now I can just drag the file into a Windows Explorer window and access that file anywhere!  As long as I am connected with the cloud, I can create, edit and share files to anyone.  I can just log in into any device, a phone, a PC, a tablet, or a desktop as long as I’m connected to the cloud I can access all my files that I uploaded to my SkyDrive.

SkyDrive is a cloud storage service that is available for Windows Live users.  When you sign up for a Live or Hotmail account, a 7GB of online storage will automatically assigned to you.  You can do a lot with that 7 GB, you can upload your files and photos to share with friends and family plus you can create and edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations using the Office Web Aps, you can even take down notes using One Note and set it to sync on your PC. So how’s that?

SkyDrive has a lot to offer.  It has also an app for Windows, Mac, Windows Phone, iPhone and iPad so you can work with your files anywhere in any device that you have. You can download the SkyDrive App here.

Good news! SkyDrive will be available on Windows 8 as well!

Buy your Windows 7 PC now and get Windows 8 Pro on GA!

Here’s the most awaited Windows 8 promo!  I still remember when Windows 7 is about to come out, there’s a tech guarantee for consumers who will buy Windows Vista on a period of time and can get a Windows 7 for FREE on GA (general availability).  Now it’s for Windows 8.  Buy your Windows 7 PC now and get Windows 8 Pro on GA for $14.99 USD (that’s about PhP650 to PhP700 depending on the exchange rate).  It will just take you 3 steps to be eligible for the promo.

1. Buy a Windows 7 PC preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate from June 2, 2012 – January 31, 2013.
2. Register at www.windowsupgradeoffer.com
3. Redeem your upgrade.

• The offer is valid for newly bought PCs with preinstalled Windows 7 (Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate) or naked PCs bundled with Windows 7 COEM (Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate) from June 2, 2012 to January 31, 2013.
• FPP (Full Packaged Product) purchases is not covered in the said promo
• Promo is limited to 5 upgrades per consumer

So if you’re planning to get Windows 8 in the future, it’s best to buy a Windows 7 PC now and avail the upgrade!

MVPs @ the NGO Connection Day

 

Three Philippine MVPs became a part of the NGO Connection Day held in Makati Philippines on March 14, 2012. They are Jojo Ayson for Windows, John Erwin Magno for PowerPoint and I for Windows. Jojo thought them Digital Storytelling, Erwin showed them productivity in Microsoft Office and I did a demo on Windows Live.

My live demo focused on  Windows Live Essentials, particularly Movie Maker and Picture Gallery.  One of the objective of the NGO Connection day is to teach the attendees how to utilize FREE software such as Windows Live Photo Gallery and Movie Maker to make a good and compelling Digital Story.  My task is to man a booth wherein I can show them how to manipulate photos using Picture Gallery and add those manipulated photos in Movie Maker to create a simple movie or a digital story.  The purpose of teaching them to manipulate photos and create a movie is for them to advertise their respective NGOs (what they do and what are their goals) and to reach more people who share their dreams and aspirations by publishing their story in the cloud.

Some of the attendees never knew Windows Live, they even ask me if they will pay for the software for them to use it.  They we’re amazed how powerful Windows Live is.  I even thought them to upload their files to Skydrive since movie files are too large to attach in an email, they can just get a link to be able to share their file.  So I was able to reach and teach around 100 attendees in 2 breakaway sessions wherein they will approach me and I’ll show them the power of Windows Live.

Picture taken while I’m doing a demo on Windows Live.

MVP for Powerpoint John Erwin Magno doing a productivity demo on Microsoft Office 2010

MVP for Windows Jojo Ayson teaching the participants how to create a Digital Story

Below is the link of the complete set of photos taken from the event. (Photos credited to Cheryll Ann Selda of Microsoft)

Philippines’ NGO Connection Day

Talking on starting the year right…

Last year on this date, January 2, 2010, I received my first Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award.  I started as a Windows7ako online community member,became active in it’s Facebook page, named president of the community (they usually call me El Pres), next thing I know, I’m involve in hosting events and delivering a talk or a demo on my favorite topic, Windows.  I still remember my first demo in the first community meetup was a Windows 7 feature called Problem Steps Recorder and I became active since then, giving talks here and demos there.   I never knew there’s this MVP thing then and after a few months I got nominated by Jojo Ayson, one of the MVPs here in the Philippines.  Lilian Quek from Singapore informed me that I was nominated and I complied with the requirements.  Few months later, I was surprised with an email in my inbox congratulating me being an MVP.

About the MVP Award Program

Since the early 1990s, Microsoft has recognized the inspiring activities of MVPs around the world with the MVP Award. MVPs freely share their deep knowledge, real-world experience, and impartial, objective feedback to help people enhance the way they use technology. Of more than 100 million users who participate in technology communities, around 4,000 are recognized as Microsoft MVPs.

MVPs make exceptional contributions to technical communities, sharing their passion, knowledge, and know-how. Meanwhile, because MVPs hear the opinions and needs of many others in the technical community, they are well-placed to share highly focused feedback with Microsoft.

MVPs are independent experts who are offered a close connection with people at Microsoft. To acknowledge MVPs’ leadership and provide a platform to help support their efforts, Microsoft often gives MVPs early access to Microsoft products, as well as the opportunity to pass on their highly targeted feedback and recommendations about product design, development, and support.

Awarded in over ninety technology areas, MVPs reflect Microsoft's global customer base and the breadth of Microsoft's technologies. A significant proportion of new MVPs represent emerging markets in China, Russia, and Korea, as well as smaller markets including Ghana, Nepal, and Kazakhstan.

Today, January 2, 2011, the same email has landed in my inbox, telling me that my MVP Award has been renewed.  Thanks Microsoft and most of all to the Lord Almighty :)

Windows 8 @ AMA University Burn Fest

Every Ber months partner universities and IT schools here in the Philippines do a Burn fest where Microsoft will give FREE and legit software for IT students.  Burn fest is tasked to Microsoft Student Partners, they are the one who administers the copying, burning, and installation of software.  I was lucky to be invited to help in their event and do an overview and demo on Windows 8 (using the developer preview of course).  The date is October 25, 2011, it was the second day of AMA University’s Burn fest, as usual I did my overview and demo and got a positive reaction from the students.  I also teach them how to install Windows Developer Preview via VHD.  I hope that showing them the Windows Developer Preview will inspire them to develop apps for the upcoming Windows 8.

MSPs present in the event was Rudolf Antotio (FEU-EAC), KC Arabit (iAcademy), Gigi Adamantopoulos (DLSU), and Gene De Guzman (AdU)

Thanks to Karla Recalde, Paul Laiz and Emil Sereno for inviting me.  Below are some photos from the event.

Windows 8 @ AMACU VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Photos are credited to Karla Recalde

First Windows 8 Overview @ AMA East Rizal

A beautiful day on October 22, 2011 greeted us as we travel to the province of Rizal.  I’m so excited since this is my first time to discuss or to have an overview on Windows 8 and any publicly available information on it.  The event was entitled Software Development Technologies held at AMA East Rizal Campus.

I started the morning session with my Windows 8 overview and demo, followed by ASP.Net in depth by MVP John Patrick Oliveros, next was community member Peter Baltazar who discussed Social Media for Software Development.  The afternoon session was graced by MVP Mark Gutierez with XNA.

The students were very excited on the developer preview of Windows 8 and after the my overview I think I was able to ignite their minds and ideas to develop apps on the most awaited OS from Microsoft.

Here are some pictures on the event (thanks to Obed Dela Cruz from AMA East Rizal and of course Peter Baltazar)

		Windows 8 @ AMA ER VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Windows7Ako Joins the Global Windows Community

It’s been more than 2 years since the Philippine’s Windows community (Windows7Ako) was created.  Few weeks after the Build conference, Microsoft decided to merge in all the existing Windows community into the global community of Windows (www.facebook.com/windows).  A lot of community members expressed their sentiments when they can’t find their beloved community page in Facebook.  There was no announcement that the page will be merge with the global Windows community page.  After the merging the word travelled fast and reached every member of the Windows7Ako community. Now here we are celebrating as we move to our new home!

Attendees of he event was the old and new community members, some Microsoft MVPs (Chay Saputil, John Erwin Magno and Eufer Pasion), MSPs, and Microsoft employees.  Hosted by Miss Chay Saputil, the event was full with excitement, fun, freebies, foods.  Gracing the event was Miss Mae Moreno, Microsoft Philippines’ Product Manager for Windows.  Developoer Evangelist Zandra Nicholas did an update and presentation of the newest Windows Phone Mango.  I also had the opportunity to show how to create a VHD in preparation for the installation of the Windows Developer Preview.

		Windows7ako goes Global :) VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL