Microsoft Student Partners at the University of Minnesota

I have some awesome news! Now instead of paying $500 for the latest Microsoft development software, students can get it for free using Microsoft DreamSpark.

For U of MN students, here's how to get started in less than 90 seconds:

1. Visit http://dreamspark.com
2. Click the product you want
3. Click Sign-In
4. Sign in with your Windows Live ID (Hotmail, or any other Microsoft account)
5. Click "Verify" on the product page
6. Choose your continent and country
7. Wait for the schools to load in the right box, choose University of Minnesota
8. Login with your X.500
9. Click "Download" for whatever method you want (download manager or web browser)
10. Voila! All done!

Of course, that's not all you get. Students also get one FREE voucher for a Microsoft Technology Specialist certification exam! It's first-come, first-serve, so get one now and sign-up for a seat! There are plenty of times for MN exams.  When choosing an exam, choose ones that begin with TS (Technology Specialist).

After clicking "Get Key" on the above link, make sure to print out the page and save it somewhere because you must bring it to the exam site.

On the Start page for ProMetric, click the Choose a Location. Select US, Minnesota and the first exam set. Then click Next. Choose an exam (sort by Name and scroll down to TS). Choose something you know you are proficient in, for me, I am taking the TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 ASP.NET Development since I've had years of experience using it.

After creating an account, you may need to repeat finding a location and test center. Once you arrive at the test center locations page, find a test center close by and click Schedule an Appointment. Then choose a date that works best (mine is May 22). You cannot schedule anything after 8 weeks from the current date. You should wait if you want a later date.

My exam was $125, it's awesome that I get to take the exam for FREE! That is definitely super awesome.

We're doing a new campaign to promote Office 2007 and I'm showing off up to 3 tips to classes at the U. I've posted the full PowerPoint presentation below which contains 10 Tips and Tricks while using Office 2007.

I've posted it on Live SkyDrive, an excellent cloud storage (25GB!). I recommend looking into other excellent Live solutions like Mesh, Live Sync, and Live Writer.

Wow, what an event! This past Valentine's Day, I held a music bash at Middlebrook Hall. I gave away an Xbox 360, a copy of Zune Lips, Far Cry 2, and a lot of Zune Pass trial cards.

We played Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero World Tour, StepMania, and of course, Zune Lips! Turnout was higher than I had anticipated but at least we didn't run out of snacks or Rock Star. There were tons of people at the end (of course) but almost half of the attendees stayed the entire 4 hours! Way to go!

For photos of the event, you can view the UMN Microsoft Student Partners Facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=28122052698&view=all

The album also includes photos from the Gears of War 2 event (which was also a success).

In the next couple of weeks I'll be showcasing some cool tips & tricks for Microsoft Office 2007, so stay tuned!

What?

A Gears of War 2 LAN party! You will be able to play some Gears 2 on several Xbox 360s and even some Rock Band 2 just for fun.

We'll also be giving an overview of XNA Game Studio, presented by Sean Dulin, to give you more information about creating homebrew Xbox and Zune games.

FREE cans of ROCKSTAR will also be available to keep you awake until the end of the night. It makes Rock Band singing better also.

Prizes?

We have TWO copies of Gears of War 2 to give away! Just remember to sign-in when you get to the event!

You must be present at the end of the event to win the games, though!

Where?

Middlebrook Hall (West Bank)
In the Terrace Room (near the dining center)
Just go to where you hear everyone shouting at each other.

When?

Sunday, November 16th, from 7pm to midnight!
Tired of doing homework? Come in and stop by!

Attend Facebook Event

I'm hosting an event! My first event. Check it out!

Do you love music? Do you wish your friends or others would listen to the music you listen to?

Then don't miss out! The Microsoft Student Partners program is hosting a social music sharing get-together in Goldy's Gameroom Thursday, October 23rd!

We will be letting YOU plug in your MP3 player (any kind!) for a short time to show off bands or songs that you love for others to hear! If you want to share more music, let others plug their headphones into your devices or if you own Zunes, wirelessly share music with other people!

Bring mix CDs! Bring your devices! Bring MUSIC! But most of all, bring a piece of paper to write down all the new bands you're going to check out!

We'll be giving away FREE 14-day Zune Pass Trial Cards (Download UNLIMITED MUSIC for $15/month) to everyone that attends and letting you sign up for the awesome Digital Dorm Room Sweepstakes (Win $10,000 worth of electronics from Microsoft and Dell).

This is a social event! That means that you should invite your friends and everyone else to come and share their music too! The more people to share the music, the better!

Are you a part of a local band? Come and give out CDs to attendees and get your name out there!

RSVP at the Facebook Event