For Students: Go To MDC

[Ed Hansberry]

The following is from Robert Levy, managing editor at <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com">SmartPhone Thoughts</a> and a program manger at Microsoft in the Mobile Devices group.<br /><br />I got my start in the mobile devices community by going to various conferences during my freshman year of college (which was all the way back in 2001). I would go to these shows, shake hands, talk geek, collect business cards, and establish relationships with various people in this community. Over time those relationships grew and grew until Jason got me involved in this site and finally Microsoft asked me to take a sip of their Kool-Aid. Of course, it's tough to get in to conferences when you're struggling to pay for tuition. I literally begged to get in to "Pocket PC NY" and did manual labor for "Pocket PC Summit". I owe a lot to the people who were helped me out because their efforts have shaped my career.<br /><br />Getting to the point of this post, I'd like to give back now by encouraging my fellow students to join us at MDC and helping them do so. I don't have any freebies, but Microsoft does have something in place to significantly ease the financial burden on students who strive to be on the cutting edge. So if you're a student interested in going to MDC here's what you can do: Scan in your school ID (to prove that you are a student) and email it to me as an attachment with "MDC Academic" in the subject line. My address at work is [email protected]. I'll send you back details on our student discount, instructions for taking advantage of it, and a request that you find me at the show to say hi.<br /><br />This year's MDC is going to be a ground breaking event and I look forward to seeing you there.

[Wiggster]

Oh, this makes me even more bitter that I can't go. I very much want to go to the MDC, but it's too far on the other side of the country for me to manage it.

Oh, well. There's always next year.

[straysheepie]

Fortunately, MDC is on the west side this year! :D

This is an exciting opportunity, and I hope the prices aren't too high so I can go... are any other PPC Thoughts readers thinking of going?

[David Prahl]

It's so far away....

And I know squat about writing PPC code...

but I'd love MS freebies....

:sigh:

[gohtor]

I thought Sasha Krsmanovic is in charge of all student activities?

[Ed Hansberry]

I thought Sasha Krsmanovic is in charge of all student activities?
Are yo saying Robert hasn't been asked to help out? :confused totally:

[T-Will]

I feel really ignorant here...but what's MDC?

[Steven Cedrone]

I feel really ignorant here...but what's MDC?

Microsoft® Mobile Developer Conference 2004

Read about it here! (http://www.microsoftmdc.com/)

Steve

[straysheepie]

There aren't any student freebies AFAIK... I'm having second thoughts about going because the airfare, accommodations, and conference itself will probably cost a semester's tuition 8O

(Then again, BC undergrad tuition has doubled in two years so it won't be even worth a semester anymore)

I wonder if there are any bursaries to attend a conference? :(

[gohtor]

I thought Sasha Krsmanovic is in charge of all student activities?
Are yo saying Robert hasn't been asked to help out? :confused totally:

lol that's not what I was implying. The student activities co-ordinator that I've been in touch with is Sasha, but this may be only because I'm in canada. Probably another co-ordinator for US. =)

[gohtor]

There aren't any student freebies AFAIK... I'm having second thoughts about going because the airfare, accommodations, and conference itself will probably cost a semester's tuition 8O

(Then again, BC undergrad tuition has doubled in two years so it won't be even worth a semester anymore)

I wonder if there are any bursaries to attend a conference? :(

Lol did you attend the downtown protest on tuition 2 weeks ago? =)

It doesn't effect me that much. I would go if the price is right.