That Conference tickets go on sale tomorrow, here’s what you were afraid to ask.

by Clark Sell Posted on May 15, 2012

After over a year of planning, tickets finally go on sale tomorrow for That Conference.ThatConf_logo I wanted to just take a quick moment and answer some potential questions you might have before tomorrow.

Tickets

Tickets will be on sale tomorrow at 8:13am CST for $349. We’re not doing any early birds, discounts, blaa, blaa, blaa. That $349 covers you for breakfast, lunch, swag and a few other things that we will announce later on. You will purchase tickets through EventBrite at http://thatconference2012.eventbrite.com/. There is also a link on our home page that will redirect later on tonight.

We expect to sell out rather fast so don’t delay. We have a waitlist setup, so if you don’t get in, you never know we might just open up more. Our goal is to include everyone assuming we have the staff to handle it.

Hotel

We have a block rate setup with the Kalahari. You can find more details about it at: http://thatconference.com/Resources/Travel The discount is a rolling discount so if you desire a different room that is ok, we have you covered. The block is first come first serve. The Kalahari is awesome you can see more about it at http://www.kalahariresorts.com/wi/.

Sessions and Speakers Counselors

All of our sessions have been posted to: http://thatconference.com/Sessions. If that wasn’t awesome enough we have a few more tricks up our sleeve. We also have our speakers bio’s here: http://thatconference.com/Speakers but we’re still setting up that tent in camp. Soon we will have some high res head shoots of our counselors.

The Schedule

Coming. Honestly we’ve been so busy getting things ramped up and settled for tomorrow we’re just not there. You will not be at a loss for things to do, just start to practice your cannon balls and laser tag skills.

The Pre-Parties

I am hoping you know by know we’re having a number of pre-events going on leading up to the actual conference and they are all free.

A Date with 8

Are you What’s Next? Have you been waiting to dig into Windows 8? Need a little help? Well that time is now. Why not take a little date with 8 and maybe even with a prize along the way? This Thursday and Friday we’re having a mini-hackathon leading into Chicago Code Camp.

More details and registration here: http://adatewith8.eventbrite.com

That Hack ( June and July )

In partnership with Hackatopia we are running a series of ‘American Idol’ style hackathons.  Win your city, head off to That Conference and convince the audience you have what it takes to win it all.

Midwest Give Camp ( Aug 11th & 12th )

Want to use your awesome tech skills to help a little girl change the world? Check out the Give Camp we are putting on the Saturday and Sunday leading into That Conference. http://thatconference.com/givecamp

Stay in The Know

Join our newsletter, signup is right on the front page at http://thatConference.com.

Make some noise!

Help us spread the word. We have been using #thatConference as the hashtag on twitter but that isn’t the only way to get involved. We have a Google Group, Facebook and more are all listed here: http://thatconference.com/Resources/GettingInvolved

Sponsors and Partners

Please check out our partners and sponsors. We have been working over the past year to really do something different here in the Midwest. We couldn’t do it without the help of everyone.

Are you interested in sponsoring? We’re still looking for great partners, all of the details you can find here: http://thatconference.com/Sponsorship/

Posted in Community, Events, thatConference | Leave a comment

Get ready for the Windows Store

by Clark Sell Posted on May 10, 2012

Recently, the Windows Store blog announced that in the next significant Windows 8 preview release they will be expanding their global coverage with 33 additional app submission locales for developers.  Our store services are ramping up as planned–and of course the plan includes ramping up developer registrations to enable app submissions to the Windows store. Today, you need an invite “token” to register.

This begs the question – How can YOU get a token?

It’s easy! If your app is ready and you want to be among those developers who get to submit to the store early, simply attend one of the 100s of free Application Excellence Labs that DPE and Windows are holding around the world.

Follow these steps to get invited to an App Excellence lab:

1. Contact me csell@microsoft.com for instructions on how I can nominate your app for an excellence lab.

2. Create a really great Windows 8 Metro style app (or game) immediately. Get it as ready as if you were submitting to the store.

Hopefully, there will be a lab near you. Right now, we have labs in 40+ countries and we may be adding more.

Of course, coming to the lab is not all you have to do. I have to go back to step #1: You need to have a compelling, functional app that follows our UX guidelines, our performance best practices, and our store certification requirements

The lab is a 4-hour engagement with a trained Microsoft Services Engineer. This person will run your app through a series of tests based on a quality checklist to ensure your app is (or will be) in top-notch shape when you submit. You will also get a chance discuss ways to make your app even better and you will get answers to any questions you might have.

If your app meets the criteria, then booyah! You get a token to register your developer account and (once you have been verified and all that) you will be able to submit your app to the Windows store.  If your app does not meet the criteria, nothing is lost. You will still end up with a much better app and you will be able to submit it when registration opens for all developers.

Good luck. We are looking forward to seeing your apps and helping you to make them great!

Posted in Windows | Tagged | Leave a comment

I got that event for ya…

by Clark Sell Posted on April 20, 2012

I wanted to just take a few minutes and detail a number of events coming up ( here in the Midwest ) in which you might just be interested in attending. In fact, if you’re looking to get involved with Windows 8, I would love to know. I am looking for passionate people to help me teach, run labs, office hours and more. Please just email me, and lets chat.

 

Ready, set,,,, take a breath,,, GO

 

The Windows Developer Event aka The Windows 8 Kick Off

Next Thursday April 26th, Chicago IL

Registration Link

There are still some spots left for what I consider the kickoff event for what will be some exciting times with Windows 8. We’re going to spend the entire day with some of the best designers and developers across the Midwest introducing you to the new world of Windows 8. We will start off the day exploring how computing has changed and how Windows 8 is here to help you. We will hear from guys down in the trenches building applications for the Windows Store. Then it’s time to get dirty with Metro and what it really means. But wait, why not also see how to do some development with Kinect. Of course we can’t go through the day without understand just how the cloud fits into everything and how can we make some cash.

Oh yea, we will have robot’s too. Why? Why Not!

Get your head out of the clouds, HTML5 is here, and the Web will never be the same!

April 27th, Appleton WI

Registration Link

You’ve no doubt heard that before, or something like it. We’d guess that when you did, you got excited, rolled your eyes, or mouthed the word “why?” and furrowed your brow. Perhaps your reaction was a mix of all three.

We wouldn’t blame you for any of those reactions. HTML5 is exciting, and it does have the potential to change the Web as we know it, but it also gets blown out of proportion. What’s more, its true meaning can be elusive. It’s a broad topic, so it’s difficult to wrap your head around HTML5, much less know where to begin with this exciting new set of technologies.

And then there is the cloud. The cloud is changing the way we think about computing.

That’s where our bootcamp comes in.

Over the course of a one-day, we (Clark Sell and Brian Prince) will tell you everything you need to know to get started with the next generation of open web technologies and cloud. We’ll start with an overview of what HTML5 is, and why it matters, before moving quickly through major aspects of the core HTML5 specifications. Then, we’ll discuss highlights of CSS3, major new JavaScript APIs and language features, before we end with a discussion on graceful degradation and adopting HTML5 without leaving older browsers behind.  Throughout the day, we’ll mix in hands-on exercises and labs so that you can leave with a working understanding of these technologies, and how you can begin to apply them immediately.

But what good is your website without a place to put it? To the cloud!

Fox Valley Day of .NET

April 28th, Appleton WI

Registration Link

A great 1 day community conference in a place where the rivers flow in the wrong direction. Join myself and a number of talented peeps across the area talk about everything .NET. You will see things like Phone Gap, Windows 8, node.js, Azure and even a few robots. There are 4 tracks running all day, so you’re head is bound to explode.

I even made a mini garage for my demo. Someone even called it a man’s doll house man cave.

Azure Kickstarter

May 1 – Downers Grove IL, Registration Link

May 3 – Chicago IL, Registration Link

If you’ve been looking for the right opportunity to figure out how to get started with the cloud, your chance is here. We’re putting together a series of learning events, led by some of the nation’s leading cloud experts designed to take you from grounded to flying in just a single day. Better yet, it won’t cost you a thing, and lunch and prizes are provided.

This is a hands on event, not just staring at a presentation, so make sure you grab your laptop, charger, and whatever else you need to keep you company while you actually build something. We’ll also show you how to get your hands on Azure hosting for no cost, so you can cloud up for free!

Strirtrek

May 4th, Columbus OH

http://stirtrek.com

Already sold out but in your in Columbus, so will I. Find me, let’s chat maybe even enjoy a cocktail. I will be breaking out my designer skills and talking about Windows 8 and Metro.

Windows 8 Accelerator Lab

May 7 – 9th, Downers Grove IL

Registration Link

Are you working on a Windows 8 app? Do you want to be ready by launch? Need a reason to get started? Good, well I am going to let you in on a little secret. I am not supposed to tell you about this, but I am going to anyways. I am running an Invite Only Accelerator Lab starting May 7th. This is all about code. None of that presentation stuff. Let’s get that app started or maybe even finished. Let’s take a few api’s and explore them. Over the course of three days we’re all going to build stuff. My goal is to get you ready for market while we all learn something along the way.

A Date with 8

May 17th and 18th, Grayslake IL

http://adatewith8.eventbrite.com

Brought to you by the folks at That Conference we will be spending a day and a half building apps. On Thursday night we’re kicking off things with an App Pitch and then a social at the local pub. Then Friday it’s build! At the end of the day present your app and maybe even win some stuff. Cloud, Phone, Windows 8 are all on the table.

Chicago Code Camp

May 19th, Grayslake IL

http://ChicagoCodeCamp.com

I love community events and this is another stellar one here in the hometown.  This is the 4th year for Chicago Code Camp ( aka CCC ), and it’s shaping up to be a great event. In fact you still have until tomorrow to submit an abstract if you want to speak.

Windows 8 Camp

June 7th, Chicago IL

Registration Link

It’s never to late to get started with something. The Windows 8 Camp is a one day half day eyes forward, half day hands on. A great mix of getting started and getting doing.

That Conference

August 13th – 15th, Wisconsin Dells WI

Registration opens May 16th at 8:13am CST for $349 dollars.

http://thatConference.com

I know you’ve heard of That Conference. Yes, That Conference.

That Conference is your “Summer Camp for Geeks”. Held at the Kalahari Resort in the beautiful Wisconsin Dells, it’s your last chance to get away before summer slips away. Spend three days with a thousand of your fellow campers, geeking out on everything code, apps, web and cloud. Your camp counselors are the best survivalists in the industry, and will make sure you leave with the skills you need. With over 125 sessions to choose from, your head may overheat, so cool off in one of the many nearby pools. Unlike your usual technology conference, you will be camping at the best waterpark in the region. Not happy with all the content we crammed under the tent? Feel free to join our open spaces and tailor your conference experience.

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What is Metro Weekly

by Clark Sell Posted on March 1, 2012

Throughout my career I’ve always been interested in how people learn. I personally don’t feel like I am very good at learning. Honestly I struggled in school, I suck at taking tests and like you found myself in a career where studying it one of the core pillars of what we do.

Show 50 on Developer Smackdown Mark and I kicked around the notion of how do people learn. Personally I have a lot different method, and I am always trying to refine things. Newsletters are one important part of my learning process.

Idea’s happen when you least expect them too.

This past Saturday I was messing around with the kids when I had this idea, Metro-Weekly.  I personally try to read the metro_weekly_logo
“news” every day for at least an hour. I use a number of different sources one of which has become two different newsletters produced by Peter Cooper, JavaScript Weekly and HTML5 Weekly. Peter does a great job of curating the news around a given topic and I look forward to reading them every week. So I figured I would follow in his footsteps and produce one based on everything Metro, i.e. Metro Weekly.

Metro, Metro, Metro…

I feel like a bit of a broken record because I find myself always telling people that these  are exciting times to be a software developer. New hardware form factors, the interconnectivity between things, browser wars, focus on user experience, and on and on and on. Think about it, as web developer you can actually write some HTML5, CSS3 and JS and actually produce for almost every platform.  That is crazy, like mind blowing crazy.

My goals with Metro Weekly are simple. Help you grok everything GREAT going on with Metro. Things like, great apps, software libraries, news items, books, articles. Hopefully Metro Weekly will become something you can count on to help you grok Metro.

You can help.

I am just one person, and the community we work in is very important to me. As part of the launch yesterday, people can submit an article for review. I will review them and include them where I can, AND give you the credit for the find. In addition I plan to create a place on the site where we can list all of the user submitted articles for people to read as well. This is an overall area I will continue to expand upon.

The Metro Developer Show

I listen to a lot of podcasts.  A few months back I meet Ryan and Travis Lowdermilk over at The Metro Developer Show. If you’ve never listened to their show it’s a must and very well done. Between their show and this newsletter there is a lot of areas for partnerships. We know it and are actively working on the best ways to share information between each other. I am personally very excited about working with the two of them.

This is just the start. I would love any feedback you might have.

Posted in Metro Weekly | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

@csells or @csell5

by Clark Sell Posted on February 22, 2012

Who? what? Can’t figure out who’s who? Well follow both and just call me Chris. No seriously I will answer by Chris.

 

1

 

Thanks Pat for pointing out that our pictures are well… You get the point.

August 2nd 2000, the day “csell5” was born. My name is Clark Sell, officially Clark Paul Sell. As it turns out, I am the third Clark Sell in the family, following my dad who followed his. When the birth certificate was written, my parents granted me the middle name of Paul to distinguish me from my dad. They had the right intentions.

 

Imagine if you will, sitting in the dentist chair. The dentist walks in, has your chart in hand asking you what appears to be valid questions.

"Hi Mr. Sell. How’s your teeth?"

"Good?"

 

"Anything been bothering them?"

"No not really."

 

"Ok, Great. Well, we will just get this shot ready and start working on that tooth."

"WHAT, WHOOOAA. SHOT?"

 

"Yes. Standard practice before we work on a cavity."

"Umm, sorry doc. I think you have the wrong chart.”

 

“Clark Sell right?”

“Yes, but the one who’s 30 years younger and I was just here for a cleaning."

 

"Opps. That would have been funny."

"Right, funny. You should sit in my chair and hear the laughter."

 

This didn’t just happened once, it happened all the time. In fairness, more so when I was growing up and had the same address. Although, I am the youngest member of AARP with an official card. They swear I am retired.

Oh yea, back to August 2nd. Sorry, I was setting the stage a bit.

So, my dad and I clash with things like names. WELL. It also happens to turn out, he’s into this whole technology thing too. I can remember seeing MSN Messenger thinking that was the most awesome stuff. It was like ham radio for geeks and without all those damn tests. So I signed up and it went a little something like this:

UserName: csell

> Sorry already taken.

"Damnit Dad"

 

UserName: csell1

> Sorry already taken.

"Ah common, are you kidding me"

 

UserName: csell2

> Sorry already taken.

"screw this"

 

UserName: csell5

> Available

"Finally"

 

Man the creativity was just pouring out of me that day. Now remember, this was before the whole social grid. Before we knew better than to put numbers or oddball characters in our user names. BUT, it managed to stick. Back then, everything became csell5. I thought I was making it easy. I guess I should have just made it Chris.

Then came this whole social revolution, and keeping, I kept. I never thought about it and people started to get used to just trying csell5 @ X. I never thought it would be an issue. Well it is, specifically that #5. It turns out having a number in your username isn’t really a good idea, at least on things like twitter and especially when people confuse you with non other than Chris Sells.

Then one day… Boom! My head exploded all over my desk.

Holy $h!t. That 5 looks like an S. { hands on face } People are going to think I am some weirdo dude who stalks Chris, has a similar handle, twitter picture. Quick, I will just go change it…. twitter.com -> login -> change user name -> "DAMNIT DAD".  Chris, just in case I managed to freak you out, I’m not actually trying to stalk you, but it sure is starting to look like it.

So why not just switch now? Well as I alluded, my dad already has it. You can follow some random dude who doesn’t use @csell, my dad at @clarksell, Chris at @csells and me @csell5. Now I just need to find some hipster who can create me a new identity.

Enjoy…

FWIW, after a few times of that dentist screwing up the reason I was there, I decided to switch dentists. And while I was at it, I switched any other medical related service where my records couldn’t \ shouldn’t be confused with one another.

Posted in Musings | 1 Comment