As many of you know, I manage the Microsoft.com Technical Chat Program (have done this for the past 3.5 years). This does not mean I run the entire show; I am merely but one in many who work hard to bring you these events. I wanted to begin introducing you to some of the people behind the nicknames you see logged into our chats. I thought I would start off with the Commerce Server chat king. Check out Alex in the July 20th edition of Commerce Server Chat Live & Online [Add to Calendar Now]

My interview with Alex Shogren:

JC: "How long have you been at Microsoft?"

AS: "12 years"

JC: <Jana bows to Alex> "That is a long time to have worked here. Nicely done."

JC: "What positions have you held during your 12 year reign?"

AS: "I started in Receiving, moved to Accounts Payable, then joined MSN in Dec 1994 as a Group Assistant.  Though there have been several reorgs and group/division name changes, I have stayed with the same ‘group” which is now called the Business Process and Integration Division.  Our products have included Microsoft Commercial Internet System, Site Server, Commerce Server, BizTalk Server, Host Integration Server, and Windows Workflow Services.  I started as a Group Assistant, then Beta Coordinator, and Release Coordinator/Manager."

JC: "What is your current role at Microsoft?"

AS: "Release Coordinator is the title.  I work with the Community Team handling the division’s MVPs and the Customer Response Team working with the TAP Team."

JC: "What chats do you organize for customers?"

AS: "Currently, only the Commerce Server Chats, but have been working to get a Chat in place for BizTalk Server."

JC: "Why is hosting online chats for customers important to you and your team?"

AS: "It is a great way for Product Group members to touch base with the customers. "

JC: "How has chats changed the way you work or the product you work on?"

AS: "I think that the PG members who participate in the chats have a better understanding of the customers and how they use the product.   It has provided the PG with a direct avenue to the customer. "

JC: "Do you also blog?"

AS: "I do not blog"

JC: "Hmm, we will have to work on that"

JC: "In closing, the floor is yours..."

AS: "It is important for management to back your decision to start and maintain an online chat.  If you are not able to get additional product group members to participate, you will be answering, or tracking down answers.  If you have a regularly scheduled reoccurring chat, you will find that customers are expecting you to be there each month.  And really, it doesn’t take that much time to put on."

May 31, 2005 – 10:00 A.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Windows XP General Chat [Enter chat room]

Description: Windows XP is Microsoft's most advanced desktop operating system. With Windows XP, home users can experience the digital world like never before, while business users can work smarter and faster. Join Microsoft experts as we engage in a fun and interactive online chat discussion about Windows XP.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

May 27, 2005 – 12:00 P.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Changes to Critical Patch Management in SMS 2003 SP1 [Enter chat room]

Description: Systems Management Server 2003 SP1 adds new features to assist in the task of identifying and deploying critical security patches to your infrastructure. This chat will show you how these improvements help to simplify this essential process and make it more efficient for SMS administrators. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn more about the new enhancements to your patch management solution.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

May 27, 2005 – 8:30 A.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Advanced Development and Testing Tools in Visual Studio 2005 Team System [Enter chat room]

Description: Chat with members of the Visual Studio 2005 Team System team. We'll be answering questions about the advanced performance, security, and testing tools that are part of the Visual Studio 2005 Team System, including the code profiler, static analyis, unit testing, and load testing tools.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

May 19, 2005 – 3:00 P.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Windows XP Media Center Edition [Enter chat room]

Description: Join Windows XP Media Center Edition experts the third Thursday of each month at 3:00 PM Pacific as they answer your questions in an online chat.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

May 19, 2005 – 1:00 P.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: The Visual Studio Debugger [Enter chat room]

Description: Do you have some burning questions or comments about SQL, C#, VB, C++, or script debugging support in Visual Studio? Want to know more about Visual Studio 2005's enhanced datatips, improved interop debugging, Managed Debugging Assistants, debugger visualizers or Just My Code? Join the Visual Studio Debugger team to discuss the past, speculate on the future, and debate the present of the tool you work with and they work on.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 28, 2005 – 12:00 P.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Operating System Deployment using SMS 2003 [Enter chat room]

Description: Installing desktops from images can be a troublesome issue for administrators. In this session, we'll introduce the System Management Server (SMS) 2003 Operating System Deployment Feature Pack. We will show how you can reduce the burden of deploying new operating systems by using SMS 2003 Operating System Deployment Feature Pack providing a customizable, centralized, and scalable way to deploy Windows images.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 27, 2005 – 1:00 P.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Designing .NET Framework Class Libraries: Q And A [Enter chat room]

Description: Designing .NET Class Libraries series wrap-up

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 27, 2005 – 10:00 A.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Group Policy [Enter chat room]

Description: Join the Microsoft Group Policy team on April 27th, 2005, to ask your questions about how you can successfully deploy Group Policy in your environment. Whether you have specific technical questions – about new policy settings available in Windows XP Service Pack 2, for example – or general questions about why Group Policy is valuable in reducing manageability costs in your organization, the Group Policy team will be on hand to answer your questions.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 27, 2005 – 9:00 A.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Windows CE 5.0 Live Chat! [Enter chat room]

Description: Do you have tough technical questions regarding Windows CE 5.0 for which you're seeking answers? Do you want to tap into the deep knowledge of the talented Microsoft Embedded Devices Group members? If so, please join us for a live Windows CE 5.0 chat and bring on the questions! Windows CE 5.0 is the operating system that is powering the next generation of 32-bit, small-footprint and mobile devices. This chat will cover the tools and technologies used to develop devices using the Windows CE 5.0 operating system.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

Many have asked me about RSS feeds for upcoming chats. Here are a few you could register for:

chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)

April 14, 2005 – 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Payment Processing in Retail Management System 1.2 [Enter chat room]

Description: Join us for a live chat on payment processing in Microsoft Retail Management System 1.2. Microsoft Retail Management System team members Dan Reed, Lori Penor, and Balaji Balasubramanian will be available to answer your questions on payment processing setup, configuration, and troubleshooting.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 14, 2005 – 10:00 A.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Internet Explorer [Enter chat room]

Description: Internet Explorer 6 is a set of core technologies in Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional operating systems that provides enhanced privacy features and a flexible and reliable browsing experience. Join Microsoft experts as we engage in a fun and interactive online chat about Internet Explorer.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 14, 2005 – 9:00 A.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Top 10 GPOs for Desktop Management [Enter chat room]

Sponsored by Windows IT Pro

Description: It's easy to be overwhelmed by the large number of Group Policy settings and variety of ways to apply them. In his April article in Windows IT Pro magazine and this corresponding chat,  Ed Roth explains how his IT group uses Group Policy Objects for desktop management. Ed and Group Policy guru Darren Mar-Elia share their experience and answer your questions about settings for deployment, folder redirection, standardization, security, updates, and much more. Ask them about the gotchas and the benefits, and get answers you won't find anywhere else.

Click here to get more information on Group Policy Settings

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 14, 2005 – 9:00 A.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Security in Microsoft Products [Enter chat room]

Description: Join Mike Nash, Vice President for the Microsoft Security Business Unit, and his team of security experts each month. Microsoft is working hard to improve security and Mike and his team invite you to join them in a candid Q&A session. Ask us your tough questions; share with us what is going well and what needs improvement. This is your chance to talk up front with the leading security minds at Microsoft.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 13, 2005 – 1:00 P.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Designing .NET Framework Class Libraries: Enabling Development Tools [Enter chat room]

Description: Learn how to enable a rich development experience for your users by writing code that exploits the capabilities of Visual Studio. Covers extending and augmenting the development, debugging, and design environments.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 7, 2005 – 1:00 P.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: The Visual Studio Debugger [Enter chat room]

Description: Do you have some burning questions or comments about SQL, C#, VB, C++, or script debugging support in Visual Studio? Want to know more about Visual Studio 2005's enhanced datatips, improved interop debugging, Managed Debugging Assistants, debugger visualizers or Just My Code? Join the Visual Studio Debugger team to discuss the past, speculate on the future, and debate the present of the tool you work with and they work on.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 6, 2005 – 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Windows Embedded Student Challenge Chat [Enter chat room]

Description: Come join Ivan Joseph and members of the Mobile and Embedded product group for an online discussion surrounding the Windows Embedded Student Challenge!

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 6, 2005 – 1:00 P.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: Designing .NET Framework Class Libraries: FxCop in Depth [Enter chat room]

Description: FxCop is a tool that enables development teams to check code compliance with best practices. This session will give you a good understanding of the how and why behind the tool.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)

April 5, 2005 – 1:00 P.M. Pacific Time [View Additional Time Zones]

Title: My in Visual Basic 2005 [Enter chat room]

Description: Do you have questions about Visual Basic 2005's new set of classes, collectively called My, that puts the powerful functionality of the .NET Framework at your fingertips? Join members of the Visual Basic team to discuss My, how it works and what's happening behind the scenes. Provide the team with your feedback the Beta version of the feature and get answers to your questions.

Don't forget when the chat occurs - Add to calendar

• Subscribe to our chat RSS feeds (Developer) (IT Pro) (Windows Server)
• For a full list of upcoming technical chats, visit our World Wide Chat Calendar (there is no download required to attend our chats. Our chat rooms are HTML based and require only the http port)