Today in my role as Microsoft Expression Blend MVP 2009-2010, I attended the “ask the Experts Panel” as part of the Windows 7 Launch. Let me just say it was a very exciting day. The parking lot to the Detroit event was full at 7 am this morning, and it only got more packed during the day (there must have been over 1000 people there). The first half day was aimed at developers, the second IT professionals. Everyone coming out of the presentation auditoriums had very good things to say about Microsoft’s new product launches.

I believe this version of Windows and Windows Server products are going to be a smash hit from all of the feedback I got out of the launch..

Morning sessions included:

“Taking your Application to the Next Level with Windows 7”

“Beyond Human Interaction with Windows 7 Sensor and Location Platform”

“Building the Next Generation User-Interface with Multitouch and Ribbon on Windows 7”

“What Developers Should Know About Windows Server 2008 R2”

“Windows Server 2008 R2: Develop with New Parallel Computing Technologies”

“Windows Server 2008 R2: Web and Enterprise Solutions”

Afternoon sessions included:

“Windows 7  for the Optimized Desktop”

“Windows 7: Make People Productive Anywhere”

“Windows 7: Enhanced Security and Control”

“Windows 7: Deployment Enhancements”

“What’s in Windows Server 2008 R2 for & Migration”

“Windows Server 2008 R2 Virtualization Technologies—Saving IT Costs”

“Introducing Microsoft Exchange Server 2010”

“Voice Mail with Unified Messaging in Microsoft Exchange 2010”

“Exchange 2010 High Availability and Storage”

“Exchange 2010 Archiving and Retention”

Each person who attended walked away with a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate and another sponsor (Symantec) also gave away a free home version of Norton Internet Security 2010. All in all considering the attendance and interest in the new software I believe this has inspired new interest in Windows..