10 Fun Scenes From Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference

Managed Services Are My Ritalin

This guy just loves managed services. No, really, he's just crazy about managed services. Actually, he looks like he's just crazy in general, and that managed services is just part of that whole deal.

When this guy goes to sleep at night, guess what he dreams about? You got it, managed services.

No, it's Not A Roomba

It wasn't all about Software Plus Services at WPC. Microsoft Robotics was on hand to show off the first Community Technical Preview (CTP) of Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008, which lets developers use the magic of software to control the movements of hardware robots like this little fella.

Scan Your Conference Badge And Win!

Microsoft had a huge Vista booth on the floor at WPC, where efforts to dispel the pre-existing notions some folks have about Vista's shortcomings were in full force. Microsoft was even running a Vista contest, in which partners would scan their conference badges and be eligible for a chance to win prizes.

OK, here's the part where we insert the obligatory Vista joke: In the contest, first prize was a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate. Second prize was two copies.

That joke won't be valid much longer, because many WPC attendees told ChannelWeb that Vista has come a long way this year, as evidenced by their blood pressure readings returning to more normal levels.

Get Your Ducks In A Row

Idera, which makes tools for managing SQL Server, SharePoint, and Dynamics, was giving away these cute rubber ducks as a symbol of getting their ducks in a row in terms of organizing their corporate data. Ducks in a row, get it?

Doctor, Doctor, Gimme The News

Swedish ISV UpKeeper Solutions decked out their staff at WPC in white lab coats. Their reasons for this were a little unclear, but apparently it had something to do with the systems management software they market to small and medium businesses that don't want to pay for Microsoft's System Center.

Everyone Loves A Slinky

Niche Cubed, an Atlanta-based technology consulting firm, used a tried-and-true method of attracting WPC attendees to their booth: They gave away Slinkys. And let's face it, who doesn't like Slinkys? A few conference attendees were observed putting their Slinkys onto an escalator, in an attempt to create a perpetual loop-type of effect.

Party At Minute Maid Field

Microsoft held its grand finale party at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. Y'know, the ballpark that earlier this decade was known as Enron Field. Gee, wonder why they decided to change the name? The team was out of town, so Microsoft rented the place out and invited all 12,000 partners that attended WPC to engage in an evening on drink, song, and assorted merriment. They even rolled back the stadium's retractable roof and had a fireworks display at the end.

Rockin' Out California Style

Microsoft flew out the E.B. Fraley Band from California to provide the musical entertainment at WPC. The band is pictured here rocking on just behind the third base line at Minute Maid Field during the grand finale party.

Lost Email Is Like Burning Hair

Silicon Valley-based startup Teneros, which provides services that allow a company to maintain access to email when Microsoft Exchange servers go down, had some of the most peculiar advertisements on the WPC floor. Although it's true that an Exchange Server crashing can make an IT admin feel as if their hair has just caught on fire.

Life Is Grand, Isn't It?

Greenshades Software was putting a smile on everyone's face at WPC with their self-service portal for Dynamics GP, which allows companies to handle tasks like paystub access, employee card maintenance, and electronic forms. Yep, that's enough to put a smile on anyone's face, isn't it?

Unofficial Air Hockey World Cup

Microsoft partners do battle at the grand finale party as part of what eventually became a very intense air hockey tournament. After a while, partners from different countries represented at the event gathered into groups, and the whole thing took on a World Cup-like feel. Except World Cup events probably don't have open bar.