Here is a collection of photos from day 1 of the setup activities for Synergy 2008 in Houston, TX

Continue to the Photo Album:!http://richcrusco-frameworkx.spaces.live.com/photos/cns!7CEE7FC8F528290A!296/

All twenty speaking slots for the first ever Geek Speak BarCamp are filled and the scheduled is locked in tight. (Read background on Geek Speak BarCamp here, here and here). This event happens on the evening of May 21st at Synergy in Houston (in room 360 right after Geek Speak Live).

I have communicated to all the speakers the schedule, and this is now the final one I will post before Citrix Synergy. We have had a few changes (including one speaker dropping due to another commitment) but we have twenty full sessions.

The line up now includes FOUR Citrix Technology Specialists, four consultants, two Escalation Tech Support Engineers, four Product Managers, a HP Print Driver Developer and a Senior Architect from a large healthcare company.

If you have not yet registered for Citrix Synergy, you can click here to to complete your registration. I look forward to seeing you at Synergy and the Geek Speak BarCamp.

We just got our FlipVideo cameras, and to test it out Chris taped my office to show the world the cool gagdets I have and how hard I work... *grin*

You can actually win on of this cool cameras during Synergy! Find out how...

See you all in a few days

Gus Pinto
Microsoft MVP - Virtualization
Twitter/GusPinto

In my previous post on Geek Speak Bar Camp (May 21st at Citrix Synergy), we had fourteen of the twenty speaking slots filled. As of now, all twenty speaking slots for the first ever Geek Speak BarCamp are filled. (Read background on Geek Speak BarCamp here, here and here).

 
The line up now includes three Citrix Technology Specialists, four consultants, two Escalation Tech Support Engineers, a VDI Specialist from VMWare, four Product Managers, an HP Print Driver Developer and a Senior Architect from a large healthcare company.

I am looking forward to flying to Houston and getting this event started. I think that after seeing this line up and the list of technical sessions in the other tracks, I think you will agree with Shawn Bass when he wrote -

I am still working on juggling the time schedule to meet everyones equipment requirements and time constraints. I expect to finalize by Monday or Tuesday.

If you have not yet registered for Citrix Synergy, you can click here to to complete your registration. I look forward to seeing you at Synergy and the Geek Speak BarCamp.

One of the many great speakers at Geek Speak Live! (see James Rabey's post for the lineup) is Russ Daniels, HP CTO for Cloud Services Strategy. Russ Daniels was previously the CTO for HP Software, before moving into this new role last year.

In 2006, Infoworld named Russ Daniels a part of its Infoworld CTO 25.

According to his bio, "Daniels speaks widely at conferences and works closely with key HP partners and its largest and most demanding enterprise customers. Daniels has more than 25 years of industry experience specializing in software architecture, enterprise management, and software development methodologies. Prior to joining HP, he spent 15 years at Apple Computer. He has a bachelor's degree from Ohio University."

Daniels is a highly sought after speaker at technology conferences. Russ Daniels participated in a "fireside chat" at Mobile 2.0 in San Francisco last year. You can read the transcript here. He also participated in MIT's CIO Symposium in 2006 in a discussion of Software as a service. You can listen to a podcast of this discussion here

If you have not yet registered for Citrix Synergy, you can click here to to complete your registration. I look forward to seeing you at Synergy and Geek Speak Live!.

We now have fourteen of the twenty sessions at the Geek Speak BarCamp filled (read background on Geek Speak BarCamp here, here and here).

I have put together a tentative schedule of the sessions we have to date. The sessions, title, and schedule could still change, but the overall schedule is coming together.

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We are still working to fill the final six slots. Please submit your session topic now. You can use the comments in this thread, or you can email me at citrixblogger @citrix.com . You can also IM questions to citrixblogger on MSN, Yahoo and Google Talk.

If you have not yet registered for Synergy, you can click here to to complete your registration. I look forward to seeing you at Synergy and the Geek Speak BarCamp.

Wanted to do a quick post on some of the cool gadgets we will be demoing in the Geek Speak Lounge at Synergy 2008 sponsored by Intel.  Alot of the devices are  the ones you may have seem me blog on earlier, and a few are potential candidates to add into the mix down the road.  Here's your chance to get hands on with some of these next generation access devices, and BYOG (Bring Your Own Gadget) that you think would make a good Nirvana Device candidate for use with Citrix:

 
If you look close you'll see 4 of these devices actively connected to a XenDesktop, and 2 of them remoting that desktop from the device out to a larger screen in true Nirvana Device fashion!
 
Devices shown starting in the front and moving counter clockwise:
 

• i-Mate 9502
• Impatica Showmate
• Nokia 810N
• HP iPAQ 210 - accessing a XenDesktop
• i-Mate 6150 (behind the iPAQ) - accessing a XenDesktop connected to the 22" Dell Monitor
• Celio Redfly Mobile Companion
• Sprint Treo 700wx (on the Redfly) - accessing a XenDesktop connected to the Redfly
• Nokia E90 - accessing a XenDesktop
• Nokia E61i

All of the devices shown currently work with XenApp and XenDesktop except for the Nokia 810N.  Intel will also be providing some prototype devices to show off as well. 

We'll also be following up to this post with a full rundown of all of the cool stuff that you can see and use in the GS Lounge early next week!

Look forward to seeing you and hearing your comments in the Geek Speak Lounge at Synergy 2008

PS: You might even have a chance to one of these cool devices home with you from the show to use with your own XenApp and soon XenDesktop environment!!!

After reading Gus Pinto's blog on Citrix being one of the top places to work at silicon valley. I found this video on http://www.bestplacestowork.tv/main.

You can also read more at Yahoo Finance

Vishal Ganeriwala
Do you sp34k G33k?

Desktop Virtualization and Citrix XenDesktop!

Time to rethink traditional desktop deployment. It's too expensive and kills productivity. Is desktop virtualization the answer? It's a hot topic, and we're going to look at it from every angle at Synergy.

Explode desktop virtualization myths
You've done the research, and you're convinced that desktop virtualization will:
 
• Solve your lifecycle management issues
• Reduce your storage requirements
• Improve the end user experience
• Enable your company's green computing initiatives
 

You'll be surprised at what you don't know about desktop virtualization. Learn more about it at Synergy - and find out why it may be just a first step.

XenDesktop: Make it all work together without losing your mind
IT moves at warp speed. You've got to keep your options open to ensure the best options for your business - with no vendor lock-in - as technologies and standards evolve. Come to Synergy and explore the open architecture of the all-new Citrix XenDesktop, which definitely plays well with others and provides out-of-the box integration. Stop by the Tech Lab in the Expo Hall, and watch how it works: XenDesktop dynamically assembles a unique desktop from pristine components for each user, every time they log on.

Whether you're tasked with evaluating the technology, deploying a solution - or explaining its benefits to the board - you'll find sessions at Synergy covering all the cutting edge content on desktop virtualization.

Continue on to Citrix Synergy

Hot Topics and Solutions in Application Delivery!

This track will bring together both hot topics and realistic approaches for making everything from the datacenter to the desktop work in the real world.

What in the World... Is a Dynamic Datacenter?
Server Virtualization - A "Natural" For Natural Disasters (and other DR Scenarios)
Why You Should Care...About Unified Communications
Critical Care: Optimizing and Protecting Web 2.0 Applications
Rethinking the Datacenter
Service-oriented Architecture: Positive or Negative for Application Delivery?
"Portable Personality": Making Users Device-Independent
Transformation with Virtualization: New Approaches to Data Security
Fighting New Threats, Enabling New Business
The IT Talent You Need Today and Tomorrow
The Hot Seat: Three Views of Desktop Virtualization
End-to-End Virtualization: Risks and Rewards
Insights along the Path to the "Xen" Garden
The Leading Edge: Virtual Appliances

Continue on to Citrix Synergy

The Latest on Citrix Products from A to Xen!

Sessions in this track will give attendees the latest scoop on Citrix products - from Access Gateway to XenServer.

Forgive us for Bragging... About the Best Windows App Delivery Solution Ever!
Happy End Users? With XenApp, It's No Longer an Oxymoron
Going the Distance: 50x Faster App Delivery to Branches with WANScaler
Branch Offices Get Up to Speed with XenApp
Top 10 Tips for Providing the Best Application Experience with EdgeSight
Testing 1-2-3, Testing 1-2-3: Automated Load and Regression Testing for XenApp
Go with the Flow: Using Workflow Studio to Deliver a Dynamic Datacenter
NetScaler: It's Not Just for Load Balancing Any More
Shhh! There's a Secret Weapon against Web Application Attacks
Make App Delivery Your Policy with AppExpert
Balancing Act: Achieve High Server Availability with NetScaler
Know All, See All with EdgeSight for NetScaler
Shift into High Gear with NetScaler Acceleration for Web Apps
XenApp and XenServer - Better Together
Easy as 1-2-3: Integrating Apps and Communications with EasyCall
Attention Techies! Learn to Configure New Access Gateway, Enterprise
Better than Lunesta: Implement Access Gateway and Stop Losing Sleep over Access Security
Your Technical Blueprint for the Dynamic Datacenter
Server Workload Streaming - The Next Best Thing to Cloning
Customers Are Talking...About Provisioning Server for Datacenters
Check Out the New Kid on the Block -- Citrix XenDesktop
App Virtualization with Isolation and Streaming - the Fastest Route from Server to Client
Managing User Profiles for Desktop and Application Delivery
Design Considerations for XenApp Implementations
Taming the Printing Beast with "Printing Virtualization"

Continue on to Citrix Synergy

Strategic Considerations for the Business IT Professional!

Sessions in this track will cover how application delivery and its underlying technologies - virtualization, application networking and optimization are transforming the IT industry and IT organizations. Topics in this track are intended for senior IT leaders.

Keeping Pace with Rapid Innovation- Best Practices for IT Leadership

IT organizations have historically struggled to keep pace with the speed that the business wants to, and increasingly, has to move. Led by IDC's Senior Vice President & Chief Analyst Frank Gens, this session will present recent research on topics critical to today's IT management leadership -- and discuss best practices with IT executives who are "keeping pace".

IT's "Invisible" Silver Bullet - Application Delivery Networks

If your network is not application fluent, you are wasting money, opening security holes and certainly not ready for the next wave of change in application architecture - Web 2.0. This session, led by Gartner Research Vice President, Joe Skorupa, will pull back the curtain on a proven, but often overlooked solution - Application Delivery Controllers - that could be your "silver bullet" in helping your business improve costs, security and responsiveness to change. This session will present recent research and discuss best practices with IT executives that have already discovered, and benefited from the "silver bullet".

End-to-End Virtualization - How Do We Get Real Value, Now?

How close are we to virtualization "nirvana", will it really change IT for the better, and deliver real value to the business? The pieces seem to be falling into place with virtualization occurring throughout the enterprise - server, storage, desktops, networks and applications. This session, led by Gartner Research Vice President Mark Margevicius, will present recent research and discuss best practices with industry leader CSC from their current practices in application, desktop and server virtualization.

Continue on to Citrix Synergy

Attend Citrix Synergy and complete the entry form found in your attendee bag (see image to the left) and drop it off at the Citrix Education booth during Exhibit Hall hours. Attendees may only enter the contest once and must be present during the drawing to win. The drawing will be held in the Exhibit Hall theatre on Thursday, May 22nd at 1:00pm.

Explore our Solutions

If your mission is a better return on your Citrix investment, take a step towards the solution with Citrix Education. Technical training and certification from Citrix Education enables you and your staff with best practices and in-depth product knowledge that is critical to keeping your Citrix environment running at peak performance.

Terms & Conditions

• Citrix employees, Citrix partners and Citrix vendors are not eligible to enter.
• Contestants must provide a valuable testimonial and answer the product/service related question in order to be eligible for the drawing.
• Testimonials become the property of Citrix. Contestants:
(a) assign Citrix all copyrights and moral rights in and to the testimonial arising under statute and common law, and all other derivative rights;
(b) grant Citrix permission to publish, copy and disseminate all or part of the testimonial;
(c) grant Citrix permission to use their name for advertising or promotional purposes all without any royalty, compensation or other consideration, except where prohibited by law.
• Contestants must be present to win. Registration is limited to one entry per person.
• Contestants must agree to and sign the terms and conditions of the drawing.
• Incomplete forms will not be accepted.
• Contestants shall be responsible for any taxes due from winning the trip
• Citrix Education shall not be responsible for any losses, or damages of any kind arising in connection with or as a result of the trip, or its acceptance.

Continue at Source: Citrix Training

At Citrix Synergy, you can take the latest Citrix Exams at our on-site testing center and get a second chance to pass - free!
If needed, you'll receive an exam retake voucher for the same exam, which can be redeemed at any Prometric testing center
worldwide.

Choose from the following list of Citrix Exams available at Synergy. Click on the exam number for detailed exam information, including related certifications and preparatory recommendations:

• A01 Citrix XenServer Enterprise Edition 4.0: Administration
• 256 Citrix Presentation Server 4.0: Administration
• 259 Citrix Presentation Server 4.5: Administration
• 264 Citrix Presentation Server 4.5: Support
• 306 Citrix Access Gateway 4.2 with Advanced Access Control: Administration
• 308 Citrix Access Gateway 4.5 Advanced Edition: Administration
• 309 Citrix Access Gateway 8.0 Enterprise Edition: Administration
• 731 Citrix NetScaler 8.0: Administration
• 900 Citrix Provisioning Server 4.5: Administration

Don't miss an opportunity to get Citrix Certified with the no-risk assurance of a free exam retake!
To reserve your spot for this special offer, pre-register to take an exam with us by May 16th, 2008.

Continue at Source: Citrix Training

Participate in a Citrix Hands On Technical Workshop (HOT) at Citrix Synergy and receive a coupon for 15% off of a Citrix Training Pass and you can get up to a savings of $750!

Citrix Training Pass (CTP)
The CTP program offers the flexibility to purchase the right combination of training to meet your business goals. Sold as a voucher, a CTP provides the freedom to take training courses at participating Citrix Authorized Learning Centers (CALCs) within a 12 month period.

The Citrix Training Pass is:

• Available for authorized Citrix courses
• Redeemable at Citrix Authorized Learning Centers (CALCs) in North America
• Valid for one year from the date of purchase
• Includes all necessary authorized e-learning and ILT courseware
• Offered as Instructor-led Training and Virtual Instructor-led Training

Buy Now, Learn Later
To redeem your discount once you have the coupon in-hand, please follow these simple steps before August 31st:

1. Go to www.findcitrixtraining.com
2. Select the class date, time and location most convenient for you and click the "pre-register" button
3. Enter the promo code (found on the bottom left of the coupon) in the "promo code" field and submit your completed form
4. A representative from Citrix Education will contact you within 24 hours to complete the purchase.

*Offer valid through August 31, 2008. Not valid with any other promotions, packages or discount offers. Limit one Savings Certificate per customer per order. Applies only to new registrations.

Continue at Source: Citrix Training

This years conference Will Feature Leading Virtualization and Networking Analysts from Global Research Firms Including Forrester, Gartner and IDC

Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTXS), the global leader in application delivery infrastructure, today announced its featured industry analyst presenters for Citrix Synergy 2008, the all-new industry conference where virtualization, networking and application delivery meet. Industry analysts participating at the conference will discuss best practices and reveal proven tactics for success in today's ever-changing business environment, offering a holistic perspective on emerging enterprise technology. Citrix Synergy will take place May 20 to May 23 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

Industry analyst sessions will highlight the latest research in application delivery, networking  and virtualization, and outline strategies for implementing and leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, including:

• Keeping Pace with Rapid Innovation - Best Practices for IT Leadership
• End-to-End Virtualization - How Do We Get Real Value, Now?
• The Hot Seat: Three Views of Desktop Virtualization
• IT's "Invisible" Silver Bullet - Application Delivery Networks
• Transformation with Virtualization: New Approaches to Data Security

Citrix Synergy has assembled an impressive lineup of industry analysts well regarded as experts in their field, including:

• Chris Wolf, Senior Analyst, Burton Group
• Mark Bowker, Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group
• Natalie Lambert, Senior Analyst, Forrester
• Neil MacDonald, Vice President and Gartner Fellow, Gartner
• Mark Margevicius, Research Vice President, Gartner
• Joe Skorupa, Research Vice President, Gartner
• Frank Gens, Senior Vice President and Chief Analyst, IDC
• Robin Gareiss, Executive Vice President and Senior Founding Partner, Nemertes Research
  
  

Continue at Source: Citrix News Releases