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Introducing the Silverlight Jumpstart Program

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Over the last three weeks, I ran a pilot program with nine Dublin developers and designers called Silverlightimage Jumpstart.  This free training program was designed to give developers and designers intensive training in developing rich, interactive applications using Silverlight.  It focuses on understanding the programming model, the feature set, and two separate tools: Expression Studio and Visual Studio.

The program runs for three weeks and is very time-consuming.  Participants spend two 1/2 days each week in sessions and have a substantial amount of exercises to complete at home as well.  The topics covered include how XAML works, creating Silverlight prototypes, building user interfaces, incorporating data, building controls, styling applications, using media, incorporating DeepZoom and more.  Throughout the course, participants use and become more familiar with both Visual Studio and Expression Studio to build these applications.

I am opening this program to a larger group for the second session, which runs from November 3rd – November 20th.  I have listed the programs benefits and requirements below, and if this sounds like something you would be interested in, please let me know by e-mailing me at martharo [at] microsoft.com.

If the timing doesn’t work for you at the moment but you’d still be interested, please e-mail me and let me know.  I tentatively have another session scheduled to start in late January, and will do more as long as there is interest.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
Participants in the Silverlight Jumpstart program are required to:

  • Attend at least five out of the six sessions (sessions are held Tues and Fri 9:30-12 at the Westbury – participants not in Dublin can attend via LiveMeeting).
  • Complete homework assignments for each session.
  • Deliver your own original and new Silverlight application by the end of the program (this can be a pet project or a project for a customer, but cannot be a portfolio redesign or brochure website).
  • Provide feedback on your experience learning and using Silverlight & the toolsets

PROGRAM BENEFITS:
Participants in the Silverlight Jumpstart program who complete the program requirements will receive:

  • In-depth training, hands-on labs and professional course work for learning Silverlight and related tools
  • A full Microsoft Expression Professional subscription (includes Expression Studio 3, Visual Studio Standard, Office Standard, Office Visio Professional, Windows XP, Windows Vista Business Edition)
  • A Windows Azure token for professional / personal use
  • Opportunities to get involved in early adopter programs, receiving early access to unreleased builds and new applications
  • A new Microsoft Press Book related to Silverlight and web development every month for eight months including Introducing Microsoft Silverlight 3, Microsoft ASP.NET & AJAX: Architecting Web Applications, and more.
  • Additional prizes for the best applications of each session

This program is only for developers and designers currently in Ireland or Northern Ireland.  If you’re not in Ireland or Northern Ireland, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll get you the content after the second session.  Thanks for your interest.

Cross posted from Martha's Blog.