I've been invited to join the Microsoft IT Advisory Council. It sounds pretty interesting:

"The Council has been set up to allow IT professionals & developers like you to share your views, ideas and opinions directly with Microsoft in order to help them shape their future initiatives.

As a member, you will have exclusive exposure to Microsoft internal information and play an integral part in providing us with feedback on Microsoft customer offerings, licensing, support, product development, marketing materials, and community initiatives. Members will communicate with us via an online portal and a program of face-to-face events and online surveys....."

"Advisory council members will receive participation rewards, discussion opportunities on Microsoft responses to council feedback, and special advisory council offers throughout the year. Each face-to-face event is currently limited to 12 members to ensure rich discussion and you will be eligible to participate based on a point system on our portal. Membership also involves completing a monthly task and keeping an online diary of your experiences to help Microsoft understand what it is like to be in your shoes. "

It's good to see Microsoft taking the initiative to reach out to their core community for some real communication and feeback. I'm looking forward to participating in the program and of course checking out the latest and greatest they have to offer!

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