get visual studio 2008 pro for free

[UPDATE: I added other US cities I am aware of, any not listed here, I'm not aware of them.  Reminder that these are being hosted by user group communities in partnership with Microsoft.  If you don't attend the user groups sponsoring these events, you have them to thank and you should start attending and getting involved!!!!

These events are made possible by the commitment of user groups.  You should absolutely participate in them, show your support, be an active member and get to know your local developer contact at Microsoft :-).]

want the latest IDE toolset and start developing solutions in .net 3.5 using asp.net ajax, silverlight, LINQ, astoria and all the good stuff?

what are you waiting for?  there are various visual studio 2008 installfests around the country.  my team in the west is no different, but maybe you've been having a hard time finding them?  here's a list for all those happening in the west!  please feel free to blog and spread the word.

we're providing a location, install dvd's (these will be evals because the finals aren't pressed yet), and food/drinks.  this will be a good time to get some questions answered, get vs 2008 installed, play around, and hang out with your peers.  each registered and attended individual will receive a special code to receive the fully-licensed visual studio 2008 professional copy sent to them when the full package product is available to ship.

don't miss these events!!!  registration is limited, so get in now and mark your calendars!

the events in the west are:

• 4 DEC: Portland, OR - register here @ Portland Area .NET UG
• 5 DEC: Irvine, CA - register here @ SoCal .NET Groups
• 6 DEC: Boise, ID - register here @ Boise .NET User Group
• 11 DEC: Olympia, WA - register here @ South Sound .NET User Group
• 12 DEC: Spokane Valley, WA - register here @ Spokane .NET User Group
• 12 DEC: Denver, CO - register here @ Denver Visual Studio UG
• 13 DEC: Mountain View, CA - register here @ Bay.NET
• 20 DEC: Phoenix, AZ - registration TBD (pending location confirmation of venue - register to the email group on azgroups.com)

in the central area are:

• 3 DEC: Tulsa, OK
• 3 DEC: Nashville, TN
• 4 DEC: Kansas City, MO
• 5 DEC: Dallas, TX
• 6 DEC: St. Louis, MO
• 7 DEC: Southfield, MI
• 11 DEC: Milwaukee, WI
• 12 DEC: Chicago, IL
• 12 DEC: Des Moines, IA
• 13 DEC: Houston, TX
• 13 DEC: Minneapolis, MN
• 13 DEC: Indianapolis, IN

in the east are:

• 3 DEC: Alpharetta, GA
• 4 DEC: Greensboro, NC
• 4 DEC: Rochester, NY
• 4 DEC: Stamford, CT
• 6 DEC: Iselin, NJ
• 6 DEC: Melville, NY
• 10 DEC: Charlotte, NC
• 10 DEC: Farmington, CT
• 10 DEC: Miramar, FL
• 11 DEC: Florence, SC
• 11 DEC: Pittsburgh, PA
• 11 DEC: Parsippany, NJ
• 12 DEC: Reston, VA
• 12 DEC: Raleigh, NC
• 12 DEC: Waltham, MA
• 13 DEC: Richmond, VA
• 13 DEC: Naples, FL
• 13 DEC: East Windsor, NJ
• 15 DEC: Orlando, FL
• 17 DEC: Allentown, PA
  17 DEC: Sarasota, FL
• 18 DEC: Scranton, PA (home of Dunder Mifflin :-) -- i wonder if dwight will be there)
• 18 DEC: Melbourne, FL
• 20 DEC: New York, NY
• 2 JAN: Columbia, MD
• 10 JAN: Roanoke, VA
• 10 JAN: Birmingham, AL
• 14 JAN: Huntsville, AL
• 15 JAN: Harrisburgh, PA
• 16 JAN: Ft. Walton, FL
• 17 JAN: Tallahassee, FL
• 23 JAN: Jacksonville, FL

please feel free to linkback to this blog post when you spread the word for the links, etc.  pay attention to the details for each location as venue and times may differ.