microsoft 365

Join me as I reflect on my recent trip to the European SharePoint Conference in Stockholm, highlighting both the logistical convenience of the event and my candid take on the keynote presentations. I share my observations on the renewed focus on SharePoint and the anticipation for the upcoming SharePoint 2016 Beta 2, while also noting the surprising lack of significant news regarding Yammer.

With Microsoft’s $7.5 billion acquisition of GitHub making headlines, I dive into the prevailing skepticism surrounding the deal by examining Microsoft’s past acquisitions. Contrary to common fears that Microsoft ruins the platforms it buys, I argue that services like Skype, LinkedIn, and Minecraft have actually improved or found new value under its stewardship.

If you are interested in the practical realities of sitting for the SC-200 certification, read my candid experience taking the Security Operations Analyst exam. I share how I balanced preparation with my training schedule, dealt with the logistical challenges of remote proctoring, and navigated the specific question formats and difficulty levels on exam day.

I break down the key features and pricing of Microsoft's latest Surface lineup, including the Surface Book 3, Go 2, and new audio accessories, to help you understand what’s actually new. As a satisfied Surface Book 2 user who primarily works on a desktop, I share my perspective on whether these incremental upgrades, such as the added 32 GB RAM option, justify an upgrade for developers and power users.

As a multi-technology expert who previously felt constrained by the MVP program's single-discipline focus, I explore how the new, broader award categories align better with my diverse work across the Microsoft stack. This change allows me to continue engaging with various technologies like Azure and Office 365 without fearing that my contributions to SharePoint will be overlooked.