A quick tip, this one. I downloaded the latest firmware update to my Surface Pro this evening. It rebooted and promptly requested my bitlocker unlock code. I don’t keep those to hand – they’re stored in our Active Directory. Fortunately I had another laptop with DirectAccess so I could find the key. Be ready with your recovery key if you too have enabled bitlocker and perform firmware updates.
Being allowed out in public: Forthcoming events
It’s autumn again, and that means event season is upon us once more. In the next few months I’m getting around a bit, so this post is a plug for the events I’m either attending or speaking at.
- October 1st is VMUG Leeds. I’m registered to attend, but chances are I’ll be spending much of the day helping the Microsoft guys run their hand-on lab. The agenda has some great-sounding sessions and I believe there are still spaces so why not register and come along.
- October 12th is DDDNorth in Sunderland. Perhaps unsurprisingly my Lab Manager session wasn’t voted in, but I’m sure that’s because the range of speakers and topics available to choose from during voting meant hard choice had to be made . As with last year, I’m helping out on the day but I’m also hoping to attend (heckle) some of the sessions. Black Marble should be there in force, as Richard, Steve and Gary are all speaking. Former BM staffer Iain Angus’ session looks interesting too!
- December 4th is the Black Marble [Architecture Forum in the North](http://www.blackmarble.co.uk/events.aspx?event=Architecture Forum in the North - 6). With so many great speakers lined up already I’m not sure if Linda will squeeze me in, but I’ll certainly be there to join in the discussion (and make sure the AV works!).
- January 29th is the Black Marble Annual Tech Update. I’ll be speaking in the [morning, IT-focused session](http://www.blackmarble.co.uk/events.aspx?event=Annual TechUpdate for Microsoft Technologies for the IT Pro). It’s hard work to prep for but great fun to deliver and the feedback we get is always really great so come along if you want to be informed about the Microsoft roadmap to help your planning process. The [afternoon session covers the development technologies](http://www.blackmarble.co.uk/events.aspx?event=Annual TechUpdate for Microsoft Technologies for Developers) too!
- Microsoft also have a new season of Tech.Days about to kick off, so keep an eye on their web site for details.
Links from presentation on Server 2012 R2
Thanks to all who attended the ReBuild and TechEd revisited event today. I promised that I would post the links from the final slide to this blog so you can all start evaluating Server 2012 R2 and System Center 2012 R2.
Download and evaluate the Preview software
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/evaluate/trial-software.aspx
Refer to additional Windows Server 2012 R2 resources
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/windows-server/windows-server-2012-r2.aspx
Windows Server 2012 R2 on TechNet
http://www.Microsoft.com/technet
Refer to additional System Center 2012 R2 resources
