IndiMix 06: The Microsoft India Event

The web has become increasingly powerful and dynamic and we need to adapt to the newer technologies. That was the broad message given at the IndiMix 06 – The Next Web Now event which was organized by Microsoft in Mumbai. The highlight of the show was the introduction by none other than Steve Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft Corporation. He set the tone for the day by introducing the audience to WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) and the next version of .NET Framework including an enthusiastic “hallelujah” on announcing the release of Windows Vista.

It was also the time to announce the launch of Microsoft’s Expression products comprising Expression Web, Graphic Designer and Interactive Designer. The products support a language called XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language and pronounced as ‘Zammel’) which has been built for the .NET Framework 3.0. The products are an attempt to bridge the old divide between the designer and the developer communities and one hopes to see the ease in the application development processes.

Celebrity presence is rare during technology summits. So many were awed by the presence of Anil Kumble who had come in his capacity as the director of his company StumpVision. He presented a demo of his new product called MatchCast, a statistical software which has been developed using Microsoft technologies such the .NET Framework. The product enables live telecast of cricket matches while viewers can also browse through the player analysis. Yash Chopra was also there for the launch of the new YashRaj Films website and promote his forthcoming action flick Dhoom 2. There was also a session with eminent personalities including Anupam Mittal (CEO, Shaadi.com) and Neeraj Vora (CEO, Hungama.com) taking questions from the host Tarun Gulati and advising young entrepreneurs on the future of the internet business. In a nutshell, the event was a heady mixture of future technologies and Microsoft’s vision of the Windows LIVE platform and also an occasion to see and hear the gurus from a close angle.

The response to the event was apparently great as it was being telecast on Reliance Mobiles. Mandira Bedi was roped in to host the show on the webcast. Having said that, the food was served in the hot outdoors ensuring that the ice cream melted in my plate rather than the mouth. One could see long queues of hungry souls waiting for their turn at the many serving tables. More exhausting and irritating was the supply of the feedback forms that had to be filled after EVERY session ended. Hope the organizers understand THIS user-experience when they arrange the next IndiMix.