Summary: The Microsoft Scripting Guys formally announce the 2012 Scripting Games featuring Windows PowerShell.
Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, here. It must be spring—at least in the Charlotte, North Carolina area in the United States. Last week, I had the 2012 Scripting Games kick off meeting with management, and I am really looking forward to this year’s games. Dr. Scripto is finally thawing out from the snowy winter weather, and he is ready for spring and the games. (Thanks to my editor, Dia Reeves in Redmond Washington, for the picture.)
In fact, I have been quietly planning for several months now. There will be two categories: Beginner and Advanced. Just like last year, the beginner’s division is really for beginners. If you have been wanting to learn Windows PowerShell, but you did not know how to go about it, you definitely need to sign up for the 2012 Scripting Games to give yourself a bit of added incentive. If you want to take your skills to the next level, you will want to participate in the advanced category.
In a major departure from previous rules, if you want to compete by using the beta version of Windows PowerShell 3.0, you are welcome to use it. You will be limited to the most recent version that is publically available, and you must specify that when you submit your scripts.
I will be putting together the finishing touches on the Study Guide for the 2012 Scripting Games to help you in your study and preparation for the games. The Study Guide will be available on February 5, 2012. This guide will be useful for both beginning and advanced scripters. In the meantime, you should check out the study guide for the 2011 Scripting Games and the events from the 2011 Scripting Games. You might also want to review the study guide for the 2010 Scripting Games, in addition to the events from the 2010 Scripting Games.
Even if you are not planning to enter the 2012 Scripting Games (and I cannot fathom why because they are fun, free, and functional) the materials from the 2010 and 2011 Scripting Games combine to create a great hands-on lab for learning Windows PowerShell scripting.
The 2012 Scripting Games will officially launch on Monday April 2, 2012. Just like last year, things will be a bit different from a Windows PowerShell perspective, and I intend to put scriptwriters of all levels of accomplishment through the paces of ten real-world-based scenarios.
The second obvious thing to mention is that the events are live a week before the answers will be available for viewing. This means that Event 1 reveals on Monday April 2, 2012, and you will be able to submit your answer on that same date. However, no one will be able to view the answers that are submitted to PoshCode for Event 1 prior to Monday April 9, 2012. On Monday April 9, 2012, submissions for Event 1 cease. This adds to the mystery of the event and heightens suspense.
There are probably a dozen tweaks and improvements to the 2012 Scripting Games, but the essential elements are unchanged. We are continuing our partnership with PoshCode this year because I think it is cool to collaborate with Microsoft MVPs, and I am all about community participation. Besides all that, the PoshCode people are fun to work with.
What else do I need to say? Oh yeah, how about prizes? There will be awesome prizes this year…stay tuned for that announcement. How about celebrity judges, expert commentators, and other stuff? Check, check, and check!
One last thing…
On Twitter, I will be using the tag #2012SG, so it will be easy to filter out tweets related to the games. Be sure to check out the Scripting Guys Facebook page too.
I hope you are as excited about the 2012 Scripting Games as I am—they will be awesome!
Oh wait!
The Scripting Wife just told me she will enter the 2012 Scripting Games again this year (of course, because she is the Scripting Wife, she is not eligible for any prizes, and her standing in the games does not affect the standing of anyone else). Because she is participating in the games, you should expect to see some more Scripting Wife blogs popping up.
I would love you to follow me on Twitter or Facebook. If you have any questions, send email to me at scripter@microsoft.com or post them on the Official Scripting Guys Forum. See you tomorrow. Until then, peace.
Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy