If no one is there, is it really a user group meeting? Yep! If it’s virtual at least…

Team System User Group – Virtual Edition (TSUG-VE)

“The Team System Users Group (TSUG) Virtual Edition (VE) is dedicated to creating a community for Microsoft’s Visual Studio Team System users and enthusiasts wherever they may be. The group will provide a social forum, education opportunities at all levels, and the ability to share our Team System successes and stories with each other

There are other Visual Studio Team System User Groups around… Why is TSUG-VE different? The answer is simple - by going virtual now all people can participate regardless of where they live.

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TSUG VE for Second Life will meet online every month. We will target the third Thursday of each month at 6PM SLT but times and dates may vary based on holidays and speaker availability. Sign up and we will send you a monthly email reminding you of the time, the topics and speakers, and the SLURL to join the meeting.

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I just got “back” from my first virtual user group meeting and I have to say it was pretty interesting. Why? Well the venue was cool (i.e. Second Life), but it was the out of band discussions and interactivity that really made it sing.

Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard that before. Everyone who blogs or casts about virtual user group meetings seem to say that, but until you experience it, you might not get the real feel of it. Think real life (RL) meeting, but where instead of that person who is banging away on their notebook is being rude, that’s the expected behavior! Instead of having to change your focus from person to person in the meeting, from screen to whiteboard to paper to notebook, it’s all there in one place, right there on your PC. And also no one can see when you have to leave to get another drink (err… of…um… soda… yeah… )

Is it perfect? Oh no. But then again, when are RL meetings perfect? Both seem to have there people and PC problems, it’s just that in virtual meetings they might be magnified a little (i.e. one bad mic can really test you… yes, CSharp, I’m looking at you… lol…  ;)

Still given the convenience and coolness of it, I’m pretty much hooked.

If you’re looking for Team System and/or Team Foundation Server information, TSUG-VE is a resource you should check out…