All Microsoft Events Will Be Digital-only Until July 2021

Microsoft is planning to make all of its internal and external events digital-only until July 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. From a report: The software maker had already revealed Build 2020, due to be held in Seattle in May, would transform into a digital event. This digital-only focus is now extending to far more events over the next year. "In light of the challenges presented by COVID-19, Microsoft has been closely monitoring the developing global situation and re-assessing the overall company-wide in-person event strategy," explains a recent email to Microsoft MVPs. "As a company, Microsoft has made the decision to transition all external and internal events to a digital-first experience through July 2021."

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[cornfeedhobo]

spineless AC says what?

All of these should be.

[Random361]

Even something like Defcon which is likely to be cancelled this year should be video conference. I'm not saying that if this COVID-19 crap wasn't going on that the in-person events should be cancelled. I'm saying that even after this at least the presentations should be video streamed. This benefits people who can't get away from work, who can't afford the travel and accommodation, or for whatever reason wouldn't be able to go. Hell, I'd go as far as to say even stream the parties. It's nothing like going

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[SemiProfessional]

Microsoft makes videos of all conference sessions available for free. For example, you can view all Ignite sessions online.

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[tlhIngan]

I think Defcon is streamed in the end - maybe not livestreamed, but the talks are recorded and available for free online afterwards. And it's understandable why since they're productions and often need a bit of editing with the visuals, audio and all that.

The goal is less the talks themselves (even the attendees will often re-watch the stream because you can often see things better), but the face to face meetup. Livestreaming the parties really doesn't achieve anything since you really have to be there.

It's

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[EvilSS]

The big problem with virtual conferences is that it's hard to actually be there 100%. If you are attending in person, it's hard to interrupt you for other work (not impossible, but a hell of a lot harder). If you are attending virtually, it's easy to get pulled away for this or that then you end up missing quite a lot.

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[Cyberax]

But what's the problem with that? Just stop the video and resume later. I guess you'll miss a chance to ask questions online. Perhaps presenters should link a Discourse channel to their presentation and then answer questions there for a while.

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[EvilSS]

That assumes you can stop the video. If we are talking live streams they may not be able to. Many conferences post videos later, but usually not right away. Heck some might never get put up. I was at a partner conference in January where one of the more controversial sessions never made it to the conference site. It's not unusual for whatever reason for some sessions to be live only and not show up later. That's happened at virtually every conference I've been to.

July 2021 is...

[BringsApples]

...over a year away. If we're all in lockdown for a whole year, forget about almost everything you know that makes today, "today". By God, people may even come to know that life is a lot easier than we've decided to make it. That and there'll be far fewer people on the planet - which will be really nice.

Second Life

[pyroclast]

So it appears phase two of COVID reclusion will lead to a resurgence of Second Life. Conferences will be held there and corporations will generate their office space within. Phase three will be total immersion VR; dare I say we saw a preview with Ready Player One? God help us all.