The UK .NET Community continues it's alternative game of Risk using the UK as the map of the world. In the beginning there was Coventry and Birmingham. Both had just 2 armies and the mighty VBUG covered the whole land. But the mighty VBUG squandered its armies and first Oxford and then Cambridge fell and the writing was on the wall. With its back to the wall VBUG had a change of management and started the fight back. But it was too late. Southampton was next and most recently it is Hereford's turn to be seduced by the dark side. So far NxtGen are being contained in the Midlands and South with the land to the South West forming a mighty and seemingly impenetrable wall against the onslaught. But what of the North ? Spies recently uncovered a secret NxtGen document detailing invasion assimilation recruitment plans for Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. Stay tuned for more as-it-happens updates on the war effort and the fight of the free world to stop us all from becoming enslaved to the monthly fees of membership.

On a lighter note the first Hereford meeting is on Monday 16th March 2009 at the Shire Hall in Union Street and will feature Dave McMahon giving an intro to becoming a NxtGen drone being part of the NxtGen family and I will be giving a presentation on:-

• Visual Studio 2008 IDE Tips and Tricks
  Visual Studio is a treasure trove of functionality and productivity. The problem is that many developers don't know what's there. In this session we will cover some simple and not so simple tips and tricks and improve your productivity and enjoyment of Visual Studio. The majority of tips and tricks are common to both Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio 2008.