The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20160212100600/http://www.codeguru.com:80/azure_activities/
Azure eCamp Activities
We're here to help you enter the world of cloud computing. The activities on this page will not only help you get started using cloud services, but also might get you an award for your efforts! Start with Activity 1 which involves watching our Windows Azure eCamp eSeminar. Then try completing each of the additional activities to earn badges and get a chance at receiving awards.
Activities: Windows Azure Storage
The following activities will help you learn as well as apply Windows Azure cloud storage techniques. After watching the eSeminar in Activity 1, you can try your luck in the next three activities, which ask you to apply what you learned in the eCamp. For completing each of these three activities, you'll earn the right to use a badge as well as be considered for an additional award.
Getting Started: Watch the eCamp eSeminar
Watch the "Storing and Accessing Data in the Cloud" eSeminar to learn how to put your own data in the cloud, and more.
Follow the Leader: Create and Store Data on Azure
If you did Activity 1, then you were shown exactly how to create and store data on Windows Azure. Replicate what you saw and add your own (creative) data to complete this activity and get awarded.
Learn More ...
Do it on your Own: Create and Store Your Own Data on Windows Azure
If you completed Activity 2, then you were able to do what the eSeminar presented. Now create your own database and store your own data. Be creative in your schema and data and you could get awarded!
Learn More ...
Building it: Using Cloud Data from Windows Azure
The eSeminar in Activity 1 showed you how to access your data. Create a simple application, web site, or web service that can be shared with others. This should use your data store that you created in Activity 3.
Learn More ...
Bonus Activity: Join the chat on the Cloud and Windows Azure.
Join the bonus activity on December 17th. This activity will be a TweetChat where we will ask questions and have a discussion on Azure including storing data in the cloud. You'll want to be a part of this!
  Approx Date What Who was Awarded
Various Dates
November 1st, 2013
November 8th, 2013
December 11th, 2013

 Badges
$50 US ThinkGeek Gift Card
$25 US ThinkGeek Gift Card
$25 US TBD Gift Card

 *
David Glienna
Mohamed Khalaf
John Barlow
Various Dates
December 10th, 2013
December 16th, 2013

 Badges
$25 US ThinkGeek Gift Card
$50 US ThinkGeek Gift Card

 *
Mohamed Khalaf
John Barlow
Various
December 20th, 2013		 Badges
Windows 8 Tablet		 *
John Barlow
Latest Awards
John Barlow - Activity 4
Windows 8 Slate
John Barlow - Activity 3
$50 gift card to ThinkGeek
Mohamed Khalaf - Activity 3
$25 gift card to ThinkGeek
Mohamed Khalaf - Activity 2
$25 gift card to ThinkGeek
David Glienna - Activity 2
$50 gift card to ThinkGeek
Laura Feldman - Activity 1
Windows Surface RT
Recent Submissions
Activity 4 - John Barlow
Activity 3 - John Barlow
Activity 2 - John Barlow
Activity 4 - Mohamed Khalaf
Activity 3 - Mohamed Khalaf
Activity 2 - David Glienna
Activity 3 - Hannes du Preez
Windows Azure Ideas for Activity 2 (#AzureList)
Resources

Activity 1 Details
Getting Started: Watch the eCamp Seminar
To complete this first activity simply watch the Storing and Accessing Data in the Cloud eSeminar
Recorded Live on October 22nd, 2013 @ 2:00pm Eastern
WATCH NOW »
Description:
If you're already developing applications, it's a simple step to start using data in and from the cloud. Learn how to set up data in the cloud and use it within an application. In case you haven't gotten access to a cloud service, we'll start by quickly walking through the steps to set up a trial account with Microsoft's Windows Azure. This will be followed with step-by-step guidance on how to create a data source in the cloud, followed by illustrations showing how to access that data from your desktop, the Web or other applications. You should be able to follow along with this seminar and replicate the examples as they are shown. Near the end, you'll learn ways to customize what you've learned for your own uses. Finally, we'll present a few activities that we have planned for the following month to help you do more with Windows Azure and to possibly receive an award for what you do.
The Presenter:
Eric D. Boyd is the Founder and CEO of responsiveX, a Windows Azure MVP and a regular speaker at international conferences, code camps and user groups. He is so passionate about apps and cloud services that he founded responsiveX (www.responsiveX.com), a management and technology consultancy that helps customers create great Web, mobile and traditional client applications, powered by cloud services. Eric launched his technology career almost two decades ago with a Web development start-up and has served in multiple roles since then, including developer, consultant, technology executive and business owner. You can find Eric blogging at http://www.EricDBoyd.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EricDBoyd.

 

Update: We've made it easier! If you don't have time to watch the entire video, then simply read the article Storing Data on the Cloud. In this article, Eric shows you step-by-step how to sign up for Azure, create a database, and add data.

Activity 2 Details
Follow the Leader: Create and Store Data on Windows Azure.
Get your feet wet with Cloud Storage. Create a database as shown in the "Storing and Accessing Data in the Cloud" eCamp presentation and place it in Windows Azure. You should also create a service to access the data as shown in the presentation too. Once completed, submit your solution using the form to the right. You can include a link to a service to view your data. You can also mail that link to us at submit@Codeguru.com.

 

Update: We've made it easier! If you don't have time to watch the entire video, then simply read the article Storing Data on the Cloud. In this article, Eric shows you step-by-step how to sign up for Azure, create a database, and add data. Replicate the steps in the article, capture a screen shot of your data and you have what you need for this activity. Just fill in the form here, and email us the screen shots and you are eligible for the badges and consideration for an award! No need to create service for this activity; you can simply send a screenshot!

Incentives:
Once your submission is verified, you'll get:
1. The chance to learn!

2. Permission to use the following badges:
a.     I Do Cloud.
b.     I'm in the Cloud.


3. The chance to be considered for one of the gift cards listed below. These will be awarded to submissions that we consider creative regarding the items that were added. Around each of the following dates, we will pick a person to receive a gift card:

Date Amount Selected Person
November 1st, 2013 $50 US Card David Glienna
November 8th, 2013 $25 US Card Mohamed Khalaf
December 11th, 2013 $25 US Card John Barlow

Disclaimer: The gift cards will be given based on the editor's choice.

 
Submit Activity 2:
Use the folowing form to tell us about Activity 2.

Activity 3 Details
Create and Store Your Own Data on Windows Azure.
In this third challenge, build your own data store on Windows Azure. Follow what was shown in the eCamp presentation. However, be creative and store data for something else! Create your own database and place it in Windows Azure. You should also create a simple service to access your data as shown in the presentation. You can also create a simple application. Once you've completed a service or application that accesses your unique cloud data store, submit it to us via the form to the right or send us (submit@Codeguru.com) a link so we can use it to see the data you posted.
Be creative on the type of data you choose to store. On or near each of the following dates, we will pick a person to receive a gift card. We'll pick based on the creativity of the type of data you choose to store. If you are not selected, your submission will stay in the running each week, so provide your submission early to be considered more than once!


Not sure what to do? We'll use the hashtag #AzureLists to post some list ideas. If you have an idea for a simple list of data to store, tweet it to add to the list. We might even give a gift card or two if we see creative suggestions made in the list!

Disclaimer: The gift cards will be given based on the editor's choice.
Incentives:
Once your submission is verified, you'll get:
1. The chance to learn!

2. Permission to use the following badges:
a.     Level 2: I've Stored in the Cloud.
b.     Level 2: I've Stored in the Cloud.


3. The chance to be considered for one of up to 5 gift cards:

Announcement Date Amount Selected Person
December 10th, 2013 $25 US Card Mohamed Khalaf
December 16th, 2013 $50 US Card John Barlow
 
Submit Activity 3:
Use the following form to tell us about Activity 3.

Activity 4 Details
Using Cloud Data from Windows Azure
Take the final challenge and build your own application, service, or site that uses data you've stored in the cloud! Extend what you learned in the eCamp presentation to a unique solution. In this activity, you need to go beyond simply storing data in the cloud and focus on using your data in an application, service, or website. Be creative! You'll need to create the data you'll use and place it in Windows Azure. You can then focus on using that data in a creative, unique, or useful manner. Once you've completed a application that accesses your data store, submit it to us via the form or send us a link so we can use it to see the data you posted.
Just like with previous activities, be creative on the type of data you choose to store and in the way you use that data. On each of the following dates, we will pick a person to receive a Windows 8 Device. We'll pick based on the creative use of the data you chose to store. If you are not selected, your submission will stay in the running, so provide your submission early to be considered more than once!


If you are not sure what to do, then follow the hashtag #AzureLists. That tag is open for people to share ideas. If you have an idea for a simple list of data to store, tweet it to add to the list.

Disclaimer: The gift cards will be given based on the editor's choice.
Incentives:
Once your submission is verified, you'll get:
1. The chance to learn!

2. Permission to use the following badges:
a.     Level 2:
         I'm a Cloud Developer.
b.     Level 2:
         I've Developed for the Cloud.


3. The chance to be considered for one of up to 2 Windows 8 devices. *


4. A really good chance to have your solution spotlighted on Developer.com's      Cloud Gallery! An unlimited number of spotlights can be done.

If your submission has a value or is unique, then it will be considered for a spotlight. (Note: This is a $3000 value; it may require you to provide additional information for us to use in creating the spotlight.)

Announcement Date Amount Selected Person
December 20th, 2013 Win 8 Tablet John Barlow
 
Submit Activity 4:
Use the following form to tell us about Activity 4.

Bonus Activity Details
Tweet Chat:
Microsoft Windows Azure
You missed it, but you can still read it here!

On Tuesday, December 17th at 1:00pm Eastern we will hold a tweet chat on the topic of Windows Azure. Come share your thoughts, opinions, successes, and more. We'll chat about the cloud, how we can (or are) using it to do things around data, and more. You can also use this tweet chat to ask any questions about the activities happening here. We'll use #eWeekChat as our tag. Make sure to join us on the 17th!
 

The Fine Print
Rules, regulations, disclaimers, and other general text about these Activities:
All awards will be determined at the discretion and opinion of the site editor. The intent is for the awards to be based on an editorial review of submissions. The site editor may choose to use additional people to help make the award determinations; however, final determination will be made by the site editor.

The site editor might choose to give more or less awards than were listed on this site. This site, the editors, nor QuinStreet assume any liability for providing the awards. All taxes and fees are the responsibility of the person receiving the awards. Awards can be refused.

We reserve the right to offer alternative awards of a similar value.

The Windows 8 Pro devices will be determined by QuinStreet and will be an Acer Icona W3 or similar device. Only residents of the United States are eligible for the device award. If it is determined that the award should go to a resident outside of the United States, a gift card with an approximate value of $250 US will be given instead.

All decisions are final. We reserve the right to change the fine print, the activities, and anything else at any time. We want this to be a fun learning experience and hope the awards make it a little more interesting. This fine print is to cover the legal aspects of giving away things and to keep the lawyers happy!

By submitting an activity, you are giving QuinStreet the right to access the service, data, or other information you provided. Unless otherwise stated, you are also allowing you name to be posted to the site. You can see our complete terms of service and privacy policy via the links at the bottom of this page.