Here’s a quick little post to remind you to vote for you top bloggers for 2015 – and of course, I’m hoping I will make the cut again this year. This years Top vBlog is sponsored by Infinio – and voting opened today and will be open until the end for Feb. The Top vBlog voting is always interesting as it makes me look back on my previous years output. Last year I carried on with my “Back To Basics” series – I’m about half-way through the content with more to come. By far the most popular post on mikelaverick.com has been the post about the configuration of vCenter after setting up Windows/Server Appliance – that’s had 71K page views alone, with its companion video pushing toward 2.5K views. It just goes to show that core vSphere knowledge is still a must, and there’s still a demand for that type of help online. I will have some exciting news around the “Back To Basics” series to announce shortly.
Last year I re-introduced my “Chinwag” podcast after about 18 month gap. This time around I’ve aimed for less aggressive cadence of releases. When I was independent I had more free time for the podcast and I was doing a weekly show. After joining VMware I had to manage my time more efficiently, and in the end the podcast was just put on the back-burner whilst I made the transition from independent to vendor aligned. August this year, will be third year at VMware, and my feet are firmly under the table. So I felt it was time for me to bring back the podcast albeit on a bi-weekly (or there abouts) schedule. The chinwag has started reloaded with some big names – but its my intention for the chinwag podcast to keep its roots in being a QA session with customers and folks from the community rather than it being a plaform for recognised vRockstars. I just needed some vRockstar love to get its back in front of people’s eyeballs…
August, 2014 saw me switch to into the all-new EVO:RAIL product. It’s my first time at VMware with brand new technology and working with all the different types of roles you get within a software company – the Exec, Product Manager, Marketing Manager, Development Team and Logistics and Documentation – and of course, our Qualified EVO:RAIL Partners. I’m 6 months into the role and loving every moment of it – even more so because all of its different and new experience for me. So what I’m trying to do with EVO:RAIL is get beyond marketing, technical content out there via my blog. That’s been quite task as I’ve been simultaneously learning the product whilst learning to deliver on the new role.
I remain committed to both promoting and contributing to the VMware User Group (VMUG) program. Last year I tried to attend and contribute to every VMUG in the Untied Kingdom. I didn’t quite make it to everyone as sometimes business and customers must come first – I think I was at 99% of the events. VMUG is very close to my heart because like so many others, it was the first public platform that stood upon and presented at. In effort to spread the benefits of the VMUG program I helped launch our feed4ward initiative, that offers an informal mentoring service to VMUG community members who are considering on getting up on the stage. I’ve used the blog to promote VMUGs, Feed4ward as well as other benefits and programs such as the all-new EVALExperience.
To vote for my blog and my contribution to the VMware Community this year – please visit the voting site here: