The point when I really threw myself at Exchange technologies, was right around when Exchange 5.5 was released. I started out earlier with Exchange 4.0 and 5.0, but I was still focused on the cutting edge tech of Windows NT 4.0 at that point.
So back in the day, I decided to pick up a book named “Exchange Server 5.5: 24/7” and swallowed it cover to cover in a couple of days. That was the beginning of an Exchange “obsession” that hasn’t stopped. Yet.
Fast forward 5 years later, I’m sitting in a meeting room in Redmond; working on an Exchange project. Behind me are sitting a couple of guys who handle the messaging infrastructure for Microsoft Corp; to my left, a quiet guy busy typing away. During the introductions, the MS IT guys jump up and yell out to the guy sitting on my left: “Hey buddy! Your book is mandatory reading for all our new hires! Great job!” Heck of an endorsement!
The guy who wrote that Exchange 5.5 book, and who was sitting on my left during that faithful day in Redmond; Jim McBee. Really knowledgeable Exchange specialist and an overall nice guy. Over the years, Jim and I crossed paths at conferences and on email; but I was extremely honoured when he called on me to co-author his latest book on Exchange Server 2010. And I jumped on it!
And though our latest baby (#3) was on the way, and I was already knee deep in an Exchange 2010 technical writing project, I worked 20 hour days for about 4 months to complete my chapters in the book. Ross Smith IV was our Technical Editor; and he kept us honest, whether we wanted to or not. Many other fellow MVPs also contributed chapters to the book.
The result… 1000 pages of Exchange 2010 goodness published by Wiley and for sale on Amazon. If you are looking for a complete guide on Exchange administration, this is the book for you!
If you happen to attend the conference TechEd North America 2010, in New Orleans, Jim and myself will co-present the Exchange Pre-conference session. That’s right, a full day of Exchange 2010 that will make you laugh, cry and jump up and down with excitement about the greatest version of Exchange yet!