This Tuesday, 20th November, I'll be speaking the Queensland MSDN User group.

If you're in the Brisbane region, please come along!

Time: 17:30 for 18:00 - 19:30
Location: Microsoft Brisbane office, Level 9, Waterfront Place, 1 Eagle St, Brisbane

Here's the topic...

Coming out of the garage: Build your own tiny software company.

Brisbane's most handsome developer answers such age old riddles as:

• Why is a MicroISV better than a license to print money?
• What simple steps can I take to turn my latent ideas into a source of passive income?

A walkthrough of what's involved in establishing your personal software empire, without resorting to cyber crime.

Leon is an independent .net consultant, responsible for TimeSnapper.com and secretGeek.net.

(While they mention my incredible good looks they fail to mention that I'll be sporting a plush moustache, which I'll explain below)

Robert Crago will also be speaking, on Mobile PC Development, and in particular:

A Pen is NOT a Mouse

Robert will demonstrate how ease of use can dramatically improve only if the full power of the pen is harnessed. New ways of inputting and selecting will be demonstrated, along with several innovative pen-centric controls for both TabletPC and Windows Mobile devices. Windows Mobile 6.0 WispLite ink and handwriting recognition will be featured. End users will learn what to look for in a great pen-powered application.

I'm very much looking forward to it and hope to see every last one of you there, regardless of your geographical dispersal.

Due to my current independent status, you'll observe that this is the first time I've spoken to anybody other than my invisible pet cat in over three weeks. It should be amusing and very confronting. Bring tranquilisers.

Now about that moustache...

Last year in Australia, almost 20,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, and almost 3000 died.

All through November I'm growin a mo, to bring ridicule upon myself and attention to this important cause.

To donate:
go to http://www.movember.com/au/donate, enter my registration number 83250 and your credit card details. Seven dollars ought to do it.

For Aussies:
You can instead send a cheque, payable to the "Movember Foundation", with my registration Number: 83250.

Send it to:

PO Box 292,
Prahran VIC 3181.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Money raised by Mo-vember is donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative, which will use the funds to create awareness, fund research and increase support networks for those men who suffer from prostate cancer and male depression.

Thanks for your support, and I hope to see ya on tuesday.

(False bravado regarding personal appearance is a trick i stole outright from that ugly misfit, justice gray. Cheers justice!)