I just wanted to blog a couple of things here:

• The future of BizTalk (read: updated roadmap) is available here
• BizTalk Server 2006 R2 will launch in September of this year (read more here)
• Microsoft has opened the BizTalk Labs, which allows scientists (such as you) to experiment with various technologies

Looking for BizTalk goodness, straight from the team? Look no further.

Here's a new blog that's owned & operated by the product management team themselves. That's right, Mike Woods, Kris Horrocks, Steve Sloan, and Mark Berman will be contributing quality content every week!

Keep your RSS feeds pointed to it, because it'll be bringing you great BizTalk Server 2006 information, and beyond!

If your domain includes working with Microsoft connected systems (BizTalk, Windows Workflow Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation, SQL Server, Visual Studio, etc.) then you should be aware of this user group.

The UG covers the greater Seattle area, but you can stay engaged through their Website.

You can watch Steve Ballmer's keynote here. I've also uploaded a few photos from the event. My personal favorite was meeting Paul senior from Orange County Choppers (American Chopper).

Tip: To view my photos, select Conferences and Launch 2005 - San Francisco.

Plan now to attend this four day workshop covering Microsoft’s Business Process, Integration and Workflow to get up to speed on new and updated solutions for Business Process Automation, Integration Services and Workflow, including BizTalk Server 2006.

Click here for more information.

Besides the main launch event in San Francisco, on November 7, there are a few others in the West. Please feel free to register using code: LaunchTour2005.
  
Tuesday, December 6
  Colorado Convention Center
  700 14th Street
  Denver, CO.  80202
  303-228-8000
 
Tuesday, December 6
  Anaheim Convention Center
  800 W. Katella Ave.
  Anaheim, CA.  90802
  714-765-8950

This new division will unify the Distributed Systems Group (DSG) and the Business Process/Integration Division (BPID), bringing these technologies together:

• Windows Communication Foundation ("Indigo")
• Web Services Enhancements (WSE)
• InfoCard
• MSMQ
• Active Directory
• Microsoft Identity Integration Server (MIIS)
• BizTalk Server
• Host Integration Server
• Commerce Server
• RFID
• Industry Standard Accelerators
• Windows Workflow Services ("Windows OE").

Read the announcement here.

I was just informed that the extra appendix, the samples for the extra appendix and all the rest of the sample/exercise files for the Unleashed are now available for download on the SAMS site.  When you get to the page, click on the Download link in the More Information section.  Appendix C is cool because it covers most of the adapters.

Also, if you are searching for a good book on InfoPath, check out Thomas Robbins' book. Oh, and if you want to preview a cool technology, check out a few pages of this book using the Google/Print Beta.