Windows Azure is the development, hosting, and management environment of the Microsoft Cloud Platform that enables you to run applications at Internet scale while leveraging the skills and tools you use today.

The goal of this light-weight, free-form program is to get early hands-on access to the Windows Azure Platform and shape the content surrounding this exciting technology for use by selected faculty and students around their research and teaching needs.

For a FREE 30-day pass (no credit-card required), visit www.WindowsAzurePass.com and enter promo code KKUMAR. Your Windows Azure Pass will be activated within a day and you can start deploying to the cloud. Once you get a pass you can attend one of our two day boot camp events to learn more about Windows Azure, try some hands on labs on your own time, or join us online during our office hours to get your questions answered. Also, check out the call for Abstracts and participation for the Microsoft Cloud Futures 2011 conference organized by Microsoft Research.