Tech-Ed instead of Microsoft PDC?

Question

For the last 8 years or so I've been making a point to attend PDC. This past year I did not feel that I got nearly as much out of the conference then I have in years past. I think mainly this was because I'm still trying to learn the new technologies introduced during the last PDC, and I felt I spent most of my time searching for good content on present technology. However, as the conference was PDC and the focus of course being new technology, I felt most of my time there was spent context switching and I guess I just felt a little weary of that.

Anyway, I'm considering going to Tech-ed instead because I pretty much can only afford to go to one or the other. I've never been to a Tech-ed event, but from what I've read about it, Tech-ed seems to be more geared towards Microsoft's current technology rather then future technology (something like more LINQ content less "Azure" content). I'm also kinda of wondering whether or not Tech-eds have more interactive content like Labs, BOF's, workshops etc.

For those of you who have been to both, which one would you advise that I go to (if it truly could only be one or the other?) Would missing PDC be considered sacrilegious to a Microsoft developer? ;-) Would I really get more "applicable" information from a Tech-ed?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

TechEd absolutely has Labs, BOF, and all of that stuff.

TechEd also has a heavier IT contigent (as opposed to pure development). That brings out more of the existing technology because they will bring out topics like "Supporting 5,000,000 users on IIS7. You can't really get that at PDC because everything is so new. There is of course stuff hinting at "vNext" in their products, but nowhere near as much as PDC.

I straddle the fence on IT infrastructure and Development. If you are working for a cutting edge development house, I think its PDC all the way. If you are more business-focused and need to support things for the long haul, I think TechEd is the better one.

Answer 2

The last time I checked the European TechEd was split into a developer and a system admin week, unlike the US one. In European I think it comes down to if you wish to learn about what you can use now (TechEd) or what you may be able to use in a few years time (PDC)