Software developers. They're an interesting breed.

Like a baptism by fire, my first report for Blogcritics is from the very nerve center of geekdom - a conference about software development. Microsoft Tech.Ed Developers 2006 is this year hosted in the excellent International Conference Center in Barcelona. Over four days, something in the region of 4,500 computer nerds (me being one) will sit through hundreds of hours of presentations, seminars and 'Chalk and Talk' sessions relating to all things good and bad in the sphere of Microsoft software development.

Already I've sat through presentations on how to build software faster, with fewer errors, using the latest and greatest tools for this, most elite, of nerd clubs. It's the people here at conferences like Tech.Ed that will be building the computer software of tomorrow. Software that will allow your fridge to order its own milk when running low, let your car drive itself, and let you lose yourself in a virtual pixel world of debauchery and corruption. But enough about Second Life, let's talk tech.

Microsoft are making big noises about Windows Vista, Microsoft Office 2007 and some new tools for developers that the Lords of Redmond hope will help them win the battle in the Web 2.0 landscape. The lavish amount of tech geekery, food and free access to the Internet here really demonstrate how much Microsoft continually court the development community. Demonstrations of Microsoft's Live Services, such a Virtual Earth, have drawn a lot of interest - especially for those that have read the post on TechCrunch about the new 3D interface offered. Needless to say, Microsoft's finest is out trying to convince ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) and customers alike to adopt its Live Services over those offered by Web 2.0 darling Google.

I can't help but feel, however, that there's still something missing. You are genuinely impressed by the scale; but despite all of the whitepapers that are thrust into my hand, and all of the endless rows of PCs running Windows Vista and Office 2007,  it's all a bit soulless.