New Year's Resolution: How to Learn PowerShell in 2012

PowerShell v3 is right around the corner, folks. If you haven't taken the time to get a solid foundation in PowerShell, you're probably going to struggle with it. Every day, I'm helping folks (at http://powershell.com/cs/forums/230.aspx) learn a bit more about PowerShell by helping them through tricky commands - but I kinda feel bad. I can't always reply to questions immediately, so I'm basically holding them up while they wait for an answer.

But a lot of those questions are ones you could avoid completely if you had a solid grounding in PowerShell's basics. That's what I deliver with Learn Windows PowerShell in a Month of Lunches, and this holiday season why not set yourself up to make 2012 the Year You Learned the Shell? Between Christmas and New Year's Eve, visit http://store.concentratedtech.com/2011.php for a great deal on my PowerShell book for beginners, the advanced "scripting and toolmaking" book, and the 99-video companion DVD. Quantities are limited, so rush right over Christmas morning!

Take a look at local classes in your area, too, if you're more of a classroom person. Or, if you don't have decent training in your local area, consider a conference like Windows Connections (http://winconnections.com), where I often deliver several PowerShell-related breakout sessions and full-day workshops. Check out a user group (there's a directory at http://powershellgroup.org), either locally or online, and exchange ideas and answers with your colleagues.

Whatever you do, don't think that you can safely ignore PowerShell. Windows "8" Server brings thousands of new commands, and without a proper course in the core principles of PowerShell you're going to have a rough time using them. Don't wait until PowerShell gets bigger and more complex to start learning! If you've put it off this long, you're perilously behind the curve… close enough that you might want to start practicing "would you like fries with that?" for your next job (grin). 

Jump in!