Earlier this month, Microsoft's Windows Insider team announced #InsiderUP, an initiative that aims to help everybody and anybody learn to code, no matter where they are in the world or what occupation they have. Microsoft has been working closely with people across the globe to build and test new tools aimed to achieve precisely that. Many of these tools are still in development, but the #InsiderUP team is inviting Insiders to try out early versions of the tools now.
What's up with #InsiderUP?
At a secret session held at Build 2019 in Seattle, I was invited to check out some of the tools and projects people have created using Microsoft technologies. It was inspiring to hear the stories of four Windows Insiders who work incredibly hard to help others learn to code, bring communities together, and give people the chance to achieve their goals. The #InsiderUp initiative is all about community, bringing people together for an opportunity to learn, code, and create.
From the related post on the Windows Insider blog:
... the feedback we've heard from around the world is that some people learn best by working with others in real life. This resonated with our experience too, and we realized that we need to find a way to help anyone learning to code not feel so alone. We recognize the road in front of us is steep. We know that sitting here in Seattle, we won't know all the needs of local communities who are learning to code. This is where we need YOU to represent the needs of your community. This is exactly what the Windows Insider Program is about—building Windows products and services for everyone in the world.
The #InsiderUP team is also highlighting several tools and services that are either already available or are coming soon, including Microsoft Airband, Microsoft Learn, Codie, and more. These are all designed to help people achieve more when it comes to coding, which fits right into Microsoft's motto.
A new Insider app coming soon
Microsoft talked a bit more about the upcoming Windows Insider app, built entirely as a Progressive Web App (PWA), meaning it'll be available across all platforms. While Microsoft didn't say when the PWA would be made available, users who are interested in trying out a preview of the app will be able to sign up soon. The new PWA will be a one-stop shop for all your Insider info, including details on the latest builds, changes to the program, and updates on other Insider initiatives such as #InsiderUP.
If you're interested in getting involved with the Windows Insider community, online or in person, I recommend you check out the #InsiderUP blog post where you can find out more information about this initiative and sign up for any tools and services you might be interested in. The Insider Team wants to help people learn to code, no matter where they are. If you're someone who thinks you can't learn to code because of your location, age, or occupation, the #InsiderUP initiative wants you to think again.
It's great to see the Insider Program being used for more than just a preview program for Windows 10. While that is still a huge part of it, Microsoft wants to leverage the Insider Program for more than just testing software. It wants to help people change the world; it intends to bring people together; and it wants to make the idea of learning to code less intimidating to people who might think they can't do it.
What are your thoughts on the #InsiderUP initiative? Let us know in the comments.
