Sandeep Patnaik is the author of Mastering Windows 365 we got the chance to sit down with him and find out more about his experience of writing with Packt.
Q: How did you become an author for Packt? Tell us about your journey. What was your motivation for writing this book?
Sandeep: Writing a book in my area of expertise has always been a dream of mine, and I was fortunate to be introduced to Packt by a colleague. Working with the team at Packt has been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with my co-authors. The experience has been both challenging and rewarding, and I’m proud of the final product that we were able to create together. I look forward to exploring more opportunities to share my knowledge and expertise with others in the future.
Q: What is the name of your book?
Sandeep: Mastering Windows 365.
Q: What kind of research did you do, and how long did you spend researching before beginning the book?
Sandeep: As a core member of the product group responsible for building and owning Windows 365, I have a unique and valuable perspective on the technology. My firsthand experience with the development process undoubtedly informed much of what I wrote, and I’m sure that readers will appreciate the insights that I was able to provide as a result. It’s always valuable to have an insider’s view on a technology, and I hope that my contributions to the book will be appreciated by many.
Q: What key takeaways do you want readers to come away with from the book?
Sandeep: What you will learn – Understand the features and uses of Windows 365 and Cloud PCs – Extend your existing skillset with Windows 365 and Intune – Secure your Windows 365 Cloud PC connection efficiently – Optimize the Cloud PC user experience through effective analysis and monitoring – Explore how partners extend the value of Windows 365 – Use the available tools and data within Windows 365 – Troubleshoot Windows 365 with effective tips and tricks.
Q: Can you share any blogs, websites and forums to help readers gain a holistic view of the tech they are learning?
Sandeep: Sure, here you go: https://aka.ms/windows365.
Q. Did you face any challenges during the writing process? How did you overcome them?
Sandeep: Not challenges per se, but certainly a lot of good learning – from the book writing process to collaborating across time zones with various team members. That said, there were a couple of areas where I think things could have been improved. Specifically, I would have appreciated the ability to log in with my own credentials to edit and comment, and I would have preferred to use the Word desktop app rather than Word online for editing purposes.
Q. How would you describe your author journey with Packt? Would you recommend Packt to aspiring authors?
Sandeep: The team at Packt is amazing. They took good care of us and helped us along the way at every step. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed the journey thoroughly. Yes, I’d strongly recommend Packt to aspiring authors.
Q. Why should readers choose this book over others already on the market? How would you differentiate your book from its competition?
Sandeep: Mastering Windows 365 starts by covering the fundamentals of Windows 365, helping you gain a deep understanding of deployment, management, access, security, analysis, and extensions with partner solutions. As you progress, you’ll explore the different connectivity layers and options to optimize your network connectivity from the endpoint to your Cloud PC. You’ll also learn how to manage a Cloud PC via the Microsoft Intune admin center successfully and experience how Windows and Windows 365 come together to provide new integrated experiences with Windows 11. In addition, this book will help you prepare for the new MD-102 Endpoint Administrator Exam, enhancing your career prospects.
Q. What is/are your specialist tech area(s)?
Sandeep: My specialist tech areas are Windows 365, Desktop Virtualization, Cloud.
Q. What advice would you give to readers jumping into this technology? Do you have any top tips?
Sandeep: Windows 365 is a new and exciting addition to the technology landscape, and it’s likely to become an essential part of many people’s day-to-day lives. To get the most out of it, take the time to understand its features and capabilities, try it out for yourself, and incorporate it into your daily routine as needed. With a little patience and exploration, you’ll be able to take full advantage of everything that Windows 365 has to offer.
Q. What’s your take on the technologies discussed in the book? Where do you see these technologies heading in the future?
Sandeep: Windows 365 represents the future of Windows computing, delivered directly from the cloud. With its innovative approach to delivering Windows, I believe that this technology will become an essential tool for commercial users in the years to come. Its durability and flexibility make it a valuable asset for businesses of all sizes, and I expect it to become a quintessential technology that will be widely adopted over the next decade.
Q. How did you organize, plan, and prioritize your work and write the book?
Sandeep: I thoroughly enjoyed writing the book, as it was a passion project rather than a chore. Despite the demands of my office work and family responsibilities (especially with a newborn baby), I made sure to use any available time to work on it. This included late nights, early mornings, and even some all-nighters. Overall, the experience was both fun and enjoyable.
Q. What are your favorite tech journals? How do you keep yourself up to date on tech?
Sandeep: LinkedIn has been my favorite – esp. since the whole tech community is there. Wired, Forbes, The Verge and ZDNet (among others) help me stay up to date on tech.
Q. Would you like to share your social handles? If so, mention them below.
Sandeep: Sure. Here you go:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeeppatnaik
Twitter: @sandeeppatnaik.
Q: What is that one writing tip that you found most crucial and would like to share with aspiring authors?
Sandeep: When it comes to writing, patience and perseverance are key. Start by getting your thoughts down on paper, and then focus on organizing them into sections and chapters. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Packt team – they are incredibly helpful and always willing to lend a hand.
You can find Sandeep’s book on Amazon by following this link: Please click here
