PHOTO GALLERY: First glimpses of Aussie Tech Ed revealed

Pinball machines, arcade games, a Guitar Hero competition, and a pseudo game show on core infrastructure. Microsoft's Tech Ed is clearly not just about getting a technical education.

Delegates poured into the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre last night for the opening party and a chance to play in the ultimate geek paradise (see photo gallery right).

This year, visitors to the exhibition hall will not only find a plethora of partners and vendors showing their wares.

There is also the opportunity to unwind in the MSDN lounge, get a head and neck massage and watch the crowd cluster around Amnesia's most prized Microsoft Surface table.

A bit further down into hall five, attendees can test their driving skills on Forza 2 Motorsport in front of individual Samsung LCD TVs.

For those wanting to relive their days of misspent youth, there's also a great range of old pinball and arcade machines on offer – all free, naturally.

Delegates can also get their first glimpse of the sophisticated RFID system operating at Tech Ed, as they enter the exhibition hall.

A large scaffold structure has been erected across the entry with two readers attached.

There will also no doubt be plenty of interest in the 2008 backpack – a sporty green Targus number that features, among other things, an insulated drink pouch, a slit to bring your headphones out of the front pocket easily, and a sunglasses pouch.

Inside, attendees will find a drink bottle, some sort of red nose-shaped object, nine DVDs and an assortment of paper.