This week is TechFest here at Microsoft.

You can think of it as Microsoft Research’s show-and-tell science fair with other ‘Softies: It’s a live forum (yes, in person … or webcast if that suits your style) where our top researchers share their latest work and emerging technologies. The goal is kick-start conversations between researchers and products teams—and turn technologies and concepts into Microsoft products and features.

But TechFest is more than just a communication method between research and product: It’s a Microsoft tradition and coveted employee perk. And in all honesty, we’ve had a heck of a time figuring out how best to cover it on JobsBlog over the years. It’s like an amazing sunset or mountain vista. You sort of have to be here to experience it (which, of course, you can next year if you work here . . . We're just sayin'). :) 

Luckily, our friends at TechFest and Microsoft Research are sharing as much non-confidential videos, photographs and project details as they can this year. It’s not the same as viewing it live and chatting 1:1 with the researchers, but . . .

In this interactive narrative, you can go behind the scenes of 17 Microsoft Research projects. And if you want to be here next year, join us!)

- Gretchen