My thoughts on the MVP Program "Deterioration" Post

A post was made last week regarding the perceived deterioration of the MVP program at http://www.dicks-blog.com/archives/2006/02/01/the-deterioration-of-the-mvp-program/.  Now that I am back home and have gotten a chapter out, I wanted to throw my two cents worth in on the subject, and reserve the right to make it four cents at a later time.

  • So what if there are some young MVPs.  If you have skills, you have skills.
  • Favoritism.  The truth is that there is favoritism in everything (and I hate it to), just deal with it.
  • Authors and Community Web Site Owners.  I can't speak for a community web site owner, but as an author, I can guarantee that the pay really sucks(yeah, I am no longer "work safe" with this blog entry).  As a lead author, the situation is even worse.  The other authors get mad at you because the publisher says something.  The publisher is mad at you because someone is not getting their stuff done on time.  Did I mention that the pay really sucks?  I am not saying that every author on a MS topic should be an MVP, but I am saying that being an author is a good qualification.  This idea that because someone is an author that disqualifies them really gets me upset.  It is typically made by people that have no idea how little money most authors make on a technology book.  I write because I love the technology, want to learn new things, and share with the community, definitely not for the money.  I honestly believe that authors deserve somethng extra given the crap that they have to go through.
  • The program has gone downhill in the last few years.  Well, I got my MVP in 2004.  I have written several books (currently working on my third), heavily blog, go to user groups in the south east to speak, pay for those trips out of my pocket, and run the ASP.NET Podcast.  I think I am worthy.  To say that it has gone downhill over the last few years insults me and a number of people that I know that are new MVPs that I think are worthy.
  • Grandfathering.  I know of some people that were not reawarded this year.  To think that the MVP award is forever does not jive with the facts.
  • Newsgroups.  Well, there are more places to talk then the newsgroups.  I don't hang out a lot in newsgroups, so it is rare to see me in there.  I am glad that MS has expanded their vision beyond the newsgroups. 

To me, that post reads just like those old jokes that the "older generation" always had it harder than the "younger generation."  I almost expected to hear the poster say something about walking uphill to and back from the MVP Summit through three feet of snow.

3 Comments

  • During the war ....

  • I completely agree with you on the MVP matter! Becoming an MVP is not an easy task (usually), thus the award should be recognized regardless of age, gender, or ethnic background!

  • Wally,



    I love your comments. From my perspective, yes the program is changing, and for the better. With change comes resistance. My stated mission is to "Build Developer Communities in FL/AL/MS". Scarily enough, my nod for MVP is worth something right now. My _first_ bar a potential candidate has to get over for my nomination is community face time engagement. I'm not going to use my nominations to help out people who are simply posting newsgroups, although its great they are there. There are plenty of guys in Redmond watching he newsgroups for that. When I see someone doing good facetime work, that I think can also pass the Redmond bar, I'll nominate them. Incidentally, 3/4 of my last nominees made the cut. They passed my bar, and the redmond bar before they made it in.

    Of course Wally, if you ever need any backup on your nomination, you know you can always count on me. I appreciate your support of our developer communities (offline!).



    Joe Healy, Microsoft Developer Evangelist, FL/AL/MS

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