[What does MVP stands for...]
MVP stands for Microsoft© Most Valuable Professionals. It is an award that Microsoft© is giving to people providing regular support to peers in the public technical newsgroups.
News-what ?
If you don't know what newsgroups are then you are missing a big part
of the Internet. Basically newsgroups are public discussion groups
organized in hierarchies of interest. Among historical hierarchies
such as alt.* , rec.*, comp.* etc. many companies are now providing
custom, moderated, hierarchies. Microsoft© is
among this companies, providing lot of public and private discussion groups
about their products and technologies. Peers can ask questions, ask
for specific help or just discuss about the group-related product or
technology. If you know nothing about newsgroups I strongly suggest you to
have a look at Google help page (former Dejanews)
to find out one of the most exciting side of the Internet. If you just want to know
more about Microsoft© newsgroups have a look at the
support online page
So how do MVPs relate to newsgroups ?
MVPs are normal people that have received public recognition from Microsoft© for their regular high-level support in the newsgroups. The presence of MVPs ensures that almost all questions are answered by someone. MVPs do also auditing to notify bugs to Microsoft© and user feelings about the products. The MVP award last one year and the updated list, of SQL ServerTM and other products MVPs, is available at Microsoft site
Should I write directly to an MVP ?
Unless there's really a need for it, no! Your question (and the answer to it) can be important for everyone.
How do I become an MVP ?
Start by lurking in the newsgroup, as soon as you fell confortable start answering to questions. Try to be as clear as possible and avoid absolutely any flame. Other MVPs along with regular users and Microsoft© representatives will note your activity and eventually propose you for the MVP award.
How do I promote someone for the MVP award ?
If you want to propose yourself or someone else for the MVP award
just fill this referral form
Nice, but why someone should ever provide free support ?
Trying to satisfy your ego ? Trying to make this world a better place to live in ? Trying to stay in touch with real-world problems ? Trying to expose yourself to the world ? Who knows. Maybe is just because it is newsgroups' nature.
What about you ?
As for myself I started using newsgroups back in 1989 when I was in the Commodore Certified Developer program. At that time CATS provided support through a bunch of private newsgroups. Although I always had troubles with UUCP over my 2400 baud connection, I found the support great and I have been able to solve a great number of issues with free support provided by other people, so I started partecipating in the SQL ServerTM newsgroups around April 1997 and achieved the MVP award around April 1998.
What about the SQL ServerTM crew ?
The SQL ServerTM MVPs for year 2001/2002 are:
Andrew Kelly, BP Margolin, Brian Moran, Bryant Likes, Carlos Eduardo Rojas,
Dan Guzman, Daniel Raggi, Darren Green, Dejan Sarka, Erland Sommarskog,
Fernando Guerrero, George Spofford, Gianluca Hotz, Hilary Cotter, Itzik Ben-Gan,
Kalen Delaney, Keith Kratochvil, Linda Wierzbicki, Michael Hotek, Mike Harms,
Narayana Vyas Kondreddi, Neil Pike, Ron Talmage, Roy Harvey, Russell Fields,
Sharon Dooley, Tibor Karaszi, Tom Moreau, Tony Rogerson, Trevor Dwyer,
Umachandar Jayachandran, Wayne Snyder.
I don't believe a single word of what you are saying...
Then you may want to have a look at
Microsoft©'s official homepage
And by the way below there's a scan of the award.
