MVP News and the Atlanta Community

Its October 1st, which is the annual date that the majority of MVPs are announced, so I'll take this opportunity to announce that I am officially no longer an MVP.  That's right, I was not renewed as an MVP -- and I think MS made the right decision.

I was first made an MVP in October 2002, which made me one of the first .NET MVPs.  At the time I was the top poster in the ASP.NET Forums, active in newsgroups, and I was also evangelizing various base page template methods to use with ASP.NET.  Why was I active in these venues?  Quite simply, I had the time, and I enjoyed it.  I was not seeking any recognition, but all the sudden I found that I was noticed -- I was even invited to the first private alpha of ASP.NET v2.0 with some big names.

My time got a little tighter over the following years, but I was still involved, so I was renewed in 2003 and 2004 since its a lot easier to get renewed than noticed.  Then I got even busier with both my job and my wife's health taking lots of time, and yet I was renewed again even in 2005 -- and I probably shouldn't have been.  But since then I've only gotten busier with my job, and I hardly ever post anymore, so it really came as no surprise when I was told that I was not to be renewed as an MVP.

And I think this is the correct decision by MS -- MVP renewal should not automatic.  Some people are still renewed based on their names mostly, but maybe that's ending.  Instead, its nice to see new people recognized for their community contributions.

Speaking of community, its also been very cool to see how Atlanta's has grown up.  I remember going to a few user groups back years ago and wondering why I bothered.  But now there is a very active group of people involved in the Atlanta community.  I remember being the very first developer-oriented MVP awarded in the Atlanta area -- and now look at the very impressive group of developer MVPs that Atlanta can boast.  So now when I do have the time, I choose to be more involved in our user groups.

So while I'm very proud of the fact that I have been an MVP, for four years even, I'm also very glad to be a part of the local Atlanta community, and to know so many.  Hopefully I'll have more time soon to be even more involved -- so watch for more news.  :)

4 Comments

  • Paul,

    I think your attitude is commendible :-)

    It's a shame you don't have the time to work in the community any more as you have in the past come up with some of the most impressive ASP.NET samples out there.

    Cheers,

    Phil.

  • Paul -

    MVP is certainly a nice title, and a great way for Microsoft to recognize community contributors. I've enjoyed watching you obtain MVP status, and I believe that it was an award that was earned.

    It's also nice to see a 'fresh' perspective rotate through the list of MVPs, so it isn't a bad thing when someone isn't renewed. In the Atlanta Community, we all know that Paul Wilson is a 'go-to' guy, and we look forward to hearing you more in our C# user group meetings.

  • Paul. Thanks for your years of commitment. I know you didn't do it for the recognition, which is one of the great things about the MVP program (when done right). MVPs are rewarded for the selfless work they do rather than as a means for career advancement. This was truly the case for you.

    As a newly awarded member, I hope to carry your legacy on to the future (Even if I didn't get it in LINQ... yet ;-)

  • Paul - you'll always be an MVP to us!

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