Brendan Tompkins [MVP]

Blog First. Ask Questions Later.

Do We Need a New MVP Program?

It seems there are some strange happenings going on in MVP Land. I found out about this through a post on Roy Osherove's blog. Seems that Jamie Cansdale is not an MVP anymore and as I dug deeper, I found that Paul Wilson is not an MVP anymore either.

So, what is happening here? I'll have to admit, I really don't know a whole lot about the program. Possibly its mission is different than I've understood it to be. But if these two gentlemen don't deserve the title, I'm not sure who does.

Perhaps we need a new program. Telligent has their Community Server MVP program, and there are others, but perhaps we need an independent, community-owned program for recognition?

Note: I'm not an MVP, so perhaps I'm just bitter? :)

Published Oct 12 2006, 08:46 AM by Brendan Tompkins

Filed under: MVP

Comments

karl said:

Personally, I'd like to see some drastic changes to the MVP program - even though I probably wouldn't be one under the new system.

First of all, there are too many MVPs - especially in some fields, like ASP.NET.

Secondly, the MVP process isn't transparent at all. I believe RD's have a point system, which seems like a good idea to me. Come january, will my MVP lead know that I answer 1-2 emails a day about the articles I've written in the past or will he only see that I write less?

Thirdly, it needs to be much more restrictive. I've seen some MVPs put out some pretty shitty advice - although for the most part, the majority of MVPs are top quality gurus.

Microsoft has to give more value to the MVP program. Specifically, an MVP should be worth about 100 MCPs when it comes to partner points. Similarly, MVPs should be given more direct hooks into Microsoft.

I also think "MVPs" is too global. It's used for IT professionals, application experts, gaming people and developers. How well respected can a C# MVP be when there are XBox MVPs and Frontpage MVPs out there?

# October 12, 2006 11:14 AM

Jason Haley said:

# October 12, 2006 9:41 PM

Kevin Jensen said:

Paul Wilson had his MVP revoked? WOW now that is ridiculous.

# October 16, 2006 1:57 PM

Brendan Tompkins said:

Kevin,

I think that "wasn't renewed" is more apt than "revoked" he talks about it more here:

http://weblogs.asp.net/pwilson/archive/2006/10/01/MVP-News-and-the-Atlanta-Community.aspx I

# October 16, 2006 2:25 PM

Dennis Bottjer said:

http://www.community-credit.com give a good pulse of what is going on in the community

# October 29, 2006 9:35 PM

Keith Rull said:

We should nominate you then :P

# November 8, 2006 12:45 PM

Brendan Tompkins said:

Keith, I'm not sure I'd go THAT far... I'm remembering an old Groucho Marx saying right about now :)

# November 8, 2006 12:50 PM

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About Brendan Tompkins

Brendan has been programming with .NET since the first public beta and is owner and operator of Port Technology Services, a consultancy company providing .NET application development services to the Maritime industry. In July, 2007, he was awarded the Microsoft MVP award for ASP.NET. He's also a proud co-founder of failed .COM startup Intrinsigo, and has had a hand in the failure of numerous other businesses. He currently runs CodeBetter.Com and Devlicio.us, and lives in Norfolk, Virgina with his wife Tiara and son Ian.