MVP Status

[BrianB]

I just wanted to say that for the most part MVP's are really trying to offer
good info and direction.

They are somewhat looked up to in these discussions because of the
"Microsoft MVP" status.

This is because everyone assumes that this MVP refers to something.

One of the MVP's a couple of weeks back posted that he did not take a
Competency Test to achieve this status. He was invited in by a group of
other MVP's who I guess also did not take a Competency Test.



This MVP flipped out on someone's post, all be it, the guy he was critizing
was wrong with his recommendation. He should have taken the high road and
countered with published facts and not with the defamation of this person.
It was really un-professional to say the least. When someone pointed this
out to this MVP, here comes other MVP's to his rescue. This thread went on
for a while.



So, it is a like a click that they are part of because I noticed that if
someone has a difference of opinion with one on a subject matter, then
multiple MVP's come to the rescue immediatley and then try to dissect every
line that the person wrote as if this is suppose to be the final disclaimer
without even referencing to where they obtained their opinion.



Just remember, they really want to be correct and helpful in fixing your
problem, but they are not certified as say a MCP, MCSE and so on. They are
however above the average user and can offer good advice, but it seems by
their own account that they are not Microsoft Certified.



BB

Certified Microsoft OEM Reseller

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I just wanted to say that for the most part MVP's are really trying
to offer good info and direction.

They are somewhat looked up to in these discussions because of the
"Microsoft MVP" status.

This is because everyone assumes that this MVP refers to something.

One of the MVP's a couple of weeks back posted that he did not take
a Competency Test to achieve this status. He was invited in by a
group of other MVP's who I guess also did not take a Competency
Test.
This MVP flipped out on someone's post, all be it, the guy he was
critizing was wrong with his recommendation. He should have taken
the high road and countered with published facts and not with the
defamation of this person. It was really un-professional to say the
least. When someone pointed this out to this MVP, here comes other
MVP's to his rescue. This thread went on for a while.

So, it is a like a click that they are part of because I noticed
that if someone has a difference of opinion with one on a subject
matter, then multiple MVP's come to the rescue immediatley and then
try to dissect every line that the person wrote as if this is
suppose to be the final disclaimer without even referencing to
where they obtained their opinion.
Just remember, they really want to be correct and helpful in fixing
your problem, but they are not certified as say a MCP, MCSE and so
on. They are however above the average user and can offer good
advice, but it seems by their own account that they are not
Microsoft Certified.

Many MVPs have various other titles behind their names - but none they may
(per their choice) advertise here - as volunteers helping others on a
newsgroup with their free time.

As far as what an MVP - this explains it best.. (IMO)
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpexecsum

 

[Wesley Vogel]

There are no formal tests of any kind.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional most certainly does "refer to
something."

Since you know very little about the Microsoft MVP program, here are some
links.

Letter from Lori, Sean and Anthony
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;mvpintro

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional


Overview
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpexecsum

Maybe you could provide a link that explains what a "Certified Microsoft OEM
Reseller" is.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Don't know much about the MVP program, do you? You can learn about what it
is - and isn't - here:
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpexecsum

Since the MVPs are human, and they have to put up with plenty of downright
idiotic questions, to say nothing of all the trolls, and they contribute
their vast accumulated knowledge for free and on their own time, and they do
all this without a penny of compensation, you may want to reconsider the
wisdom of your post.

 

[Cindy Winegarden]

Hi Brian,

I just wanted to say that for the most part MVP's are really trying to
offer good info and direction.

They are somewhat looked up to in these discussions because of the
"Microsoft MVP" status.

This is because everyone assumes that this MVP refers to something.

Well, yes, it refers to the "Most Valuable Professional" award. As you can
read on the website, it's not something that anyone can take an exam for but
rather Microsoft's recognization of contributions to the Community.

One of the MVP's a couple of weeks back posted that he did not take a
Competency Test to achieve this status. He was invited in by a group of
other MVP's who I guess also did not take a Competency Test.

This is correct. The MVP award is for peer-to-peer support. There is no
exam, only nominations which someone reviews against the guidelines and
goals of the MVP program.

This MVP flipped out on someone's post, all be it, the guy he was
critizing was wrong with his recommendation. He should have taken the high
road and countered with published facts and not with the defamation of
this person.

It sounds like the biggest problem in this situation was a human issue and
not a technical one. If this is the case, then perhaps certifications (or
not) are not that much of a factor. We all have a frustration level and
buttons that can be pushed. Some people's are more easily pushed than
others, and some have a lower frustration threshold than others. There are
always unseen factors such as what's going on at home or on the job. Even
so, some MVPs and also some Community members exhibit behavior that is "less
than the best."

It was really un-professional to say the least.

I don't recall the thread, but it sounds like professionalism may have been
an issue.

So, it is a like a click that they are part of because I noticed that if
someone has a difference of opinion with one on a subject matter, then
multiple MVP's come to the rescue immediatley and then try to dissect
every line that the person wrote as if this is suppose to be the final
disclaimer without even referencing to where they obtained their opinion.

I notice friction among Community members much more in the Windows groups
than in the Visual FoxPro (my area) groups, for example. Maybe it speaks of
the different personality types that "IT Pros" and developers seem to have.

Just remember, they really want to be correct and helpful in fixing your
problem, but they are not certified as say a MCP, MCSE and so on. They are
however above the average user and can offer good advice, but it seems by
their own account that they are not Microsoft Certified.

Again, you make it sound like the biggest problem was behavior ("defamation
of this person") and not knowledge.

By the way, many MVPs have nearly every certification on the planet. Often
these people are professional trainers where the (published) alphabet soup
after their names may influence their income.

Others may have steady jobs where certification is not particularly valued,
and paying several hundred dollars out-of-pocket for the exams doesn't make
economic sense. Ultimately, certification certifies that you have answered
exam questions correctly, and doesn't really measure the many other things
that make up job competency.