Thread: Microsoft MVPs
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Old October 20th 08, 07:48 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support
Leonard Grey[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,048
Default Microsoft MVPs

I'm thinking about a suitable designation for people like me: Certified
Shlemiel, or CS.

What's that you say? Oh...you already know I'm a shlemiel, even without
a designation.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

Bob Lucas wrote:
"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...

"Bob Lucas" wrote in message
...
"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"VanguardLH" wrote in message
...
Bob Lucas wrote:

Are there any special rules governing the use of the designation
MS-MVP?

I ask the question because, according to the page at
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx, the Microsoft
MVP Awardee directory contains a listing of all MVPs that want to
share
information publicly.

However, when I conducted advanced searches against the names of
contributors to several newsgroups (who claim to be MVPs), the search
engine produced the following response "No results were found for
your
search criteria".

Some MVPs claim they don't want their private information published
in a
public place. That doesn't preclude that they are *listed* as an MVP.
If an MVP doesn't have themself published in the MVP lists (and which
does NOT require any public disclosure of their personal info) then I
don't consider them an MVP. If you want to check on the
credentials of
a cert that an employee claims to have, you check with the issuer to
find out if that cert was actually ever awarded to that person. If
someone claims they are an expert in some profession, they must
provide
proof of such. Lack of proof means lack of expertise. I'm not
allowed
to claim that I'm a doctor, cop, or any other professional without
having traceable credentials. To me, if they can't prove that they
were
elected by other MVPs to become themself an MVP then I'm not going to
believe them just because they say so.

If an MVP wants to hide, consider why they want to hide. They don't
need to give out their street address, phone number, or any private
information. Obviously if they want to have an identity as an MVP
then
*something* of them must be made public. If an MVP wants to hide from
the public but only let other MVPs know about their MVP status then
let
them hide inside an MVP-only forum or MVP-only mailing list. If they
don't want to be public then don't claim to be an MVP in public.

If someone says they are an MVP but if the public can't verify that
status and if the one claiming to be an MVP can prove their status
then
they aren't an MVP. Anyone can claim anything they want in the Usenet
anarchy. Hiding MVPs dilute the status and potence of the MVP title.


You have it all worked out, eh.

Some may not be public because their employers might think that they
would possibly do free work in works time.

Some employers may consider the MVP award status to be in
competition with what the company does/supplies.

Some MVPs may not be in a position politically.

PCButts is a wannabe..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx






Those are valid reasons for claiming anonymity.

However, I still believe that if a contributor to a newsgroup claims
to be an MVP, other contributors should be able to verify that
appellation (in the same way that members of the public can check the
credentials of doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc.)

MVPs provide a valuable service - and I am not decrying their
expertise and willingness to help. However, many non-MVPs also offer
useful contributions.

If an MVP does not want his name to appear on a public register,
there is nothing to prevent him/her from posting to newsgroups
without claiming membership of the MVP community. Regular newsgroup
users will have little difficulty forming an opinion about those
contributors, who have provided reliable contributions over a period
of time.

The real danger comes from people who claim to be MVPs (which implies
special expertise and a willingness to help) - but are impostors.

Consequently, MVPs should be prepared to allow their names to appear
on a public register - OR refrain from using the MVP suffix when they
post to newsgroups.



I, for one, would have nothing against my name appearing in an
official list provided by MS. I just don't want my life history made
public. They *could* have two lists, but they don't. I have nothing I
need to hide in my profile, it's just a "nobody's business" thing.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA



That would be a very sensible compromise.

"Consumers" certainly don't need access to an individual MVP's life
history or similar details (although it might be useful to specify
particular areas of expertise or specialisation. For BH, such expertise
would include Outlook Express).

However, inclusion in an official list of MVPs (names only) might deter
unqualified passers-by from claiming fraudulently that they have been
awarded MVP status.

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