Roy, Newsgroups metrics is old news for MVP now. There
are a lot of other things that are taken into account. I
have hardly been active in newsgroups, yet I was
nominated to be an MVP. Don't do something just to
become an MVP. That's backwards. Do it because you just
can't help yourself.
Julie. I was (unsuccefully) trying to be sarcastic. No,
I wouldn't do it just because it holds MVP status, but ,
I do not agree with how MVPs are chosen. You should
really know by now that if I do anything in the public
.Net area, it's because I "couldn't help
it" first.
But, I won't hide the fact that yes, I do have an agenda
here. Is it something to be ashamed of? I'm sure most of
the current MVPs at least *considered* being an MVP on
purpose. And I don't see it as a bad thing. What, is the
only way you're allowed to help people is if you are a
"true at heart give it all away and ask for
nothing jsut because you get to type on the
keyboard" kind of person? you're not allowed to
have an agenda when doing it? C'mon.
Microsoft wouldn't have made such a thing as an MVP
award if it didn't make people want to chime in on the
NGs. And it works. Now it's a catch-22 all of a sudden?
"You can help in the newsgroups, but the only
way you deserve an MVP is if you don't think about it/do
something to actively get it"?
what's wrong with a win/win for all? the NGs get good
answers from dedicated people that, sure, have an
agenda, but wouldn't be doing all this if it weren't for
the love they have for what they do, and the MVPs get
recogntion for the help they provide other people.
what's wrong with that?
THe only thing wrong is that I don't see any other way
to get that recognition. a blogging MVP , when I raised
this issue a while ago, is almost a 0% chance of
happening. Why? all the people who answered me said that
the *only* way is through the NGs. That sucks and it
should change. Perhaps, Julie, it's easier for past MVPs
to get re-elected, otherwise, I bet you that even if I
did double the amazing work you are doing in the
comunnity, if I didn't have the right connections and I
wouldn't post on the NGs, I would *never* get an MVP.
perhaps.. a MVP is one who came to the newsgroup for
help, got help & is giving back more than he/she
received.. :-)
The newsgroups are an interesting place. There is alot
of noise(and repeated questions), and you will have to
deal with alot more OSS flaming and the like, but the
rare good discussion tends to last longer and provide
more information that those in the blogsphere.
Also, reading about what people are having problems with
helps generate more information that other methods. Alot
of the interesting little factoids you'll find are
because it was the solution to someone's problem, its
simply not possible to find everything on your own.
I personally am active in several different community
areas, newsgroups(don't forget the new winfx ones if
your interested in longhorn\winfx), developmentor
mailing lists, etc. I find most of them to be more
useful, on a daily basis, than the blogsphere. It is
just too limited a medium for full two way exchange.
Thanks for the comments guys. I can definitely see that
I've been missing on something. Guess I have more
learning to do :)