Folk Masters and the Imperial Guard - Written When MVP Arrives

On the first day of the new year, I opened my email and found a congratulatory message. No surprise — my MVP application was finally approved. Thanks to Samuel Phung from ICOP for his recommendation. Thanks to the MVP Lead for their help. Thanks to CCTV, thanks to whatever V…

The email read:

Quote:</p> Dear Zongjian He: Congratulations! We are very pleased to award you the 2007 Microsoft® MVP Award! You have made great contributions to communities around the world, and we express our thanks, respect, and encouragement through the Microsoft MVP Award. As a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award recipient, you join an elite group of technology community leaders who actively share real-world professional expertise with users and Microsoft, promoting free and objective exchange of knowledge. Microsoft pays high tribute to all MVPs who continuously work to develop communities, enhance people's quality of life, and promote industry success. For more information about the MVP Program, visit: www.microsoft.com/mvp. Thank you very much for your outstanding contributions to the Windows – Windows Embedded technology community over the past year. Below is a summary of the benefits you will receive as an MVP Award recipient. MVP Benefits The MVP Award provides a range of benefits to help you connect with other MVPs and Microsoft, enhance your technical capabilities, and stay current with the latest product developments. Special Resources • Through your MVP Lead, you can contact Microsoft directly. As your primary contact, your MVP Lead will keep you informed about product information and MVP activities. Your MVP Lead is Sisley Lin ([email protected]). • On the MVP member website, you can easily access MVP program updates, meet and collaborate with other MVPs. Enhance Your Technical Expertise • Each MVP can choose to subscribe to one year of Microsoft online services – MSDN or TechNet! Expand Your Network • Through various MVP special events (including the MVP Global Summit and local events), you'll have opportunities to connect with other MVPs and Microsoft product teams. Celebrate Your Achievement • Your MVP certificate is Microsoft's personal recognition of you. This certificate affirms your outstanding expertise and voluntary contributions to the technology community, and expresses Microsoft's gratitude for the time and energy you have devoted to the technology community. • Enjoy your MVP annual gift and $150 Microsoft Company Store shopping voucher

Of course, this post isn’t meant to show off. I feel I’ve become somewhat indifferent to fame and fortune. This reminded me of my days interning at Microsoft.

Back then I was doing support and often dealt with MVPs. MVPs had access to Microsoft’s private newsgroups and could answer customer questions, creating a three-way collaboration between Microsoft employees, MVPs, and third-party customers. It was more like a three-way battle sometimes. When we tried to “sell” customers, MVPs would often mess things up, and we’d end up hating them.

Back then we privately nicknamed MVPs “folk masters.” In contrast, Microsoft’s technical support staff were called the “imperial guard.” When facing customer challenges, the imperial guard took charge, but sometimes the folk masters would step up when needed, and they were fierce.

Who would’ve thought that a few years ago I was a reserve imperial guard, and a few years later I became the very “folk master” we used to mock.

The funniest thing is the MVP-only website. I was on a team testing it — we developed the MVP website at http://mvp.support.microsoft.com. I tested it to the point of wanting to throw up, clicking links and entering info like crazy every day. And now that email gave me a username and password to log into that very website. I couldn’t help but laugh — the “pain” is about to begin again.

Anyway, an MVP should act like an MVP. I’ll spend more time on technology from now on, and hope to share my experience with more people.