M
Michael Yardley
Frequently Asked QuestionsQ1: What is the Microsoft MVP Award?
A1: The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award is an annual
award that is given to outstanding members of Microsoft's technical
communities, and that is based on contributions made during the
previous year to offline and online technical communities.
Q2: Why does the MVP Award exist?
A2: We believe that technical communities foster the free and
objective exchange of knowledge, thereby creating a reliable source of
independent, real world expertise that benefits everyone. The
Microsoft MVP Award recognizes exceptional technical community leaders
worldwide who actively share their expertise with technical
communities.
Q3: How does Microsoft select its MVPs?
A3: Over 100 million people participate in technical communities but
there are only about 3,500 MVPs worldwide. Outstanding technical
community members are nominated by their peers, Microsoft employees,
and MVPs. Each year a panel of Microsoft employees reviews the
contributions of each nominee for quality, quantity, and level of
impact on the technical community. Today's MVPs reflect Microsoft's
global customer base and the breadth of its technologies.
Q4: Are there Microsoft MVPs experts in all Microsoft technologies and
products?
A4: No. Although many MVPs have in-depth knowledge of more than one
product or technology, none of them are experts in all Microsoft
technologies or products.
Q5: Do MVPs represent Microsoft?
A5: No. MVPs are not Microsoft employees, nor do they speak on
Microsoft's behalf. MVPs are third-party individuals who have received
an award from Microsoft that recognizes their exceptional achievements
in technical communities.
Q6: Do Microsoft MVPs receive any payment from Microsoft?
A6: No. The MVP Award Program does provide a small award of software
and other benefits as part of its core program offering, but MVPs do
not receive any monetary payment from Microsoft.
Q7: How long does the Microsoft MVP Award last?
A7: The MVP Award lasts for the duration of one year. During this
time, MVP Award recipients are free to refer to themselves as
Microsoft MVPs and to enjoy all of the privileges that are included
with the award.
Q8: What does Microsoft expect of its MVPs?
A8: Because MVP status is awarded based on past contributions,
Microsoft has no expectations of MVPs beyond the expectations of
courtesy, professionalism, code of conduct, and adherence to the
community rules that we ask of all Microsoft community members. These
rules can be found on the Microsoft Communities Rules of Conduct page.
Q9: How can I become a Microsoft MVP?
A9: Individuals are nominated for the MVP Award by their peers or by
Microsoft, based on their contributions during the previous year to
offline or online technical communities. Each nominee's contributions
are then compared to the other candidates' contributions for the same
year to determine who will receive the award.
Nominees are chosen from traditional and emerging community venues,
including public news groups, forums, third-party Web sites, user
groups, book authors, event speakers, Web boards, blogs, and wikis.
Current MVPs reside in over 90 countries, write in 30 languages, and
share their expertise in over 90 Microsoft technologies.
Q10: Are there any requirements to be awarded as a Microsoft MVP?
A10: Yes, all Microsoft MVPs must be 18 years or older.
Q11: Why must Microsoft MVPs be 18 years or older?
A11: Microsoft is committed to the safety and privacy of minors.
Minors are defined as anyone who is not 18 years or older. To help
ensure their safety, the MVP program has implemented a policy that all
Microsoft MVPs awardees awarded as of April 2006 must affirm that they
are 18 years or older.
Q12: How do I get the contact information for Microsoft MVPs?
A12: While you can find a list of all current MVPs on our awardees
page, we do not list MVP contact information for privacy and security
reasons.
Q13: How do I contact the MVP program team?
A13: MVPGA@microsoft.com is the universal contact for the MVP Award
Program team.
For more information
MVP Award Program Overview
Letter from MVP Award Program
MVP Award Program Leadership
A1: The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award is an annual
award that is given to outstanding members of Microsoft's technical
communities, and that is based on contributions made during the
previous year to offline and online technical communities.
Q2: Why does the MVP Award exist?
A2: We believe that technical communities foster the free and
objective exchange of knowledge, thereby creating a reliable source of
independent, real world expertise that benefits everyone. The
Microsoft MVP Award recognizes exceptional technical community leaders
worldwide who actively share their expertise with technical
communities.
Q3: How does Microsoft select its MVPs?
A3: Over 100 million people participate in technical communities but
there are only about 3,500 MVPs worldwide. Outstanding technical
community members are nominated by their peers, Microsoft employees,
and MVPs. Each year a panel of Microsoft employees reviews the
contributions of each nominee for quality, quantity, and level of
impact on the technical community. Today's MVPs reflect Microsoft's
global customer base and the breadth of its technologies.
Q4: Are there Microsoft MVPs experts in all Microsoft technologies and
products?
A4: No. Although many MVPs have in-depth knowledge of more than one
product or technology, none of them are experts in all Microsoft
technologies or products.
Q5: Do MVPs represent Microsoft?
A5: No. MVPs are not Microsoft employees, nor do they speak on
Microsoft's behalf. MVPs are third-party individuals who have received
an award from Microsoft that recognizes their exceptional achievements
in technical communities.
Q6: Do Microsoft MVPs receive any payment from Microsoft?
A6: No. The MVP Award Program does provide a small award of software
and other benefits as part of its core program offering, but MVPs do
not receive any monetary payment from Microsoft.
Q7: How long does the Microsoft MVP Award last?
A7: The MVP Award lasts for the duration of one year. During this
time, MVP Award recipients are free to refer to themselves as
Microsoft MVPs and to enjoy all of the privileges that are included
with the award.
Q8: What does Microsoft expect of its MVPs?
A8: Because MVP status is awarded based on past contributions,
Microsoft has no expectations of MVPs beyond the expectations of
courtesy, professionalism, code of conduct, and adherence to the
community rules that we ask of all Microsoft community members. These
rules can be found on the Microsoft Communities Rules of Conduct page.
Q9: How can I become a Microsoft MVP?
A9: Individuals are nominated for the MVP Award by their peers or by
Microsoft, based on their contributions during the previous year to
offline or online technical communities. Each nominee's contributions
are then compared to the other candidates' contributions for the same
year to determine who will receive the award.
Nominees are chosen from traditional and emerging community venues,
including public news groups, forums, third-party Web sites, user
groups, book authors, event speakers, Web boards, blogs, and wikis.
Current MVPs reside in over 90 countries, write in 30 languages, and
share their expertise in over 90 Microsoft technologies.
Q10: Are there any requirements to be awarded as a Microsoft MVP?
A10: Yes, all Microsoft MVPs must be 18 years or older.
Q11: Why must Microsoft MVPs be 18 years or older?
A11: Microsoft is committed to the safety and privacy of minors.
Minors are defined as anyone who is not 18 years or older. To help
ensure their safety, the MVP program has implemented a policy that all
Microsoft MVPs awardees awarded as of April 2006 must affirm that they
are 18 years or older.
Q12: How do I get the contact information for Microsoft MVPs?
A12: While you can find a list of all current MVPs on our awardees
page, we do not list MVP contact information for privacy and security
reasons.
Q13: How do I contact the MVP program team?
A13: MVPGA@microsoft.com is the universal contact for the MVP Award
Program team.
For more information
MVP Award Program Overview
Letter from MVP Award Program
MVP Award Program Leadership