Mark,

>The SysOps have been privately discussing the current state of affairs regarding MVPs, PUTM, Blue Envelopes, etc., that have been overly [IMHO] consuming bandwidth here lately. Some things are confidential, but other points can be summarized, and hopefully, put this to rest.
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>First, I am going to quote and paraphrase 2 pertinent posts from Ed Rauh and George Tasker taken from some of the other threads:
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>The question here is, "Do you feel that you get sufficient value for your money to justify the expense of a PUTM membership?" If you do, then I'd urge you to renew. If you don't, then don't renew. Whether or not we, as MVPs, get a free PUTM shouldn't enter into the equation at all. The only thing that should is whether or not it is in your best interest.
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>MVP status doesn't change the value of the answers provided by the people who got the award. [D]id the value of [an MVPs] messages [posted before they became an MVP] change [once they became an MVP]?
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>The course that I would suggest here is if you feel that MVPs should get free PUTMs, then let Michel know privately (I'm sure he'll hate me for this one < g >). However, if anyone feels that we shouldn't, then they should also express this feeling to him privately.
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>END QUOTE/PARAPHRASE
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>The point here is that two decisions were made based on member input, and several threads. One of the threads was the war over basic and premier membership about 2 months ago. The other threads were from the last 2 to 3 weeks.
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>Many MVPs did not want to be distinguished by a blue envelope. I thought it was nice recognition for them, but I respect their wishes as should everyone else.

I don't care if I have a blue envelope or not. However, the blue envelope decision was one that was forced on all MVPs. I did not get to say yes or no to getting/not getting it. I will say that there has been a discussion on MVP forums about how to recognize an MVP. Some don't want the public notice (say a blue envelope) while others said that is is important to know who they are. This came out mostly as a result of the MVP program being killed and then reinstated. I'm one that thinks we should know who the MVPs are...if the MVP wants that to be known. Even if I don't have the blue envelope I will continue to use MVP in my signiture.

We also have to remember that MVP is awarded for past contributions to the Fox community. It has no bearing on how questions are currently answered or will be in the future, except maybe for the fact MVPs have a more direct line to Microsoft to get help with things that are very difficult. However, it should be noted that non-MVPs can and do give as good and sometimes a better and more complete answer than and MVP. Being an MVP does not magically make someone have all the answers.

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>The decision for not renewing the policy of providing free PUTM to MVPs was primarily based on feedback [public and private]. There were those MVPs who still payed for PUTM before this change because the value they realized from their membership. There were complaints on both sides about who should and should not pay, envelope colors, special treatment, nannie, nannie, boo, boo, Johnny has more candy than I do. :^)

Now, I treated the free PUTM as Michel's way of saying "Thanks for helping the community". Truthfully, I was ready to pay when the free PUTM policy was announced and now that it is gone, I have ponied up and made the payment.