>When M$ e-mailed Michel and received our survey responses regarding DevStudio, that was the first evidence I've seen that they know we exist. Has a M$ employee ever signed onto the UT, posted a message, or reacted to us in any way?

Yes, Microsoft employees knows about the Universal Thread and they visit it on a regular base.

The person in charge of monitoring the MVP program on the Universal Thread is usually spending about one hour per day.

Other people in charge of the product are also paying a regular visit.

If you go to Microsoft site, you'll also see that the Universal Thread is the only technical support engine other than Microsoft to be listed in their support areas. Microsoft also has some other links from different places to the Universal Thread from their site.

They also accept our monthly wish list and read it carefully.