>>Tracy;
>>
>>Somehow I feel if Microsoft discontinued the MVP designation the present MVP members would still contribute as they do now. Even before the MVP was created the FoxPro community was a very tight group. We have always been a bit different than other software development communities. Helping others seems to be a given with this product.
>>
>Tom,
>
>In believe that I was Calvin who started this

More or less correct. Time for a history lesson.

Way back in the dark ages, Microsoft provided a great deal of technical support on CompuServe. The CompuServe FoxPro forum was extremely busy and Calvin Hsia, then an independent developer, now Developer Lead on the Fox team, created what we called "Calvin's List." It was a listing of the number of postings by person, including info on both messages sent and received. Being in the top 10 on Calvin's List any month was an accomplishment, though we discussed whether it was a good thing or a bad thing. <g>

As the story goes, some of the Microsoft people jumped on Calvin's List as a way to identify high contributors, and thus was born the MVP program. I've never really known whether this story is true.

Regardless, the program did start with developer products as a way to honor and reward those people who were providing high quality technical support as volunteers. (In those days, there were also Microsoft employees doing forum support.)

I recently turned up the original letter (dated 29-Feb-93) I received when the program started. I won't reproduce the whole thing here, but here's an excerpt:

---begin excerot from letter
Congratulations!

Microsoft is pleased to announce that you have been selected to receive the "Microsoft Support Most Valuable Professional (MVP)" award. This award is for your outstanding contributions of technical expertise to the Microsoft Developer CompuServe Forums. Starting in 1993, and continuing annually, Microsoft plans to acknowledge people such as yourself who demonstrate a commitment to helping others in the software development community. We value your interest in sharing technical information related to Microsoft products and acknowledge your contributions through this award.

You have been selected for this award based on recommendations by Microsoft's CompuServe Section Leaders because of your accurate responses to technical questions posted on CompuServe, and an above-average contribution of technical support to the the Microsoft Developer forums.
---end excerpt from letter

It then goes on to talk about the benefits of the award and request a one-page personal profile. The letter was signed by Patty Stonesifer, Vice President Support.

Tamar