George,

I think - and postings here indicate others wonder about the same thing - that MVPs can be subject to conflicts of interest. MS determines who is an MVP, so criticizing them could put an MVP in jeapordy of losing the award. Therefore, it's reasonable to assume that when an MVP makes a comment he/she tempers it in order to protect his/her status. I don't believe that applies to every MVP, but I would bet dollars to dimes that it does for some. After all, the MVP program allows a competitive advantage to the MVPs since they can put that on their resume and probably command a higher rate due partly to the award. Look what happened when MS tried to kill the MVP program. The MVPs rose up real quick against it because they realized that the competitive advantage would be taken away. Not to say that others didn't lobby for it to be continued also, but the MVPs didn't like Microsoft's idea at all. Tamor Granor said that often the criticism is directly privately to MS since the MVPs have better access. Well, ok, but doesn't that say that the MVPs (at least some) don't want to criticize in public? And doesn't that suggest self-protection? I've been given some general (though no specific) references to MVPs who criticize MS. Good. I hope these are correct. I want MVPs that will say what they think and not be afraid to say it in public, but the program, as is, seems to make MVPs susceptible to pressure from MS and that's the part I don't like.

Lastly, I didn't mean to criticize every last MVP and I certainly didn't criticize anyone in particular, so don't get all riled up there, "Leroy Brown". <g>


>>Well, you added a lot to your comments on the program after these, but I'll just jump in here. I too sometimes wonder about the MVP program. It seems that the community has a love-hate relationship with MS. And it also seems that you're not going to be an MVP if you show the hate side. Of course, the MVPs could love MS totally and have no bad feelings towards them (then they'd be honest, at least, but not objective, IMHO). I love VFP, but I'm not in love with everything MS does, even with Ken Levy at the VFP helm (some things he can't control, I realize). But I'd like to know of examples of MVPs who criticize MS. I realize that MS is not going to pick anyone that only criticizes them, but I also feel that part of the deal is that you can't be critical (even when it is deserved). As much as I value the contribution of some of these MVPs, that's one aspect of the program that I don't like.
>>
>Russell,
>
>I've been an MVP since 1999. In that period I've never once been told by Microsoft that I shouldn't be critical of them. I've also, more than once, offered up, what I considered the shortcomings of VFP and MS in general. I've also seen other MVPs accused of being "in Microsoft's pocket", when all they have done is expressed an opinion favoring MS.
>
>What this post does, however, is question the integrity of the individuals who are MVPs. Where I come from (the Southside of Chicago) questioning somebody's integrity is a place you don't go.