>>As one who has been helping people online and in person since grade school, I can tell you that my primary reasons for doing it have always been a) it's the right thing to do; and b) I learn by helping others.
>>
>>When I answer any but the simplest question, I have to organize my thoughts, and usually end up understanding whatever it is better than I did beforehand.
>
>And what are your secondary reasons? None?

Martin expressed it well:

"Yes, there must be an ego component about that, also. It´s good to present a session and have the people coming to it because they know you and trust you, and it is good to feel others recognize you."

I do get a kick out of being known as an expert. As for the goodies Microsoft gives me, sure, I enjoy and appreciate them, but I was helping Fox programmers online long before there was an MVP program. In graduate school, I used to hang out in the computer lab and help people for fun. In college, I tutored elementary school students as a volunteer.

Bottom line-the stuff is nice to have, but that's not why I do this.

Tamar