>>There may be those that provide the on-line support in order to achieve "MVP Status" but I would guess the a significant number would continue to do so even if there were no MVP program.

I am sure you are right and that few would begrudge people like you receiving a reward.

However, every so often I see a MVP who seems to provide little if any assistance over and above that which is to their own commercial advantage, and who always tows the party line because that is presumably the source of their reward.

For a while there was also a panel of MVP "life members" who never contributed but retained a seat because of past services. I think that is gone, which is to the benefit of the other MVPs and of the community.

Overall I think the program is good. We can all see who is a MVP because of technical contribution so the award still carries kudos apart from the wristwatch and free software.