January 04, 2006

Hold on to your hats. The sky is falling. Guess who is a Microsoft Windows Security MVP?

With the bad weather outside already thundering and lightening, I must admit that the freakish storm outside was a precursor to what just hit my email.

Guess who just became a Microsoft Windows Security MVP? Thats right. (*Lightening flash with loud thunder abound*) Apparently I am a Security MVP.

RUN. RUN NOW. NO ONE IS SAFE.

OK, ok. Fun is over. So I heard something about this last year, but I didn't believe it. Who would have thought that Microsoft would award me with an MVP. I need to thank people like Robert and Susan, who I am sure had something to do with this. I think this is Robert and Susan's secret way to take over the world, but I am not quite sure yet. I am too scared to pop my head outside to see if the storm has stopped, so I can get off this ride.

So what does this mean for me and this blog? Absolutely nothing. Nothing is going to change. I made it clear that my opinions won't be swayed because of this. And the response I got from Microsoft and other MVPs was awesome. They agreed. And said its outside parties like me that keeps them honest. And keeps them working. Now the only difference is... I can email them privately and chase them down at the MVP Summit.

God help us all.

Posted by SilverStr at January 4, 2006 04:09 PM | TrackBack
Comments

As an extremely vocal MVP both for and against MS products and policies I have to say that they are true to their word about not having to change what you say. When I was first awarded the MVP designation way back in like 2001. I was in the newsgroups b****ing up a storm about Code Red or Nimda or whatever it was at the time and dunning MS for having all these stupid services (like WWW) starting by default let alone being loaded by default.

The first thing that went through my mind was, oh they are trying to shut me up (what me paranoid???)! But when I talked to the MVP folks they assured me that I could continue saying whatever I was saying.

For the most part that has held true, there was a very short period where someone in the program got a little confused and there was a some thought that we were going to have to rein in and that produced a huge outcry and large number of MVPs indicating they would drop out of the program immediately. That topic was dropped and I haven't seen it again. There are some serious MS cheerleaders (aka drooling fans) in the group but for the most part, it is a very diverse and opinionated group that won't let MS slide on things MS is screwing up.

Note that you will have to do some measure of self censoring though because you will start getting information from MS that is covered by an NDA that you will sign if you want "full" benefits. You don't have to sign that NDA but doing so means you don't get to see privileged info or be part of special programs. This is the same as any Beta or Alliance Support agreement NDAs. I highly recommend signing the NDA as you get plugged into pretty cool info that you wouldn't otherwise get to hear about or access, for instance I have Windows OS Source Access as a Windows Server MVP (I have a minor MVP designation in Security and in AD Programming).

One of the best aspects of being an MVP is the summit and getting to sit down with the Developers and talk with them directly face to face. They are some truly cool people and you quickly learn they are real people trying to do a good job as best they can. They may even go out to Jillian's or Bell Towne Billards and shoot pool with you.

In the end, the MVP designation is an award. You get it for past achievements/contributions. Getting it doesn't mean you will get it again nor that you have to accept the NDA and its restrictions.

Anyway, congrats. Had anyone asked me if you deserved it, I would have given you a recommendation myself. I fully expect Susan (Mom) was behind it as you figure. She is one of our more vocal (but nice) representatives.

joe

Posted by: joe at January 4, 2006 05:12 PM

Thanks for the comment Joe. And thanks for even thinking of recommending me.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Knowing Susan there is a bigger plan ;-)

Posted by: Dana Epp at January 4, 2006 06:25 PM

Hey,
it seems we had same destiny since I received my MVP Security award this night too!

Hope to see you at MVP Summit.


Alessandro Perilli
http://www.securityzero.com

Posted by: Alessandro Perilli at January 4, 2006 06:27 PM

Congrats!

Posted by: pb at January 4, 2006 11:08 PM

Congratulations! Well deserved! It is great to have a voice like yours in the security community who "tells it like it is".

Posted by: Robert Hurlbut at January 5, 2006 01:46 AM

Congrats Dana - well deserved. I was made a Tablet PC MVP yesterday and I'm just as excited as you about the recognition. Keep on telling it like it is!

Posted by: Marc Orchant at January 5, 2006 05:14 AM

Congratulations Dana!
Now I'll finally get to meet you at the next MVP Summit!

Alex Feldstein [VFP MVP]

Posted by: Alex Feldstein at January 5, 2006 09:19 AM

Hey Dana, Congrats! You well deserve it.

Posted by: Larry Osterman at January 6, 2006 06:16 PM

Congrats.

Posted by: Matheus at January 8, 2006 05:35 AM