MS wants MVPs in Windows, cloud computing, virtualization

Want to become a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP), one of the company's elite volunteer army of tech experts?

Then now's the time to brush up on Windows Vista and Windows 7, the upcoming cloud-computing platform Windows Azure, and virtualization software such as Hyper-V, according to a Microsoft executive in charge of the MVP program. And plan on sharing that knowledge as widely as possible on developer and user forums run by Microsoft and others.

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Microsoft is heavily recruiting MVPs for these areas, Toby Richards, general manager for community and online support, said this week. It is also actively looking for MVP candidates in important overseas Microsoft markets such as China, Russia, India, and Brazil.

Microsoft, which holds its annual MVP Summit March 1-4 in Seattle, added several hundred MVPs this year and now has 4,200 worldwide. "We would like to keep expanding our pool of influencers," said Richards, adding that despite recent layoffs and belt-tightening at Microsoft, the MVP program has seen "no de-investment."

Microsoft started the MVP program in 1993 with 38 initial MVPs.

MVPs are chosen primarily for the amount and quality of free technical advice they dispense in Web forums and blogs. Contrary to some myths and jokes, there is no set formula that determines whether someone is MVP material, said Richards.

But a willingness to evangelize, and, if necessary, defend Microsoft products from haters helps. "I have not met one MVP who lacked the conviction and courage to challenge" attacks on Microsoft software, said Richards.

MVPs are unpaid, and the title does not connote any minimum level of technical knowledge, as a Microsoft certification does. However, the awards carry prestige in the large Microsoft technical community, and often open up job opportunities for awardees at Microsoft and its partner firms.

Another perk is the opportunity to attend the MVP Summit. Some 1,500 MVPs and/or their employers are expected, according to Richards.