Since the great recession hit the market few years ago, most of the US companies are cutting costs and that including Microsoft.

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Yesterday, I got a MVP package from Microsoft and there was a box for being 5 years MVP. I have been a Microsoft MVP for 6 years in a row. I guess that was a 5 years RING.

Guess what it was? A glass ring.

MVP1.jpg

Looks like this:

MVP2.jpg

After putting on my Award, looks like this:

MVP3.jpg

I was amused (not amazed) when Microsoft start shipping rings, instead of the Award itself. Being an MVP, you would think, we deserve at least one award each year. So whoever is coming up with these ideas (rings for example) must be a cheepo. I mean there is nothing wrong in being a cheeepo, but you still skip some people from that category.

LOL!

Personally, I do not care if I get a prize or award or praise. But when it comes to pride, I do have that.

Here is another interesting story.

Being a Windows Phone and Silverlight developer (forget the community leader, author bla bla), I asked Dani Diaz, Microsoft Developer Evangelist, who represents MVPs and communities in our region (Philly area) to see if I can get a Windows Phone from Microsoft for development. After a few emails back and forth, I got a phone. It was an old, used phone and Dani also asked me to return if after a month or so.

Are you serious? This is what I deserve? I am not blaming Dani at all. He said, this is a Microsoft policy. LOL! Do you really think I want your phone? I can freaking go buy 100s of them. They are so cheap and so junky. No body is buying them. In fact, AT&T was giving buy-one-get-one deal for $199. I just thought it would be cool to tell people that hey, I got this from Microsoft for being an MVP and community leader.

Interested in one more story?

So I got an invitation to attend the Microsoft MVP Summit 2011. Of course, I have to take a week off from my work, leave my family and kids to attend the Summit. That is fine. But guess what? I have to pay for my own tickets and travel. Also for the Dinner. Which is also fine! At least I have breakfast and lunch at Microsoft. But guess what? I have to share a room with somebody.

Are you kidding me? I would rather pay but it is more like an insult to me. I refuse to attend this kind of meetings.


So how low can Microsoft really go?

Feedback??