Microsoft calls time on Windows Insider MVP program
- Reference: 1698669069
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/10/30/windows_insider_mvp_ends/
- Source link:
A Microsoft spokesperson told The Register : "In an effort to consolidate MVP-style programs across Microsoft, we have decided to retire the Windows Insider MVP Program effective December 31, 2023.
"All our existing Windows Insider MVPs will be nominated to participate in the Microsoft MVP Program which has similar benefits and opportunities to continue networking with us and interacting with many other Microsoft MVPs globally."
[1]
The change comes on the heels of significant reorganization within Microsoft. Former Windows and Devices supremo [2]Panos Panay abruptly quit in September, and it is difficult to avoid suspicion that the termination of the Windows Insider MVP program is a related consequence.
[3]
[4]
Panay was understood to have become disillusioned amid cost cutting at the Windows + Devices division he has run at Microsoft since 2020, and is now [5]running the Devices and Services business at Amazon .
A Microsoft MVP, speaking to The Register on condition of anonymity, expressed regret that Microsoft was closing down what they described as "a valuable consumer resource."
[6]
They added: "It's sad that Microsoft's flagship product will no longer have an MVP community around it."
[7]Microsoft Cortana's farewell tour comes to the Windows Insider program
[8]Microsoft Edge still forcing itself on users in Europe
[9]After injecting pop-up ads for Bing into Windows, Microsoft now bends to Europe on links
[10]Microsoft yanks internal Windows 11 testing tool soon after release
The Windows Insider MVPs are usually enthusiasts of Microsoft's wares who are rewarded for their loyalty with access to the engineering teams, complimentary subscriptions to products such as Visual Studio Enterprise and Office 365, as well as the odd paperweight or two.
A nomination must come from another MVP or a Microsoft employee to achieve this coveted status. An application is then scrutinized, and if one has demonstrated sufficient passion for all things Microsoft, the nod is given.
Microsoft has plenty of Insider programs where users can play with pre-release versions of the company's software. Think of it as an army of unpaid testers. MVPs are similarly unpaid – other than the perks – and instead frequent the company's forums to dispense wisdom and advice, thus saving Microsoft from having to actually employ someone to do the same.
The Windows Insider program is one of the older projects of its type and recently celebrated its ninth anniversary. Headed first by Gabriel Aul then Dona Sarkar, the program is now led by Amanda Legowski. It has floundered in recent years, with members complaining about a distinct lack of exciting features to test during the Windows 11 era.
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Although the Windows Insider program shows no signs of going anywhere – and we're sure Microsoft wants retain its wider army of free testers – ditching the Windows Insider MVP status is a worrying sign. If rewards for loyalty can be revoked with little warning, the company might find itself having to deal with users directly. ®
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[2] https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/18/microsoft_surface_panos_panay/
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[7] https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/06/microsoft_cortana_leaves_insider_builds/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/12/microsoft_edge_hasnt_stopped_selfpreferencing/
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[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: a distinct lack of exciting features to test during the Windows 11 era
A lack of "Exciting features"?
No.
Wrong.
There a LOADS of them.
It's just that they precisely what no one asked for, or needed. Let's fuck around with context menus so that all the most common bits everyone needs/uses/has got used to over the last couple of decades are no longer where they've always been.
Let's make it so when you right-click the taskbar, the same is now true.
Let's make the default command-interpreter PowerShell so it loads slower. Even though most people want to run...commands, not PowerShell snippets.
And on and on.
All new. All exciting. All fresh!
/s
Does it really matter..
Reading the article, it seems to me to be interpreted as
'We are changing the name'
Where membership is concerned it seems to be
'we will let you in if we think you've drunk enough of our kool-aid'
Re: Does it really matter..
Former MVP, so can say with certainty it does matter.
MS is very reticent to give out MVP seats. Having a dedicated MVP program meant a dedicated budget, and thereby seats specifically for that area, and more of them. Now they'll be competing for MVP seats against other areas like Azure, development, and other sundry groups. As a result, if MS decides to do another Azure push, you won't see newly minted MVPs that aren't Azure focused, and may even see some existing MVPs shown the door to free up spots. This specifically happened to Windows Phone/Mobile MVPs, and was how many of us knew "for certain" the line was gonna die before it was official.
As for the kool-aid, that can help, sure. However, the people that get to be MVPs usually care about the product before hand. They genuinely like the stuff and use it themselves. You occasionally get someone that gunned for MVP, and focused on it to the point of driving their career and socializing to get in, but that's not particularly common. The majority are actually surprised to hear they got nominated. Also, as a group, they're pretty ready to call MS on their BS, though sometimes behind closed doors.
Re: Does it really matter..
But don't they also punish disloyalty?
The [1]guy that answered all the .Net questions on Stackoverflow had to hand in his badge when he got a job at Google.
[1] https://stackoverflow.blog/2018/01/15/thanks-million-jon-skeet/
Re: Does it really matter..
That was more about being able to sign an NDA with MS whil4e working at Google. Shortly later a away around that was found and the MVC award continued.
> guy that answered all the .Net questions
Not all, but a lot.
Maybe because it's not impossible to be a developer and drink only 100% pure Microsoft KoolAid. Even Microsoft can no longer drink only their own KoolAid and has Linux running inside of Windows on many of its expanding services. Being loyal to Microsoft as much as you had to be to become a MVP member means cutting off your businesses legs and arms so it's no wonder the MVPs are few and far between.
Their Marketing Programs are still going strong though so the promotion of Microsoft based anything can still become a revenue stream for many ISVs and corporate devs.
What's this I'm hearing about no more Windows in cider?
Presumably it'll just be Apple from now on.....
a distinct lack of exciting features to test during the Windows 11 era
So it's not so much just terminated as a side effect of a gradual slide into irrelevance?