What does MVP mean to you?It means that Microsoft recognizes my willingness to help people adopt Microsoft’s .NET Compact Framework. There is a lack of documentation provided by Microsoft on this technology and I am simply providing to others what I wish I had when I was first learning.If you could ask Steve Ballmer one question about Microsoft, what would it be?That’s an easy one. I would ask him why the mobile space isn’t more prevalent in Microsoft future product revisions. For example, on the March 2004 Directions on Microsoft magazine’s Enterprise Software Calendar, neither Windows CE nor the Compact Framework are even in the roadmap. What are Microsoft’s plans and roadmap for mobile devices?What do you think the best software ever written was?My own, of course! (laughing) I know I shouldn’t say that, but I really do feel that the Smart Device Framework is the most useful software for adopting the .NET framework. In fact, it would be pretty difficult and in some cases impossible to adopt the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework without it.If you were the manager of .NET Compact Framework, what would you change?That is a difficult question, because most of the things that I would change we are in the process of changing with OpenNETCF. There are many things in the .NET Compact Framework that have been stripped down beyond usable or are completely absent. Some examples would be threading support, messaging support, phone support, MAPI, and marshaling. Even the serial library is missing, which is surprising since it is the de-facto communication protocol for many embedded systems. With OpenNETCF we hope to change this. One other thing I would change would be to work toward an Indigo Framework which would provide remote messaging and interop. | If you were given unlimited data bandwidth, what would you do with it?That is hard to say. I would think you would want to come up with some really cool Web service. Personally, I would like to provide all OpenNETCF code through the Web as a service to developers. I would like people to be able to request code or call code directly without having to download it. That would make it easy for developers and they would like that. In reality, I don’t need more bandwidth to do what I want to do, I need more time!What was the last book you read?The most recent book I read was John Adams. I am not much of a history buff, but I think biographies are fascinating. It is interesting to see what people did one hundred years ago and how it parallels what is going on today.I am also in the process of reading Designing Microsoft ASP Applications. I don’t do too much Web design but it is interesting to see the differences between it and what I do.What music CD do you recommend?Now that is really a tough question! There are too many possibilities; I will give you my top five. Right now I am listening to Cake’s self-titled album and am really into that. I would also recommend Temple of the Dog, Mad Season, and Pearl Jam’s first album, “Ten.” Finally I would have to say that any ’80s compilation is fantastic in my book.What makes you a great MVP?I would say it’s my willingness to spend my own time posting answers to questions in newsgroups even when the same questions are asked over and over again. I do it willingly because I remember what it was like when I was first learning the .NET Compact Framework. I would have really appreciated having someone to help me out at that time.What’s in your computer bag?Not much; just my computer and a USB media player with music on it. I prefer to travel light. In fact, I try to avoid taking my computer outside the office. I don’t even take my cell phone on vacations. I believe in living a balanced life. I have a 15-month-old daughter and a 6-week-old son and I want to spend my time outside the office with them. | What’s the best thing that has happened since you’ve become an MVP?I have met great people. The Compact Framework MVPs are all really intelligent and inspiring. I met many of them in person at the MVP Summit this year and we had a really great time sharing ideas. Also, my wife and I have had a couple of children since I first became an MVP. I know that is not related to the program, but my new family is a huge part of my life and one of the best things that has ever happened to me.What is your motto?I have three that I try to live by:1. If given enough time and money I can do anything.2. It is always better to have and not need than to need and not have.3. You can never make anything idiot-proof because they can always make a better idiot.Who is your hero?In general, I feel that all the guys that served in World War II are my heroes. My grandfather was a fighter pilot and a pilot trainer at that time and I have a lot of respect for the sacrifices that those men made. They exhibited extreme bravery for something that they knew very little about and ended up making a difference in the way the world is today.What does success mean to you?To me success it doing something that you love doing and being able to make a comfortable living at it. If you enjoy getting up every morning and going to work, you are doing something right. |
