MVP Insider Archive: December 2004Sergio Fonseca - Lisbon, Portugal
Most Valuable Professional, Windows Server - Directory Services |  | Sergio Fonseca is a system architect at Vodafone for Microsoft® products such as Active Directory®, Exchange, LCS, DNS, and ISA. He also works on a team that implemented and administers the Root Domain and Exchange of Vodafone worldwide. Sergio is a founder of GUPADE, a Portuguese Active Directory and Exchange users group (www.gupade.org), which aspires to share experiences, organize technological events, and bring knowledge to people by "democratizing" access to information. Sergio has presented technical sessions for the GUPADE membership; his most recent presentation was regarding DNS improvements in Windows® 2003. |
What does MVP mean to you?I am a relatively new MVP, having been nominated in June 2004, and each day I discover new reasons to appreciate the position. On a practical level, being an MVP provides an opportunity to become familiar with Microsoft beta programs and pre-releases. Furthermore, MVP status is meaningful because the scope of my work has included Microsoft products for many years, so it serves as a notable work reference. It is an important honor to be identified by Microsoft as someone who has some influence in the community—as a result, I have more opportunity to share information and learn from the communities that I serve.If you could ask Steve Ballmer one question about Microsoft, what would it be?This is a tough question, though I guess I am most curious about the decision-making process regarding design for some global products. For example, Microsoft designs SQL as a database engine; however, why not also use it as a storage system for Exchange, SPS, and as many Microsoft products as possible? I imagine that the considerations in making these decisions are numerous, but I would use this opportunity with Steve to gain more understanding of the process.What do you think the best software ever written was?Windows operating system is definitely the best software that has ever been written. I am also impressed by the Active Directory multi-master replication model, even though it is not considered to be software. Virtual Server 2005 would be my second choice, because I am in awe regarding the level of virtualization that is possible.If you were the manager of Windows Server - Active Directory what would you change?Changes to the Active Directory schema in their current state are extremely difficult. What I would suggest is a more flexible approach to AD schema management. As an administrator, I would like to have the ability to not only deactivate schema objects, but also physically add and delete them. Also, I would like to have the ability to easily determine the size of a given object (or set of objects) within the AD database—this would be the sum of all attributes that define the object(s). I realize that this is possible today (utilizing some rather complex procedures), but what I would like to see is a tool that can do this on-demand for one or several objects at a time. | If you were given unlimited data bandwidth,what would you do with it?If I had access to unlimited data bandwidth, I would implement a system that would enable anyone to access his/her own personal computer workspace from a remote location. For example, my laptop has some detailed personal settings, and having access to a personal environment on the Internet would make this customized environment available to me without having to lug my laptop wherever I go.What was the last book you read?For the past few years, I have been reading only technical publications such as Windows 2000 Magazine (and a lot of white papers!), though Microsoft Windows Scripting Self-Paced Learning Guide by Ed Wilson was the last book I read. My most recent recreational read was Life of Piby Yann Martel.What music CD do you recommend?I prefer bands such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and Sisters of Mercy, but recently, I found that I gravitate toward a specific sound and listen to it for days on end until I discover something new. Right now, "Meteora" by Linkin Park is getting a lot of RPMs on my DVD drive.What makes you a great MVP?I have the passion to help others and also learn something through each new situation that I encounter. Even when faced with problems for which I do not have ready solutions, I am driven to reproduce the fault environments and investigate documentation so that I can arrive at the best solution possible. Also, I love new technology challenges! I’m a GOLD Windows 2003 MCSE, not only for the excitement that I enjoy with each major Microsoft release, but also for the challenges I face when problems are raised within communities.What’s in your computer bag?The contents of my computer bag frequently have assisted me through adversity and success. In it you’ll find: a Compaq laptop, a CD case with OS, Exchange, Citrix, ISA, and VisualStudio, .NET stuff, a 256MB pen drive, my MVP Swiss Army knife, a hand-made RJ45 Cross-cable and a Vodafone 386kb GSM Internet connect card. Soon I will enhance this stash by adding an extra laptop battery. | What’s the best thing that has happened since you’ve become an MVP?Specifically, the fact that my brief biography is listed on the Microsoft site provides a conduit through which I can meet many different people and network with peers. This is a great asset because public visibility serves as a valuable tool to meet people within my line of work. On a greater scope, the community involvement that is integral to the MVP program serves as a catalyst for technological achievements. What is your motto?My motto is "deus ex machina," a Latin phrase that translates to "god from a machine." The deus ex machina is a person or event that provides a solution to a considerably difficult situation, which simulates the feeling that I often have while working in the community. Sometimes I am the beneficiary of the deus ex machina and other times I serve as the deus ex machina—either way, I get a huge kick out of it!Who is your hero?I don’t have a specific hero, but I really admire anyone who altruistically helps others. I include my first and last names on all of my work, but will not accept any special treatment or use my personal e-mail, and every chat in which I participate is public so that anyone can provide criticism or input. I don’t expect to receive anything from those with whom I work — I just hope that the community benefits from the process of sharing information.What does success mean to you?Each success in my career has allowed me to become more specialized and to dedicate more time in the areas about which I care most. So, in that sense, success buys me time. However, acquiring technological knowledge is not an achievement that is facilitated in isolation. I have found that helping others with my own knowledge and also benefiting from others’ expertise is the best reward from success. |
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