What does MVP mean to you?Being an MVP means more than merely technical recognition for software skills since it is also an acknowledgement of contributions to the community. I consider the award to be both an honor and a great overall experience since the program offers a myriad of opportunities to help the community and to support its members in several ways. I am grateful to be simultaneously recognized as a technical expert and as a community supporter. Also, I feel proud that I was ranked in the same way that Microsoft ranks other excellent professionals in the U.S., Europe, Asia and other geographies throughout the world. Often people do a lot of hard work without being recognized and intellectually rewarded as I have been, though I have the MVP program to thank for this acknowledgement.If you could ask Steve Ballmer one question about Microsoft, what would it be?I would ask Steve not just one question, but a series of inquiries about Microsoft. But if I were pressed to ask only one, I would love to know, "How do you manage to promote constant innovation and change as well as manage such an impressive array of highly talented people in order to produce a high level of results and avoid becoming a boring, stagnant and bureaucratic corporation?"What do you think the best software ever written was?I think the best software ever written was the Web browser. It has truly revolutionized the Internet and almost everyone uses it in one of its forms. Of course, there is likely to be dissention in this matter, but when you think about it, it is the most used piece of software in the world and it has a profound impact on other technologies and platforms.If you were the manager of Visual C#, what would you change?If I were the manager of Visual C#, I would promote the use of the language in beginning-level programming courses. I would develop a series of introductory materials for academia and general audiences so that it would evolve to be education’s programming language of choice. | If you were given unlimited data bandwidth, what would you do with it?If I were given unlimited bandwidth, I would host a Gigantic Web Cache Server so I could increase the availability and speed of Web content to local communities. I also would use the bandwidth to provide free Internet access to underprivileged children who do not get the chance to access the Web in their schools.What was the last book you read?The last book I read was "Freakonomics: A rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything," by Steven Levitt. It provides a different perspective on correlation of events from a subtle economic point of view.What music CD do you recommend?I am hooked on 80’s music, so to be honest I would recommend "The Unforgettable Fire" by U2, but for more contemporary tastes I would recommend the latest U2 release.What makes you a great MVP?I would not be so presumptuous as to judge myself as a "great" MVP. Rather, I would say that I am extremely passionate about technology and am constantly exploring new ideas and innovative technologies. I would continue to support the Guatemalan and worldwide community and to help others even if I was not recognized for doing it. I really enjoy participating in open discussions about technology and passing useful information to others, and being an MVP has allowed me to participate with the community on a worldwide level. I like to share my knowledge at local events both in Guatemala and at worldwide events such as TechEd, PDC, Worldwide Partner Conference and other technical conferences. | What’s in your computer bag?My computer bag has the usual geek stuff (PDA, cell phone, and memory devices) plus chewing gum and the current gadget du jour.What is the best thing that has happened since you have become an MVP?The best thing that has happened to me as an MVP is the ability to interact with people whom I would never have had the chance to meet otherwise. For instance, I have been able to visit the Microsoft campus and interact with very smart people from the product groups and other technical communities.What is your motto?My motto is "Do the best that you can – Now." I admire people who live life like there is no tomorrow.Who is your hero?It might sound like a cliché and really corny, but I really do admire Bill Gates. Anyone technically involved in computing might have diverse and different opinions; however, no one can deny that he is the person who has provoked the biggest impact and most profound changes in our profession and has greatly affected the world at large.What does success mean to you?Success means that you have come to realize that the biggest challenge is to know one’s self. After you realize that given a different set of circumstances and challenges, the only constant is yourself and your values, you can measure yourself against any parameter imposed on you. As a result you will find that all measures are relative to what you think is right. In other words, you can achieve success if you have identified your personal goals and are determined to achieve them. |
